Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-09-06
SHOCKING TRAGEDY.
A Foul Murder Friday Morning
In the City Hotel, Portland.
A Woman Shot Dead and the
Murderer Attempts His
Own Life.

PORTLAND, Sept. 5.
One of the most shocking crimes that has
been known in Portland for several years
occurred few minutes after s o'clock, this
morning, at the City Hotel. Thomas j.
Libby, proprietor of the West Point House at
Prout's Neck, Scarboro, occupied room at
the hotel last night with Miss Lydia Snow, a
woman of doubtful reputation, who also
lived at Prout's Neck and is reported to have
been in the employ Of Libby for some time
past.
About ten minutes after eight this morning
four pistol shot were heard from the room
occupied by the couple. A message was at
| once sent to the police station and officers
Hanson and Langmaid proceeded to the hotel
as quickly as possible. Going to the room
the officers found Lydia Snow dead on the
floor, lying in pool of blood. Libby lay in
the corner in heap, with his head to the
wall He was alive and the officers thought
he was not seriously wounded. He was
taken in a hack and carried to the station.
Drs. Buzzell and Gerrish were summoned
to make an examination of the woman. They
found that bullet had entered her left cheek
and had probably killed her instantly. She
lay with her feet next to the door, so that the
body had to be moved before the door could
be opened. She was soon after taken to the
undertaking rooms of Rich & Son, where the
physicians made a more thorough examina.
ton.
During yesterday Libby and Lydia Snow
were in the city together. They went to N.
Wilson's stable on Federal street at about
2 o'clock in the afternoon, where Libby put
up his horse. The couple went away from
stable together on foot. Shortly after they
went into Hays dining hall on Federal street
and took dinner. They were seen together
by several persons who knew Libby, later in
the afternoon. One of Libby's friends spoke
to him on the street but Libby made no an
swer. 1t was noticed that he had been drink,
| ing and as he had woman with bim his
friend passed on.
Toward evening LIBBY and the woman re-
turned to the stable and ordered their horse
and carriage. They drove off and were not
seen again until about II or IL o'clock, when
they again appeared at the stable. Libby
left his horse and went away with the woman.
1t appears that they went directly to the City
Hotel They went in by the side entrance
on Green street. Libby called for room
and was accommodated.
George w. Robinson's Statement.
Twas at the office when Libby came in at
about II o'clock last night knew who he
was and suspected nothing crooked. He
called for room for himself and lady and
without any hesitation | complied with his
request, supposing that he had his wife with
him. | called the bell boy, gave him kew
and assigned Libby to room IS, on the second
floor | went off duty soon after and saw no
more of Libby.
Mr.. Pingree,s Statement.
am night clerk at the City Hotel. |
went on duty at twelve o'clock last night. |
had not seen Libby or the woman before
that, About two o'clock the bell from room
IS rang and | answered. | went in and found
Libby and the woman there. The woman
was in bed but Libby was partially dressed,
Il
said that couldn't. He appeared to be in
goo humor and told me with laugh to bring
him some Adams ale, if he couldn't have
anything stronger. carried up some ice
water Immediately and handed it to Libby at
the door. About eight o'clock this morning
| again answered the bell from room 5S |
went in and found both Libby and the woman
dressed. Libby lay at full length across the
foot of the bed and the woman was at the
dressing case arranging her hair When |
entered she said
Take that pistol away from"
II can't take it away from him, but | will
go down and get some one from the office"
was my reply
then turned to go out and Libby turned
quickly towards me and pointed revolver
at me which he had in his hand. thought he
would shoot me and jumped quickly out of the
door, which | shut hastily behind me.
listened moment to see if he would follow
me and then turned to go down stairs. A
second later | heard four shots from the
room, three of them in quick succession and
then an interval before the fourth. | heard
a short, sharp scream from the woman.
ran hastily back and stepped into a chair,
and looked through the ventilator over the
door. l saw the woman living on the floor.
but could not see Libby. | ran down to the
office and told them there to notify the po-
lice. When l went to the room at two clock
the man appeared perfectly calm and not
under the influence of liquor. He did not
appear drunk in the morning when l found
him lying on the bed, but he was surly and
cross.
Thomas J. Libby.
| Thomas J. Libby, the murderer, is perhaps
As or so years of age. As has been stated he
is the proprietor of the West Point house at
Prout's Neck. Libby's father left him a
consideral property. Libby was in the war
| member of the 18th Maine regiment. He
was prisoner and suffered in Libby prison.
nothing but skeleton when he got back
home. He married in New Orleans and
| brought his wife home with him when he re-
turned from the war. His wife was sick
some time after he brought her north. He
kept the West Point house and often CON-
planned that his wife was not much help to
him. He has family of children, daugh.
ter and three or four sons. the Oldest being
abont IL years of age. Libby has always
bourn bad reputation. He was a hard
drinker and frequently drunk. A gentlemen
who knows him remarked this morning that
be had oitner seen him drunk than sober.
He has run through most of his property, q
/ 4 Il lz-1A = -