Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-12-24
A MURDERED NAN
Discovered in a Wagon, Being Concealed
by Egg Boxes.
NEW BEDFORD. Mas. d

New BEDFORD. Mass, Dec. 90.
just after sunrise, Wednesday morning,
Obed K. Mosher was driving from Plainville
to Acushnet. About three miles from the
centre he saw in the road ahead q wagon and
a slight, dark complexioned man, apparently
going towards the bushes on the side of the
road.
The man, who appeared drunk when he saw
Mosher, turned back to the wagon and threw
something on it and then got on himself and
drove away. As Mosher passed he saw part
OF the legs and feet of a man sticking out
under boxes of eggs, and saw blood on the
wagon. Mosher gave no alarm. although the
incident excited his curiosity. but drove to
Acushnet, transacted nis business, and then,
In about half an hour, started back home. On
getting nearly to the Plainville house, he saw
the wagon which he had noticed when going
the other way, standing in the middle of the
rQad, but the man whom he had seen driving
had disappeared.
The mans legs were still protuding from
the wagon, and Mosher summoned help and
went to the wagon and found the dead body
of man in it. Word was telegraphed to the
police, and Lieut.. Butler and Dr. Taylor,
medical examiner, went to the spot and made
an examination. 1t was discovered that the
body was that of Richard Nelson Lawton,
about 81 years old, residing near the head of
Westport village. He had undoubtedly been
murdered. as there were several marks OF
what appeared to be shot wounds in the left
side OF the head and the skull was fractured
On the Fight side by blow from some heavy
instrument. There was much blood on the
front of the wagon and shafts, and he had ap-
parently been struck down while driving, and
then the body put in the wagon and covered by
empty boxes. There arnunl his
neck, as if the murderer put it there with the
intention Of dragging the body to the woods
and hanging it up. The pocket-book was
gone but memorandum book was lett. The
murder had evidently been committed six or
eight hours before the body was discovered,
as it was cold. Mr.. Lawton left home, Mon
day morning, for Cape Ced, to purchase eggs,
which he was in the habit of doing, and tax
ing them home and selling by wholesale in
this city and Fall River. He was seen in
Fairhaven on Monday. He was expected
home last evening at o'clock, but as he did
not arrive at midnight he was given up. As
there were but three boxes of eggs in the
wagon, the murdered man must have had
considerable money with him.
The body was brought to this city and
placed in the mOrgue and DR.. Taylor will
make an autopsy. The police have arrested
q uldu OH sueplClOu WHO was lOunu Oh Tile
road not far from the place where the body
was found.
There is nothing new in the Lawton mur-
der mystery as yet. The man arrested today
on suspicion has been discharged. Active
investigation is in progress.
A tramp, giving the name of Jno. Brennan,
was arrested tonight on suspicion. Medical
Examiner Taylor says that Lawton was shot
from the side of the road with shot gun,
loaded with buck and bird shot; the charge
struck the left side of his face, went through
and came out behind the ear, shattering the
skull that he was not hit after the shooting
and the rope was merely used to assist in
moving the body that but one person did the
deed and he was under the influence of liq
uor, otherwise he would not have driven
through Acushnet village with the victims
feet sticking out in plain view; that people
saw the curious turnout and laughed, think
ing it was huge joke to cart man round in
that manner, they supposng both to be drunk !;
that the driver was more sober and was taking
his friend home. No effort will be spared to
bring the guilty to justice.