The Portland daily press., 1884-03-25
BARRoN's DEATH.
Basis for the New Stories Concern
ing the Dexter Tragedy.
An Alleged Confession from One of the
muPdercrs Now Dead--Threc Men said
10 Have Been Engaged in the Crime

BANGOR, March 24'-A Dexter special to the
Commercial says that the parties who returned
from Bowerbank last night, say there seems to
be something in the rumors of developments
in the Barron case. The deceased, Chase,
five years ago, told young fellow named
Lappher, that he helped to attack Barron, and
feared arrest. threatening Lanpher that if he
ever told it he would cut his id heart out.
Chase was desperate character, and Lanpher
feared him. Chase told Lanpher all the cir
cumstances, the roads that he took, and where
he left his team.
When Chase was on his death bed, no one
besides the family were allowed to see him.
Several different persons in the neighborhood, /,
who interviewed persons of the family are OF
intelligent appearance, aud they make can
did, 'Faghforward statement. They say that
they have known more or less about this for q
long time, but they did not care to incur the
hostility of desperadoes, and they appeared
glad that the thing was coming ont. Diff rent
parties IN the neighhorhood told about the
same story. General interest is now awak-
ened. Detective Wiggiu went through Dexter
Saturday, but has not yet returned. 1t is sap
posed that he is after Mrs. Chase wife of the
deceased, who has made con fession.
@. L. McCleery. the Maine agent of the
Boston Journal, returned yesterday from
tour of investigation through Dexter and
portion of Piscataquis coanty. Iu his report
to the Journal he says:
According to the new stories the murder
was committed by three men, one OF whom
has since died. Although it is said that the
widow of the dead man has admitted hat her
husband confessed before his death and impi-
Gated the other two, the only positive evidence
of such confession comes from man who
worked good deal for the man VINO died.
Here is his statement, emitting names, as it
was given to the Journal correspondent:
"What do you know about - assisting in
the murder of Bsrron?" was asked at the be-
ginning of the interview. Somewhat taken
aback through the abruptness of the question,
he replied:
81 only know that he told me he assisted in
killing him."
On being pressed for the details OF that con-
versston, be said
About three years ago l was working with
him in the woods, and to satisfy suspic on
had about his connection with the Case ran
into the camp one day and said, "The sheriff
is after you for the Barron murder The
devil, he said, and started for the woods. Az
forwards we came together at the camp, and
he told me about the case, but threatened that
If l told anyb body he would kill me. He said
that he and the other two men drove over to
Dexter on the day of the murder with dou-
bic team, which they left about mile from
the village, in o swamp. They then walked to
the village, and were standing near the door of
the bank buildng, when a woman oame out.
Th-y then went in and did the job. He put
on the handouts, and the other two bound and
gagged Mr.. Barron"
"Did they intend to kill Barron?"
said that th0u at the
and were determined to get it. After they left
the bank they took their team, drove over
through Barnard, left their team in an aban-
doued barn, aud went home on foot. The next
night one of the other men got the team aud
soon after the three men left the country
rhe remainder of the talk concerning this
case, which cannot be digui6ed by the title of
evidence, may be summarized thus: The
three men named correspond in appearance to
the description given of the men seen leaving
the bank on the night of the tragedy; at least
two of them we're in great need OF money be-
fore that day TO pay notes which we're paid af-
ierward; that whereas they appeared to be
poor previously, they subsequently, gave signs
of having an abundance OF Cash; that one Of
them when spoken to concerning the theory
of suicide, answered, Suicide or not, I know
who put the handouts ON him." These Cir
cumstances, taken in connection with the sup
posed bad character of the men. form the only
basis upon which the theory of murder is rA-
vived. 10 themselves these stories do not af-
ford sufficient evidence for accusation, much
less conviction, with the alleged murder of
Barron.