Morning journal and courier., 1885-07-21
A SHOCKING TRAGEDY.
Husband Kills His Wife and Cuts
 His own Throat.

A Husband Kills His Wife and Cuts His own Throat.
 DAMARIscoTTA, Me, July 30.-The little village known as 'sHead of the Hole'' in the town of Aha at the head of navigation of Sheepscot river, one of the most beautiful in the State, was the scene of bloody trage dy on Saturday. Wilmot Hayward, a farmer of sixty-five, has lived for some years with his wife in an old mansion near the village, the wife's son Willis, aged 27, being the principal support of the family. The mother was quiet, unobtrusive person. Hayward, on the contrary, was cross, quarrelsome, vicious and revengsful and, according to the young mans story, had frequently threat ened and beaten his mother and himself. A few weeks ago Hayward became enraged be- cause his son persisted in associating with the son of neighbor, one Al. Palmer, and upon Palmer accompany
 ing Hayward to his home the old man used harsh language to both During the conversation the old man, in taking 8 seat, slipped or was helped to the floor and was somewhat shaken up. This he construed as an assault by his and said he should cause his arrest A few kitchen rows follow ed. land the son notified the selectmen to take his father away as he dangerous. The old man was accordingly removed but about two weeks ago 8 reconciliation was effected and he returned to his home. Things ran smoothly for few days until Saturday fore noon, when Mrs. Hayward visited a neigh Dor, David Jewett, where the husband had forbidden her goin. More harsh words were used on her return homs At abodt ii o'clock OH that day labofer in hay field adjoining called at the house and saw both Hayward and his wife. Between t2 and 1 o'clock Mf. Jewett, who owns the place and ,y1iA sent his sea Hp tt the barn to look after the tsata. Ths boy did his sffahd and returned hHffiedly and told his father that hs saw Mf, Hayward lying iii the. front deef, covered with bteed, sHiataehihg the heighbefs Mf, Jswstt led the way te tbs house and there witnessed scene that beggafsd description,
 There lay the old man with his head et the deeFsiil and his body Weiteriag In pool of blood, Tracks of blood were on ths floor where he had wandered about, MT, jsWaLt went around to the door Of the shed, He called Mrs, Hayward's name, but Teeeiyed no response, He then proeeeded to the in- ner door and called again, No reply being made he opened the door and there upon the floor lay the wife, her throat cut from ear to ear and her clothing perfectly saturated with blood. Upon her face were several cuts, also upon her hands. Her face, ears and neck were bruised and beaten show. ing that the fiend had made sure of accom- plishing the deed. It is believed Mrs. Hay ward was about to go to the field to pick berries when sine was knocked down and her throat cut. Then she was beaten with the bootjack. After accomplishing the deed Hayward went to the cellar to hang him self. There rope was suspended from a ho okand was encrusted with blood. Hay wards wounds were dressed and as soon as he was able to converse his son questioned him and at first he said some one came to the house and kill iad Ao lxsJl
 wards he said he committed the deed actino in self-defense; that his wife upon his enter ing the house struck him on the back with fatiron and threatened to cut his throat. His condition is critical, the windpipe being severed and breathing difficult. A coro-