Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-06-09
An OId-time FanatIcal Murder.

Au F8nasIca2 iEGrNcr.
An old resident of Gardiner, Maine, re
calls sect known many years ago in that
State as the New Lights, and the story of
tragedy for which the doctrines of the sect
were responsible.
"The New Lights" said the gentleman,
denounced all other religions IS false, and
professed to act on inspiration received by
direct communication with God. Henry
McCausland, an industrious and highly re
spected resident of Gardiner, and up to that
time prominent member of the Episcopal
Church, became convert to the New Light
fanaticism, and proved to be one of the most
fanatical believers in the new doctrine.
Soon after joining the New Lights McCaus-
heaven positive orders to make offerings of
fire and blood to appease the wrath of God
at the sinfulness and irreigion of the world.
William Gardiner, who built the first
Episcopal church in the town Of Gardiner,
and was its leading member aud patron,
was an unmarried man. He had as house
keeper Mrs. Warren, widow of good
character. McCausland, who had for some
time been seeking further lightas to whatform
the required offerings Of blood and fire
should assume, finally professed to have been
informed by spiritual communication that
Mrs. Warren had been living in wanton-
ness with Mr.. Gardiner, and was the
mother of three children by him. As the
Episcopal Church harbored both of them, it
had sanctioned what the New Lights called
the objectionable ein of Gardiner and his
housekeeper consequently they decided
that the church must be made the fire offer.
ing. Mrs. Warren was declared to have
been the tempter of Mr.. Gardiner, and Nc
Causand was ordered 10 make her the sac
rifce of blood.
"a few nights after he received this order
McCausland left his home carrying with him
chid's shoe filled with live ccals, Gs he
said he was bidden to do hy the spiritual or
der. He went to the Episcopal church and
fired it with the Goals and it was burned 10
the ground.
"Mrs. Warren was at house on the out
skirts of the town that night, sitting up
with her sister, who was iii and not ex.
| pected to live. McCauslapd proceeded to
entered and found Mrs. Warren sitting
asleep by the bedside of her rater. with her
head lying on the bed. In beam in the
room, which was both kitchen aud sleeping
| room, large butcher knife was sticking.
McCausland had no weapon with him, be-
| leying, as he afterward remarked that the
character of his mission was such that the
Lord would provide the necessary instru-
ment for carrying out his purpose, and when
he saw the kuife in the beam he was more
| than ever convinced that he was the un
mistakabe agent for ipflcting the
Divine vengeance. He drew the knife
from the beam and walking to Mrs
Warren's side raised her head up and be-
fore she was aroused sufficiently to see her
danger, drew the sharp blade across her
throat. The invalid sister witnessed the
murder, but was unable to give any alarm.
| The shock caused her death almost before
Mrs. Warren had herself bled to death in
| McCaueland's arms.
1.-The murderer returned to Gardiner aud
gave himselfup. and confessed to the mur-
der and incendiarism, relating every detail
with perfect GOODNESS and apparent satisfac-
tion. Everybody believed that he was in
sane, but his insanity was of such q nature
| that his acquittal on that ground was not
considered safe, there being no law in the
State at that time authorizing his incarcera.
ton in lunatic asylum. The aversion to
his conviction on capital charge was uni
yersa, as his execution was not desired by
any one. 1t was consequently the desire OF
the Judge before whom he was to be tried,
and of the lawyers engaged to prosecute
McCausland, that conviction be had on
which he could be sentenced to prison 1or
life. The plans of the well. meaning people
were all destroyed by McCausland himself,
who, on being arrraigned for trial anu asked
to plead to the charge against BIN,
pleaded Guilty" The Judge argued with
the prisoner in vain to have him change his
plea and stand trial, but McCausland re.
mained firm, saying that be was guilty, and
| if he were to plead otherwise it would not
only be falsehood but an acknowledgment
that he desired to escape the consequences
of his act. which was committed under d.
| vine instruction. The Judge fnalls reman-
! ded the prisoner to the care OF the SnerlH 10
await sentence.
"For nearly thirty years be remained In
iail. yainlv awaiting the sentence that was
to complete the plan of vengeance that he
believed had been laid out for him. At every
session of court at Augusta he presented his
petition. begging that he be sentenced to
| death, but the order was given to the Sher-
iff at every term to hold the condemned man
subject to sentence From the time he en-.
tered iail he never permitted razor to
| touch his face, and his hair was never cut.
Both bis beard and hair grew to great
length.
"He never left his cell but once in all the
time he was confined there, although bis
taller. the Hon. Pitt Dillingham;, daily in
vited him to walk out with him. The one
time he went out OF his cell was month be-
fore he died. Then he walked with the
iailar into the latter's parlor. As he enter
ed the room be caught sight of his reflection
in the mirror. That was the first time he
had seen tho change that had come over
him. When he entered the Jail ne was but
On raoru did The sight of his white hair