The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-06-29
BY TELEGRAPH.
PROBABLE MURDER.
A Man Found in the Saco River
WITH A BULLET THROUGH HIS HEAD.
Robbery the Supposed Motive Of the
Murderers.

BDDEFoRD, June 2S.-The body of an un-
known man was found this morning about six
O'Clock in Saco river near the Saco end of the
Eastern Railroad bridge over the Saco river at
this place. Upon the body was letter adj
dressed to j. 7. Currier, Old Orchard, Me-.
signed James or Jennie, and posted at Pitts
deld, Mass, dated June 81. There was also a
card on his person of an Alfred livery stable
keeper. The man was about %, well dressed,
with dark brown hair, and of medium height.
There are severa! bruises and cuts about the
head and neck, and, while it is possible that he
might have been struck by passing train or
have fallen from the bridge, there are many
VINO think otherwise and suspect foul play
The Waterman at the Eastern depot, Bidde-
ford, says that between one and half-past one
he heard voices near the depot, 1t is said that
wound In the head has the appearance of a
bullet wound.
LATER.
Inc body OF the man found near the Eastern
Railroad bridge in Saco this morning proves to
be that of John Currier of Old Orchard, Cur
rier was Il years of age, and the son of David
Cnrrier OF that place. He had been at work
In Massachusetts, the past three years. having
returned home about three weeks ago. Four
days ago John told the postmaster at Old
orchard that he was expecting letter under
an assumed name and requested the postmas-
tor to hold it for him. The letter came and was
hoid as requested, but whom it was from is yet
unknown.
jury was summoned by Coroner Jefferson
and the following facts elected:
Saturday afternoon he left his fathers house
with roll OF something like paper and took
the six o'clock train for Saco. Arriving at
saco he took room at the Saco House. where
ne took lunch and spent considerable time in
writing. He told them there that he was ex-
pecting to meet some one. On paying his bills
ne exhibited considerable silver coin. He
went into the billiard hall, requesting that
anyone who should call for him be sent there
but nothing more was heard from him. This
morning the Waterman at the Eastern depot
heard persons pass back of the freight house
who are supposed to have taken the Pullman
train, as the body was found near there. These
men are supposed to have been the murder. rs.
The body exhibited scratches commencing on
the throat and extending across the face to the
mar. The head being opened bullet was
found near the right temple. The nose was
also broken. His pocket-book was entirely
empty, his watch gone as well as revolver
which he carried with him. He usually car
ried considerable money with him, but always
In an inside pocket of his vest. When found
the pocket-book was in an outside pocket of
his coat. This gives color to the murder
theory. The body when found lay in about six
feet OF water, the hands clutching the tall
grass, from which il was evident that he was
alive when he entered the water. The sur
geons say that with the bullet wound alone he
would have lived several weeks.
In accordance with these facts the Jury con-
cluded it to be case of murder.