Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-08-12
THE GARDINER MURDER
further Particulars Of tia Shook;up
Affair.


"@es oenhett, ana Michael Brosne-
nan were iaoorers employed At Iceboro.
Monday evening 3 number from Iceboro vi.-
tied Gardiner. for the purpose of having .
good time They wen, up on the 8 O'Clock
train, intending to return on the IL. Bennett,
and Brosnehan were together, and Wood va.
alone. In the course of the evening Wood
entered saloon and drank. He va, going
out when he met Bennett and Brosnehsn q. and
gave them an invitation to drink which they
accepted. The three then left the saloon
and separated, Wood going one way and
Bennett and Brosnehan the other The next
time they met was at the depot where
The Crime was Committed,
the details of which, according to Brosne-
hans story, are as follows: I'VE were talking
and having good time, when Jimmy BEN
nets) wanted to spar for fun, and squared of
at Wood. Wood said to keep away or he
would shoot, and raised his hand above hi,
head. Jimmy jumped at him, and he began
to slash around with his hand. | though.
that he had pistol and made a grab at his
hand so that he couldn't shoot Jimmy. He
then slashed around, and | felt him cut my
wrist. and then knew he mad knife. just
then Jimmy shouted.
Great God, He has Killed Met.
and fell to the ground.
Wood then started up street and. meeting
Officer Burns, said Il suppose you want me?'
Burns didn't know what he wanted of him,
but answered, Eyes, of course | do, come
along with me, and took him to the lookup.
Meanwhile, Brosnehan gave the alarm and
the police were soon on the spot where the
tragedy occurred. DR.. Strout was summoned,
later,
BENNETT was Dead.
The body was carried to the lookup. and q
coroner summoned. He deemed an inquest
unnecessary and nothing was done until
morning, when post norton examination
was held In the meantime large and ex-
citable crowd had been collecting around the
lookup. The excitement was intense. Cries
of
Lynch the Murderer
were heard from some, but nothing of the
sort was attempted.
Men remained around the police station
all night trying to get a glimpse at either the
murdered man or the murderer and watching
the least denomination with the greatest in
terest. Early in the morning the crowd COM
menced to increase, and all the forenoon the
with eager, excited men, hustling and jostling
to see all that was going on. Drs. Strout,
Sawyer, Clason and Turner were summoned
early in the morning, and
An Autopsy was Held.
The physicians found wound one inch long
about two inches to the left of the sternum
and one inch above the left nipple, passing
between fourth and fifth ribs, cutting of the
fifth costal cartilage, one-half inch inside of
where the costsl cartilage joins the rib enter
ing the left side of the heart transversely. In
the passage it penetrated the lower border of
the upper lobe of the left lung.
During the forenoon the prisoner was visit
ed by friends, and many acquaintance of the
murdered man were also present. A journal
reporter was allowed
An Interview with wood.
He was found sitting on the edge of the
bunk in his cell, and wore a detected look.
In answer to inquiries he gave his story,
which was substantially as follows: 81 came
to Gardiner to join the infantry; met Bennett
and Brosnehan in saloon where went to
accepted did not drink with them, As | had
already had enough; went over to the depot,
where again met them; Bennett was ugly,
and wanted to spar did not care to spar, and
told him so; he squared off, and l defended
myself; 1 was afraid of getting hurt; had
the best of him. and Brosrehan piled on
then drew a knife. and slashed away until
they let go saw Bennett fall, and heard him
say,
my God, 1 am Killed"
then went up street and gave myself up to
the police"
He seemed 10th to talk about himself, but
was anxious to find out what would be done
with him, asking the reporter repeatedly if he
thought he would be sent to prison. BY dint
of questioning the following information in
regard to himself was ELECTED "My home
has always been in 3urnham, until few
wears ago family have always lived there /:
have lived in Gardiner at different times,
working on the ice. boarded with Henry
Stilphen. on Winter street when | stayed in
the city. My father is dead, since his death
nv mother has lived in China, and God only
knows what will become of her when she
hears of nv crime 1t will kill her D."
When speaking of his mother. the tesrs
stood in his eyes. and it was evident that he
was greatly moved. After further question
ing he continued; II have told the facts as
they are. and if G I'd could give his testimony
he would say that l killed that man in self
defence" Before the reporter left him he
again asked what would probably be done
W it'll him, and said: Before | would go to
State prison for life,
EWould Kill Myself"
He appeared sorry the next minute, how
ever. for having made the remark.