Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1883-11-29
Horrible Crime in Kittery.

Horrible Crime in Kittery.
On the morning of Thursday, Nov. Is,
considerable excitement was caused in the
town of kittery, BY a report that Thomas
Barrows Of the Cate farm of that place had
shot himself on the evening before that day.
| The full details of suicide were related by
the wife Of the deceased in such circum-
stantial manner as to leave little doubt for
time. that her statements were true.
Soon, however, other facts came TO light
which led to the suspicion that horrible
crime had been committed, and pointed to
the widow of the deceased and her son-in-
law, Oscar f. Blaney, as the perpetrators.
After sufficient evidence had been obtained,
Mrs. Barrows was visited BY the officers who
related to her the chain of evidence they had
obtained and pointed out to her the incon-
sistences Of her own story. She, at length,
broke down and made a partial confession
of the crime duplicating Young Blaney.
The officers took Mrs. Barrows to the
house Of her son-in-law, Blaney, Saturday
| morning. The whole story was repeated
to him, and the evidence which demonstrate
ed that the story told BY HIM and his mother
n-law could not be true was presented 10
him. He was then told the story which
Mrs Barrows had related to which he said
nothing, but sat with his face bowed in his
hands, Mrs Barrows told him that he had
better tell the truth, as it would all come
out. Young Blaney then related the troubles
which had occurred in the family because Of
Barrows said that he had fought with Bar
rows at one time in self-defence that his
wife had been abused by her stepfather. and
that he had become almost crazy over it.
He stated that Mrs Barrows had said TO HIM
a great many times that she wished her
husband was out of the way, and others had
said SO to him. On Saturday before the
murder, the 10th of November, Blaney went
TO Dover and bought a revolver. lie had
been carrying - caliber weapon. but did
not dare trust TO that Barrows was
dangerous man. He therefore bough,
3S-caliber revolver and received with II one
cartridge, in order that he might try il. He
then went 10 Portsmouth and bought six
cartridges. He put four Of the seven
cartridges he possessed into the revolver
when ne got home, and ne hid the weapon
On Wednesday evening, the l4th inst, the
night of the murder. as he was coming over
kitlerv bridge from his work on the rail-
road, he saw Barrows going toward kittery,
and knew that he would not be gone long
He went home and procured his supper
Then he secured his revolver and walked
leisurtly down the road toward the Cate
farm On his way there he discharged one
barrel of his pistol at a post, in order to see
if the weapon was in order. Proceeding TO
the nome OF Barrows. he concealed himself
under a shed attached to the barn and
awaited his victim. Shortly aflerward
Barrows came out with a lantern to go to
the barn and advanced within 10 feet of
where he stood. He immediately opened
fire, discharging four shots. three of which,
he thinks, took effect. He Immediately
dropped the pistol, and, seeing Barrows
craving toward the house. started for home
on run. When he got home, he took off
his shoes and sat before the fire. After
time. he heard rap at the door. Opening
il. he saw his mo,her-in-law. Mrs. Barrows,
who told him that Thomas had shot himself,
but tina; he was not dead She wanted him
to hitch up his horse and 20 back with her.
He did as ste requested.
Before he left the house he procured the
two remaining cartridges. When they drove
through the gate by the barn, Mrs. Barrows.
in gettin. out Of the wagon, stepped oil 4
lantern. and. when il was lighted, he dis
covered his pistol lyins on the ground. He
picked il up, whereupon, he states, Mrs.
Burrows SAID to him tina, he must ''go in
and finish him'' or he would tell who did the
shooting. He took the lantern, loaded his
pistol and went into the house. leaving Mrs.
Barrows outside. As he entered the paror,
he saw BaTrows siilin. on the side Of the
bed IL the bedroom, grooming. Barrows
said. Oscar guess | will 20 soon Blaney
answered. 'les. Your time has come now"
Gnd fired a shot. which took effect IN
Barrow>' left Eip, fracturing the bone.
BaIrows screamed in agonv as the shot
struck him and raised himself up on his
right arm. Bianey again raised his pistol,
aiming a. Barrow's head. lns,antancuusly,
Barrow> raised his left arm to ward of th.
shot. A. he did So. BiaEey fired, the ball
sha;iering the bone of the ,ictlni's left arm
below the elbow. passing through it and
entering the brain through the left side of
the head. Barrows dropped back dead.
The shot which was fired into the left hip
went through il and lodged in the bed cloth
ing. and was discovered by the officers
After Blaney had accomplished his work,
he went to the barn where he left Mrs.
Barrows. and they together went and reused
the neishbors.
This statement OF Blaney and the story of
Mrs. Barrows were taken in writing by the
agents Of Wiggin 4 Woods detective
agency, and the murdcrers were arrested.
Later in the day the, were arraiyued before
= trial justice on charge OF murder. Blanev
pleaded guilt, to murder in the frs, degree,
and Mrs. Barrows to being an accessory be-
fore and after the fact, ard both were COM
mitted to the Alfred jail.