The Portland daily press., 1882-04-28
SHOCKING TRAGEDY.
The Terrible Treatment Of Two Little
Girls in Aroostook County.

Last Friday, says the North Star, the people
Of Fort Fairfield were appalled, to learn that in
their town o crime, exceeding that of murder
in cruelty, had been committed by two devils
in human form. 1t appears that about two
miles up the river above Fort Fairfield there
have lived man and woman by the name OF
Bean. Little is known of or about them. 1t
was known that they came there q few years
ago, end that in short time two little girls
came in on the train one night and were car
ried to Beams house. 1t is remembered by
several persons that these children were
healthy well nourished, and decently clad
Bean is known to own small farm, some
stock, and he pays his bills in the village,
which he occasionally visits to trade.
For year past vague rumors have been
afloat that the children were not well used.
These rumors have lately been coming faster
and of more definite character, till the over
seers OF the poor decided to inquire into the
matter. Therefore, last Friday they, IN COM
pany with Deputy Sheriff Estabrook, visited
Beams house. Upon being admitted they
found the woman, who was at once taken into
custody. One Of the little girls, aged about
seven years, was sitting by the stove, dazed
and stupid idiot, clothed in filthy rags that
scarce covered her little body An examina-
ton revealed the body sore mass of wales,
bruises and scars. 1t was difficult to find
three inches of sound skin from her head to
her feet. One hand had huge blister, but
whether from blow or burn could not be
ascertained. Upon the head was large abb
cess Of very disgusting appearance, while the
hair was entirely Off the head, having the APP
pearanee of its being at some time pulled out.
The body was so emaciated that she had the
appearance Of having been long in starving
condition, though her many and serious
wounds would be sufficient to account for ema.
citation. From bright and natural child she
had become idiotic, being unable to talk more
than to answer yes or no to the questions
asked
frightfully mangled, though enough to move
the strongest men to tears at the sight. One
ear was liberated, and had the appearance OF
having been violently pulled. One OF her
hands was blstered and liberated, while one
foot was in such condition that she could
only touch the toes to the floor The hair was
gone from her head also.
The children, with the man and woman
were brought to the village. Monday, Bean
and his wife were arraigned before Justice
Perry. They waived examination and were
bound OVERHEAD in the sum of $1,000, and
the woman in the sum of $500. In default OF
bail they were committed to jail to await the
action of the grand jury.
The entire community in which this atroci-
ous deed was committed is excited to the ut
most point of tension, and it was feared at the
examination that the bonds of prudence would
be overleaped and summary and terrible pun
ishment melted out to the guilty and craven
gretchss.
1t now comes out that many Of the neigh
bors were knowing to some extent, of the cru
sr "a TIE OF a4 san s9 not
speak OF the matter, or in any way interfere.
Ii seems that che fiends, Bean and his virago,
or so-cailed cellar, under the house, put down
the trap door and rug over this keeping them
there in the dark and cold all day. Again,
these children have been seen carrying wood
in the cold, and miserably clad, till they would
fall down with exhaustion. 1t is said that
the children are Beams by a former wife, now