The Portland daily press., 1879-07-18
by TELEGRAPH.
THE TEMPLE MYSTERY.
Detective Head Solves 1t.
The Farewell Letter OF an Insane Man
He Deliberately Makes His Grave
in the Swamp. yls EEa 90
THE TEMPLE MYSTERY.
Detective Head Solves 1t.
Especial Despatch to the Press


PENNINGTON, July 1.-THE mysterious dis
appearance of Mr.. Lewis NJ. Libby of Temple,
June 2Sth, which has caused such intense
excitement throughout this county has at last
been made clear through the persistent efforts
of Detective John S. Head of Portland.
Mr.. Head who was in town previous and
during the inquest was intensely interested in
the case and was confident that foul play had
been committed. The disagreement of the
jury at the corners inquest left the case in
such state as to justify County Attorney
Field in further investigation to unravel it if
possible, and in accordance with instructions
from the attorney Mr.. Head has been steadily
at work. Wednesday afternoon he went back
to the scene of the tragedy Saturday morning
he started for Portland, and the result of his
work has just come out. He was ably second
ed in his labors by Deputy Sheriff F. A.
Conant and County Attorney Field.
In the first place he carefully scrutinized the
corn field, then the direction Mr.. Libby was
reported by Howe to have taken when he left
the field, and finally the place in which the
body was found. This latter place was con-
siderably different in form from what it was
those who first discovered Libby's body that
the dimensions of the hole had been stated
wrongly that the aperture was considerably
larger, and that the hole itself was much
larger. In fact now that the excitement has
somewhat subsidized, and COMMON sense has
succeeded the excitement which caused the
circulation of many highly colored stories, the
whole tale is given in an entirely different
light.
Mr.. Head dipped out from this hole in
which Libby's body was found .fce hundred
pals of water and then there were something
like hundred more. The missing hat has
not yet been found, but disclosures show no
necessity of hunting more for it.
Then Mr.. Head directed his search towards
the interior of Libbys cabin and almost in
stanty came upon letter directed to the pub
lie, also another one addressed to the Judge of
the S. J. Court Of Franklin county. These
epistles were found in an atlas where Libby
kept his stationery, and had been overlooked
by his brother. Mr.. Head also came across
several other papers of value which had also
been overlooked.
The following is a copy of Libby's fare
we'll letter to the public:
STATEMENT OF FACTS BY L. NJ LIBBY
have been badly swindled. 1 ask every
ones pardon and bid the world good bye
am guilty of beastlyness, that do not de-
ny. am not guilty of swindling or cheating
the town, or of burning any building or of
having anything to do with the ruin of my
syster or any other woman. am ruptured
later, 1874, the rupture appeared when 1 was
breaking road and trying to stop a team of
runaway steers. LEWIS M. LIBBY.
Temple, June IA, 70.
On another sheet was the following to the
Judge of the S. J. Court:
TO THE HON. JUDGE.
suppose you are undecided in regard to my
sanity. / think it is increasing fast
LEWIS M. LIBBY,
late of Temple.
The letter to the Judge evidently had not
exactly suited Mr.. Libby, as it looked as
though he had crumpled it up in his hands
with the intention of throwing it away
The genuineness of these letters are verified
by the manufacturers mark upon the station
ery-several documents which Libby had
written in times past, while selectman, and
hled in their office, bearing the same mark
while Libby's signature exactly corresponds
with that affixed to town orders given during
the three years he was selectman.
A Mr.. Mitchell of Temple, now states that
he went to Mr.. Libby, day or two before his
disappearance, to borrow $50, but could get
only $45, Libby saying he expected to receive
some in few days and would then let him
have the balance. This proves he had no
spare money about him at the time of his
death.
The above facts prove pretty concusively
that Libby died by his own hand, and tend
strongly to confirm Howes story told at and
before the inquest.
This solution of the affair will put a ouietus
upon the idle rumors witch have been circu-
lated without number, coupling Howe with
the affair as an accomplice in his murder. This
Howe, though his record for truth and honesty
may not be first class, is evidently a hard work.
ing man land devoted to his family. He was Lib
by's main stay, and Libby was his also. He
has worked for Libby more or less every year,
and has always given good satisfaction. Howe
doptless knew that suspicion was directed to-
ward him, as he was the last person seen with
Libby previous to his disappearance; and what
is more than natural that he should(while testi-
Tying upon the stand, with the eyes of coroner,
jury and people upon him) exhibit some sign
OF agitation. Nevertheless, Howe told clear
and straightforward story and did not las has
peen reported) cross himself in any important
testimony. He labored under great difficulty,
however, in making himself understood, on ac-
count OF his hare-lip and impediment in his
speech beside.
Mr. Head is entitled to great credit in thus
clearing away the cloud of mystery which has
hung over this lamentable affair.
THE SALTWATER OUTRAGE.