Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-01-07
MAINE DISPATCHES.
MURDERED.
A Woman is Struck Down by a
a Burglar.
Her Husband Fires three Shots but
Misses Her ASSailant.
Identification of the Murderer Possible.

PORTLAND, Jan. 6.
4 sad tragedy occurred at Cumberland
Mills last night, by which Mrs. Thomas
Stack, an aged lady, lost her life in a dread
full manner and which adds one more murder
to the Maine list, already alarmingly large.
Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas Stack, an aged
couple of about 10 years, lived in story and
a half house on Cumberland street, in Cum
berland Mills. Their son and his wife were
members of the household Last night the
young couple slept in chamber while the
old people occupied the first floor. Mrs.
Stack had met with a slight accident during
the day which caused her some pain. She
therefore did not retire to bed but occupied
a sofa in the sitting room, by the fire. Mr..
Stack slept in the bed room as usual,
Last night by some oversight the front
door of the house was left unlocked. 1t was
about midnight and Mrs. Stack was doing
on the sofa when she suddenly awoke, as is
supposed, and discovered burglar in the
room. Previous to this, it is learned that the
and had secured wallet containing about
twenty five dollars, which lay on the table in
the room which Mrs. Stack occupied
Mrs Stack screamed as soon as she real
lied that robbery was i'll progress. Alarmed
by the old !ady's cries and evidently thinking
that she had recognized him, the burglar
quickly realized, as is thought that he must
silence her forever if he would escape detec-
ton. He sprang to the side of the sofa and
assaulted Mrs. Stack with terrible violence.
Graspng her by the throat he strangled her
with all his might, at the same time beating
her savagely about the head and chest,
All this occupied but few moments, but
by this time the noise of the poor woman's
shrieks had attracted her husband to the
out of bed aud grasped revolver which was
living close at hand. Reaching the sitting
room he saw man in the act of leaving his
wife's lifeless body, and making towards the
door. Mr. Stack fired but did not hit the
murderer. Before he could fire again the
man had passed into the next room. Mr.
Stack followed and again fired. The man
did not stop but proceeded to make good his
escape by the same way he entered. Mr..
Stack followed him to the door steps and
fired at him a third time as he made off up
the road, 1t is not thought that any of the
shots took effect, though there is a rumor to
the effect that traces of blood were found on
the door step and on the snow nera by. This
is probably false report
BY this time the young couple who slept
up stairs had been aroused, and rushing down
stairs found their mother apparently dead
and their father by her side trying to rouse
her. Help was at once sum moned and the
victim of the murlerer's fury, cared for as
tendery as possible. 1t was long time be-
fore she regained any semblance of con-
sciousncss. Once she came to herself
enough to groan "Oh how my head aches.
After this she gradually sank away until a
little before noon, when she died, her DIS
tracted family surrounding her bedside ana
hoping to gain some clue from her as to the
identity of the murderer.
Mr., Stack cannot accurately describe the
murderer. He thinks he was young man
of medium height and build, dressed in dark
clothes. Mr. Stack is man of means and
is universally respected His wife, now
dead. was lady of the most lovable dispo-
sition, and great favorite with all of her
friends. Her terrible death has excited the
svmpa,hv of all who knew her. There is
the liyeliest interest taken in the identity OF
her murderer, and the most earnest wishes
are expressed that he will ultimately be cap
tured and brought to justice.