The Portland daily press., 1880-09-20

of stature, slight build and was evidently much
excited One hand is crippled, it is said from
disease. He told the following story.
Ny name is John George Farr. was born
in London, England, and shall be So years old
next October. I came to this country just af-
ter the civil war, and have been following the
sea as cook the greater portion of the time
since eight years ago this summer, when I
married Eliza Milliken in the city of Rock
land. We lived together until about three
years ago, L. in the meantime, going to sea-
About this time had trouble with her and
she came to Portland and went back to Lon
don on voyage. On my return to this coun-
try, came to Portland, met her, and we stop-
ped at the Commercial House together. 1
life, and we separated again. We have one
child, boy seven years of age. Until within
short time have been employed as n cook
at the Marine Hospital.
Last Monday morning arrived in port ON
the schooner Congress of Bath. I shipped on
her as cook three weeks ago, and have been
one voyage to New York. Last Monday
morning left the vessel and came ashore to
take some washing to Mrs. Piper's at Wood.
ford's Corner, with whom had at one time
boarded, previous to my marriage. 1 then
went to Browns saloon and had some photo-
graphs taken. I then went to Mrs. Cola
more's on Newbury street, who is relative of
my wife. l got acquainted with my wife
through her. stayed there until went back
to the ship. While there Mrs. Collamore
her. told her no. and that did not know
she was in town. Mrs. Collamore said she
lived on State tstreet, and that she had been
to the house twice since her return from Old
Orchard, where she had been at work the past
season. She said my wife had rented a board
81 q I locf
Christmas, and found her keeping bad
house on India street. With the aid of the
police broke it up.
Tuesday went again to Mrs. Collamore's
and she told me my wife had been there and
wanted to see me. This was late in the after
noon. told her I did not think it best for us
to meet. My wife wanted picture of our
child. had given her one once before. I
thought no good could come of our meeting,
as on previous occasion she had tormented
me- Finally Mrs. G. spoke disparagingly of
my wife, and advised me not to see her.
then went to Charles Spencer's on India street.
Came back and walked up the street with Mrs
Collamores son, and then returned to the YES
sci.
Wednesday was spent in about the same way
as Tuesday, but on Thursday was on board
ship all day. That night I threw the revolver
/ had into the Dock as had presentiment
of trouble coming Thursday evening went
to Mrs. Collamore's and found my wife there.
W. SPOKE duQ SuOOk uaQQS. w nile El0 was
out Of the room for a moment left the house
quietly, walked up and leaned against tree.
She soon came out, Joined me, and we walked
up through the park to Congress street, and
up Congress street to the head of Free street.
1 changed my mind after leaving the house.
because was afraid might do wrong if 1
left her in such way. She asked after the
child and her folks in Rockland, and we talk
ed over old times. She said that she loved
me; that she would return to her folks and be
a good woman. She said she mad written to
her sister and to Mrs. Aytoun at Rockland
the week previous, and that she had about
made up her mind to go to Boston and lead a
wicked life. showed her the child's picture,
and told her it was with Mrs. Berry, a lady
who adopted it in Rockland My wife wanted
it sent to the poorhouse at the time we sepa-
rated. | asked her to 60 down to the vessel
and she did SO. We went on board, into the
cabin, and had long talk. She wanted to
come back to me-. told her 1 would for
ter's in Rockland, would pay her board
for the winter, and if all was right next
spring we would live together again. She
took off her hat and shawl and sat down
in my lap. She asked me if I had any money.
I told her only about four dollars, but that If
she would come down the next night would
give her the money to pay her fare on the boat
to Rockland. She said she had always been
faithful We had dispute about the truth of
the statement 1 told her had tried to get
away AAOu uOI, out IL oil0 WAS uOu0SL III IuGur0
all would be well. She said she lived on State
street, and I walked up with her. She would
not let me 60 to the house, as she said she was
passing as single woman, and it would COM
promise her to be seen with me-. When we
parted we kissed each other three times and 1
gave her the child's picture She left me and
/ went back to the ship.
Tonight waited for her until o'clock and
she did not come. then took the captains
revolver and started off. went to the Friend
1xyT xrrba c1,1 0hoI
man there for her address. He wrote it on a
piece OF paper and gave it to me. By this she
was living at the corner of Free and Center
street, and went there. There is a store be-
low, and went in there and bought cigar.
I had previously bought bottle of liquor from
another place and took drink from it. That
was all drank. went up stairs into sit
ting room where there were two ladies' I
asked for my wife. One of them went up
stairs and soon heard my wife's voice. fol-
lowed on up the stairs. When she saw me she
shut the door and held it, but I broke into the
room. There was man lying on the bed.
said, "Hold on, Lide, this has gone too far"
She ran by me, out into the hall, and started
down the stairs. fired at her twice on the
stairs. At the foot of the stairs she ran into
more shots Then 1 sat down and the officers
came and ironed me. I made no resistance.
| expect to be hung. I only hope to be buried
beside her. loved her, but she has ruined
me and made me cripple. She had been
married before she married me to a steward on
the Bangor boat, whose name was William
Brittle. I did not know this until about two
yeart ago. Brittle is good man and 1 am
now acquainted with him. He had daugh-
ter by her, who is bright girl, woman-grown
since she left me. 1t sickened and died and
buried it, That is all have to say.
CONCLUSION.
The murder was cold-blooded. cowardly af
fair. The man, according to his own state
ment, had found the woman false to him in
the past and separated from her. At this late
day he felt called upon to kill her in cold
blood. He had not even the excuse of drunk
enness. The officers said his breath had no
o1or of liquor, and he himself said he had
taken but one drink. He talked about loving
his wife and wanting to be buried side of her.
If he had been SO anxious why did he not save
bullet in his revolver for himself? AS for the
woman she seems to have been ION her make"
and the first thing she asked her husband, &C.
cording to his story, when they were aboard
the vessel vas "if he had any money" 1t
was evident she wasn't worth the killing un-
der any circumstances.
Coroner Gould will hold an inquest this
morning. Undertaken Rich has the remains
in charge. Numbers of men hung around his
shop yesterday.
Personal
Messrs. A. D. Smith and W. H. Smith have
gone to Toronto to attend the session of the
Sovereign Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows which
is to be held in that city this week.