The Portland daily press., 1884-09-06

Thomas j. Libby Shoots Lydia o. Snow
and Then Attempts Suicide-Hardly an
Even Chance for His RecOvery-The Old
Story, lust and Wine.

~ A~"
abilities contracted in the service After the
war he married New Orleans lady, New
Hampshire girl by birth, Miss Harriet A.
Farrah, whom he brought home with him, and
who has assisted him in the management of
his summer hotel which has been favorite
resort. By her he has had six children. Mrs.
Libby is lady of high character and an in
valid.
Some time ago Mr.. Libby began to indulge
in drink aud finally, at the beginning of last
winter, his wife induced him to sign the pledge
which, we understand, he kept faithfully un-
til the beginning of this summer. On the
Fourth of July last, according to the state
ment of brother OF Lydia s. Snow-the vic
tim of the tragedy we shall relate-this same
Lydia went to Mr.. Lbby's hotel in the capacity
OF table girl. Since that time Mr.. Libby has
drank more or less and after remaining there
six weeks, Lydia went to the Mountains to
hire out. The family of Shows, to which
Lydia belongs, is located at Pine Point, and
has always been exceedingly respected by all
who know them. A year ago Lydia, whose
department had always been correct, went to
Provincetown, Mass, to live out, and, since
her return, there has been, we understand,
suspicion on the part of some of her relatives
that she had changed somewhat in her method
of life.
Five days ago Lydia went to her brothers.,
Freeman A. Shows, at Pine Point. Lydia re.
manned until Thursday last at her brothers.,
when she left for Portland by the 1926 D. m.
train, saying she was coming to Portland and
should take little vacation, and 20 to Peaks
Island Friday. Before she left she said to
Mrs Snow, II expect to be shot, and what
things of mine leave here will give to you
ii anything happens to me-" Mrs Snow
thought nothing of what Lydia said, as she
considered her rather lght-headed, and
furthermore the girl spoke in joking way.
Such is the story told by Mr.. Freeman A.
Snow.
Mrs. Thomas j. Libby says that Lydia Snow
engaged as table girl at the West Point House
June 29th, and remained in that capacity I'M
til Saturday, August I'd. That during that
time she never had any occasion to suspect her
husband of any intimacy with Lydia Snow or
any other woman. On the Saturday in aues-
ton her husband discharged the girl because,
as he said, she was lewd person, and one Of
the sons harnessed up the horse in the wagon
and took Lydia to some one of the neighbors,
and that is the last she saw of her. Her hus-
band left the house Thursday about u O'Clock,
and was then full of jokes and laughter, and
that is the last she saw of him until the dread
full news of yesterday brought her to town.
She went to see him, but he could not recoQ-
nize her.
1t appears that Mr.. Libby when he left the
house on Thursday drove to the city, put up
his horse at Wilson's stable on Federal street,
and then went to Hays restaurant in his shirt
sleeves, and had his dinner. The person in
charge says he had been drinking. 1t is prob
able that Lydia had been Joined afterwards
by Libby. for the two went to the house of Mr.,
George f. Stevens, baggage expressman at
Ferry Village, and stayed there all the evening
until 1870 o'clock; that is Lydia stayed there,
while Libby went to the hall to take his third
degree as Knight of Pythias. but he was so
full OF liquor that he was not allowed to do so.
About 11.30 p. m. Mr.. Libby and Lydia arriy-
ed at the City Hotel in Portland, and took
room, which Mr.. George Robinson gave
them, supposing they were man and wife.
About O'Clock yesterday morning the bell of
their room rang, and it was answered by
w. f. Pingree, who was on night
duty. Mr.. Libby asked Pingree to
bring him some liquor. Plngree said he had
none, and Libby then asked for ice water,
pitcher of which was furnished him. The
woman was in bed, and Libby was partially
dressed. About 7.30, the room bell rang
again, and Pingree answered it. Both Libby
and Lydia were dressed, and Lydia was ar.
ranging her hair at the mirror, while Libby Law
across the foot Of the bed. When he entered.
the woman asked him to take away pistol
then in Libby's hands. Pingree said, "I can't
take it away from him, but will get some one
from the Office" He then went ont quickly,
as Libby cooked and pointed the pistol at him
and he thought he would be shot, shutting the
door after him. A second later he heard four
SHOTS from the room, three of them in quick
succession, and then an interval before the
fourth. He heard short, sharp scream from
the woman He ran back, and stepping into a
chair, looked over the door through the venti-
lator, and saw the woman lying on the floor
but could not see Libby. He ran down stairs
into the office, and told them there to notify
the police. When be went to the room at
O'Clock, the man appeared perfectly calm and
not under the influence of liquor. Libby did
not appear drunk in the morning. when
Pingree found him lying on the bed, but he
was surly and cross.
The oficers-Deputy Crowell, officers Han
son and Langmaid- got into the room by the
rear window. Lydia laid in a pool of blood on
the floor, dressed, with part of her jswelry on,
and by her side Libby was lying dressed in his
trousers and shirt, his coat and vest lying on
chair close at hand. He had gold watch and
$135 in money. The woman was dead, the
man in q dazed and incoherent state. The
dead body of the woman was taken to Rich's
shop. The man was taken to the station and
City Physician, DR.. Charles D. Smith, called.
He considered, from the nature of the mans
wounds he could not live, and the man was
taken to the jail in Rich's ambulance and DR..
T. A. Foster, the Jail surgeon summoned. The
examination of Libby's wounds by Dr.. Smith
showed he had shot himself through the right
ear, the wound penetrating the base OF the
skull and upon examination the doctor was
satisfied that the skull was perforated, and that
the bullet remained in the brain. There was
evidence of internal hemorrhage and fresh
blood was oozing from the ear. Libby was in
coherent, could give no satisfactory account of
himself, and, after one brief period of semi
lucidity relapsed into incoherence, but not
into unconscioasness. DR.. Smith didn't think
Libby had an even chance for recovery Dr.
Foster did not think he had more than an even
chance, If as much.
Mr.. A. F. Moulton, who had been a legal
adviser of Libby's, and knew him very well
rode from the station to the Jail in the ambu-
lance with him. AT times he would say "don't
handle me so rough, boys" At the jail Libby
continually complained of his head and Mr..
Moulton placed upon it wet towel. Then
occurred a lucid moment He recognized Mr..
Moulton and cried out "What is this? A cell?
A Jail? My God what does this mean?" He
evidently had no knowledge of what had oc-
Cured He was persuaded an accident had
happened and lay back en- the bed only to re-
lapse into incoherency and complain as before
of his head.
At Rich's DR.. F. H.Gerrish, assisted by Drs.