Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-11-10
MAINE NEWS by TELEGRAPH.
ANOTHER MURDER IN PEM0B-
SCOT VALLEY.
JAMES J. NORRIS THE
VICTIM.
HIS DEAD BODY FOUND BY THE
ROADSIDE.
MAINE NEWS by TELEGRAPH.
THE MURDERER ARRESTED.

BANGOR, November ., 1919 MT. james D.
Norris, agent for Cutler & Eddy's saw mill,
was murdered in cold blood last night, and
early this morning his dead body was found
by the roadside in Bradley. His head was
much mangled and his throat cut from ear to
ear.
\ revolving sight was presented to those
who discovered him. There was hole in
the back of his head where he had been struck
by some heavy weapon, probably an axe, and
the skull had been crushed in. This blow
was enough to end the life of the unfortunate
man, but in the haste to make death certain.
the murderer then cut the throat of the vic
taken in charge and carried to a suitable
place.
Bradley is on the east side of the Penob-
scot river, and about ten miles to the north
ward of Bangor. 1t is very often known as
East Great Works and the post office bears
the name of Great Works. The principal
business centres around the saw mills.
These mills are of large capacity. One part
of the mills is run by Messrs Cutler & Eddy
of Bangor, and the other portion by Messrs.
L. & F. II. Strickland, also of this city
Mr. Norris lived at a large boarding house
about quarter of mile from the mills. He
had an Office close by the mill where he
transacted the business of the company. He
went down to the Office after supper last
evening. He left light burning in his room
at the boarding house. He is supposed to
have left his office about nine o'clock last
night to go home. He carried a lantern with
him. His dead body was found about half
way between the office and his home. 1t is
probable that he was attacked from behind
and that the heavy blow on the back of the
head was the first warning that he had of
what was in store for him.
The victim of this terrible crime was ris
ing sixty years of age. He was widely known
throughout the Penobscot Valley.
There were numerous rumors abroad soon
in regard to the author of this shocking
tragedy. Suspicion soon fell on a French
man who had some trouble with Norris. He
was known as a quarrelsome fellow and had
been discharged few days before by Norris.
He was finally employed by the company to
manufacture latls but was discharged again
disturbance several times at the boarding
house, and Mr.. Norris was very particular
that everything should be neat and orderly
and reprimanded him. This fellow seemed
m tb;nt that Norris was th,. causa of all his
trouble, and was loud in his denunciation of
him.
The suspicion in regard to the Frenchman
was still further increased by his sudden de-
parture. He crossed the river during the
night to West Great Works and skipped out
of town the first thing this morning on the
early train. The station agent said he put in
an appearance the night before and wanted
his baggage checked through to Canada, but
the baggage master said he would not do it
till morning. As stated above he took the
early train for Bangor, arriving here a few
minutes past seven o'clock this morning. He
said he was out of work and was going to
Canada
took passage in the morning train over the
Maine Central Railroad. 1t was thought that
the suspicious were strong enough to hold
him, and the proper authorities telegraphed
to places on the line of the Maine Central
Railroad.
Upon arrival of the Maine Central train at
Newport this forenoon, constable Dow en-
tered the train and arrested the Frenchman
in accordance with orders by telegraph from
this city Constable Dow kept the man in
custody till the mixed train for this city ar
rived in Newport, and then he brought him
to Bangor.
The prisoner and his baggage were taken
to the police station. The officers then made
thorough examination of his clothing and
baggage. A new suit Of clothes was pur-
chased for him at one of the clothing deal
crs and his old clothes were all taken from
him. Spots of blood were found upon his
coat, pants and hat A little blood was also
found upon one of the rubbers which he wore.
Something which appeared to be blood was
also found upon ten dollar bill which he had.
He had S72.95 in his possession The bloody
clothes were placed in trunk and locked.
After the examination at the station house,
the prisoner was taken to the county Jail and
there was given cell in the dungeon row
He is a fellow of medium height, but of more
than ordinary strength He is about twenty
five years of age. His name is Joseph
Belcher. He denies all knowledge of the muir
der He says he left Bradley at four o'clock
yesterday afternoon, and crossed to Great
West Works. He says he staid out all night
near the furnace. The reason he gives for
staying out all night is that he did not want
to pay out the money for his lodgings. He
SAYS he bought his ticket at Oldtown.
There can be no doubt of the guilt of
Belcher. While he refuses to acknowledge
his great crime, everything points to him as
the murderer. He is a desperate character,
and while at Bradley has several times
threatened to take the lives of men.
| examination of the office shows that no