Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-10-28
WAS 1T MURDER?
Human Bones Exhumed in the Chelsea
Woods.
Disappearance of Gabriel Labelle Five
Years Ago.
Another Black Mark Against the Togus
BrotheIS.

sunday forenoon quantity of human
bones were dug up from shallow grave in
the gloomy depths of the T0gus forests found
in condition indicating that at some not
very far distant day murder had been per-
petrated. The fragments of bone discovered
are now believed 10 be the only existing re-
mains OF Gabriel Labelle, who disappeared
from Togus, five years ago the 18th day of
May, under suspicious circumstances La
belle boarded at the residence of one Wood
bury, beyond the Home, and had been an in.
mate of that institution On the day in
question he
Left Woodbury. House.
saying that he was going into the woods
about mile from the Home where he was to
be met by certain individual, who was 10
leave him quantity of liquor under
tree. This was the last time he was
discovered. Suspicion was directed towards
several men as the murderers, and careful
investigation
was Instituted at the time, but without avail.
1t Vas believed at the time that the missing
man had been murdered. Shortly before his
disappearance considerable arearages of
pension money had fallen to him, and he was
supposed to have the money in his possession.
But as it proved the larger portion was de-
posted in the Augusta Savings Bank, where
1t now remains. G. c. Vose Esq, is admin
istrator on the property. Two sisters of La
belle are now residing in Montreal Canada
where the missing man hailed from. and the
property will eventually tall to them Sun
day forenoon
Revelations Were Mad.
which it is believed throws some light on the
mystery. Last week. Sheriff Cobb, whose
connection with the Malloy shooting case is
well remembered, was informed by one Ed
ward Robbins Of Chelsea, that there was a
mysterious grave in the woods back of Peleg
Crocker's house, and intimated that it might
clear up the disappearance of Labelle, Ac-
cordingy the above officer, accompanied by
Deputy Sheriff Ames and James L. Blanch-
ard Of Chelsea, took implements for digging
and Sunday forenoon
Proceeded to the Elste.
described by Robbins 1t was in the depths
of the forest, on the Jonathan Leighton estate,
and about quarter Of mile south from Peeg
Crocker's house which is located on the Hal
lowell road in Chelsea about a mile from the
Togus Home aud not far distant from the
scene of the Malloy murder. just on the edge
6 &
trees appeared
slightly Raised Mound,
covered with Hat rocks, much different from
other stones in the vicini'y. Removing the
rocks tn par commenced to dig and at a
depth # a foot aat hilf came across several
fragments OF b nv uin led with bits of char
coal There were som thing like 20 pieces
of the former, and besides showing evidence
OF the action of fire had apparently been treat
ed with lime. The bones were all
Gathered
by the officers and carefully placed
IN tin box. Near by was a shallow excava-
ton on the surface OF the ground in which
ware found several particles Of charcoal and
guyta, bringing the bones with him and sub
hitting them to DIR. Brickett. They were
pronounced portions of human skeleton.
There were portions of mans skull and
pieces of ribs. Coroner Libby was informed
and he will
Visit the Grave
this morning, and take such action
as he deems necessary. As far as can
now be discovered the grave was
first discovered about year ago when
Henry w. Clark of Chelsea, and Horace
Leighton visited the woods for the purpose
of selecting wood for choppng. They ran
across the mound aud Mr.. Leighton remarked
that the spot
Looked Mysterious,
1t seems that about week ago Henry w.
Clark and Edward Robbins, the latter referr
ed to above as the informer, visited the
grave and dug around it. Clark is the father
of Mrs Wallace, the wife of Charles Morgan
Wallace, who murdered officer Malloy
Clark's son is the husband of Peleg Crock
er's daughter. At the time of
Lahelles disappearance, the finger OF
suspicion pointed to several different persons
AS being possible murderers. This affair is
but
Another Black Mark
against the infamous dens which surround
the Home. and should incite the authorities
to more strenuous effort than ever to OBJ
literate them Labele was evidently
victim of one of these vultures
who infest the Home, falling a prey to
his murderous hand in the depths of the
forest, far away from any helping hand.
Here again liquor was at the bottom of the
offence. and lured the man to his death.
Change In the u. =. Internal Revenue Ser
vice.
Commencing with November LIST the western
division of the State, comprising the counties
of Kennebec, Somerset, Sagadahoc, Lincoln.
Androscoggin. Franklin, Oxford and Cum
berland, with the exception of Portland, will
be in charge of Deputy Collector J. L. Stod-
lard with headquarters at Augusta. Mr..