Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-02-01

been so used. What, then, did cause the
death? The shock of the attack and threat
ened torture might cause it, possibly. Was
1t poison? If so, he must have procured il
himself, and taken it voluntarily, as il is not
within the bounds of reason that burglars and
murderers, in case like this, would have ad-
miinistered it to him.
The physicians who attended him admins
tered antidotes for poison, such as belladon-
ma, cold coffee, &C., but without avail, and as
they especially noted the appearance of poi
soning, and remarked at the time that Mr.
Barron must have been drugged. This the
detectives think was the fact.
post norton examination was very much
desired at the time, by the physicians and de-
tectives. If it had been had, it would have
settled this question beyond doubt. Mr..
Barron's family would not consent, and the
examination was not had.
This fact of poisoning, if it be established
or assumed, brings up another question for
consideration. All the little details Of prep
aration must have been arranged to convince
the world that he died as hero in defense of
his trust. That idea must have been his con-
trolling purpose. The taking Of poison seems
most inconsistent with this, as it is furnishing
an evidence of his hypocrisy, which all the
other parts of his arrangements are, as moth
ing to overcome.
All the details must have been the result of
the most painstaking forethought. Would
not the same forethought have provided a
death by means more consistent? With the
deception he seeks to practice, he must have
anticipated discovery of the fraud, if it be
true that he took poison as q means of pro-
ducing death.
Another very important fact to be weighed
in judging upon the matter, is that of the mo-
tive. What could have induced Mr.. Barron
to commit such a wrong against himself, his
family and the community? His whole life
had been one of truth and uprightness, and in
supposed to have met, but not consistent with
the theory which is now set up. There must
have been cause of no ordinary consequence
to impel the deed, and it must have been one
for some time foreseen by him, else he could
not have been provided with the handouts,
which were so necessary a part of his plan.
The cause most naturally assigned is that his
accounts with the bank had not been truthful,
and that he was defaulter.
Mr.. Barron was man of some means be-
fore he had anything to do with the bank 1t
does not appear that his property was much
increased after he became connected with it.
is known, nor in any sort of business in which
he could have lost much money. His habits
of living were simple and economical to an
uncommon degree. His salary and the in
ness Of others, settling estates, &C., must
have provided for all his expenses of living
1t is hard to see what cause could have led to
an appropriation of the funds Of the bank by
him. That they were so appropriated is not
yet clear to the public. At the time of the
tragedy there were various announcements of
the amounts lost. First, that it was less than
$780, then 1928, then nearly $500, and at
last settled down at some SllOO. This last
was supposed to be derived from an exhaust
i've examination of Mr.. Barron's accounts,
and the transactions of the bank. There have
been plenty of examinations since that time,
the bank being in the hands of the court in
quasi bankruptcy proceedings, and in none of
these has a deficiency in Mr.. Barron's ac-
counts been made apparent.
Since the detectives have suggested sui
eide, an overhaulng of the books of the bank
has been had by skillful accountant, in or
der to discover the motive.
Whether it has been found or not is not yet
made public; still it is not at all reasonable
that any such irregularity could exist, that
with his property, which lay before the eyes
Of every man in Dexter, he could not have
easily made whole, and the bank, in all these
examinations would not easily discover it.
When the authoritative announcement of a
serious defalcation on the part of Mr.. Barron
is made, and it appears to be really well
grounded then will the public believe it pos
sible that Mr.. Barron might have committed
suicide.
If the fact of poisoning shall be establish
ed by examination of the stomach or other
wise, that will pretty effectually decide the
case against him. but in view of all the cir
cumstances, his correct habits and upright
character, the lack of anything in his ways
Of living or business to cause deficiency
and furnish motive for the act, and the de-
tails which accompanied the sad event,
which it is hardly possible could have been
all foreseen and provided by him for such a
purpose; it seems only justice to the man
not to tear him ruthlessly from the high pin
nacle on which his supposed heroism placed
him, but to wait with calmness of Judgment
until some substantial proof is given that he
died by his own hand. If that be true it can
be easily proved. Let us await the facts.
Mrs. Barron is said to be in most excited
historical and alarming condition as the re-
suit of the terrible suspicious afoat against
her deceased husbands memory.
NEW HAMPSHIRE.