Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-03-10
MURDBR MYSTERY
Grating Gralt Excitement IL
a Southarn Town.
fha Horrible Dad Of q Insane Dlllk.
lrd.
Shoots his Wiio, Child and Oegvant
Cuts Own Throat.

FLoRkNcE, s. c., March "a state OF
intense excitement prevails here. 1t is
believed the mystery Of Bolton O'Neal
Townsend's horrible death 10 abou. to be
solved.
Mr.. Townse nd. one Of the leading lawyers
OF this city, an author and poet Of some
distinction. WAS incinerated in his burning
dwelling one week ago. His neaYes,
neishbor, who was the frst to reach the
house after the fre broke out, found the
front door unlocked. Mr.. Townsend's
room was then full Of flames, and the hea,
vas 90 intense thatit WAS impossible to gel
at him.
ground his partially consumed body wal
dragged out Of the embers. The body val
burned and mutilased beyond recognition
The skull was crushed.
( Carey Townsend, brother of the de.
ceased, has been investigating the affair
and says he has evidence thai
his brother was the victim OF
robbers, who also committed the
murder and arson to hide the evidence
against them. He says his brother had
collected, the afternoon before his death, q
large sum of money, and carried ii home
The fact that he had this money was known
to several persons. He was alone in the
house at the time. The theory of suicide
was advanced, to which assertions, no,
known to be facts. lent some color. This
theory has been allowed to obtain currency
In order to xllay apprehension on the pArI
Of the murderers.
At the inquest the examination of Wit
resses developed the fact that at 6 sc
Townsend was in his room on the bed read
ing with revolver under his head. The
boy who waited on him left him there
Neighbors noticed that the light went ou,
in his room shortly after. Later the ex-
plosion of q pistol was heard and in few
minutes the flames burst out.
The suicide theory is disproved by the
fact that Townsends revolver WAS found
with the hammer held by the safety catch
and all the cartridges exploded by ths
action of heat. None Of them had beer
struck by the hammer.
Now comes the second chapter Of the
story. Three days ago Town Marsha
Dennis went hunting in Pie swamp. Hs
came upon = negro sitting in the hollow Of
. gum tree preparing q chicken for the
roasting spit. The mans actions arouse
Denns's suspicions. There have
been numerous burglaries in Flor
ence for three months past ant
Dennis suspected this man. Procuring
help-for the negro was armed-he wa,
captured. On his way to jail he attempted
to escape. when Dennis shot him, infliclinl
wounds pronounced fatal by the ply hysicians
The prisoner said his name Was Lei
Scott, and confesses that he was one of .
gang of organized burglars who had beer
depredating in the city. He gave the names
Of other members of the gang, two oil
whom, Bryant and Mccarthy, white men
were captured last night and are in Jail
Two others. negroes, are still at large
Scott directed the deputies to q certain
spot in Pie swamp, where large amount
Of stolen goods were found in boxes ready
for shipment. Scott said they were to be
sent to Boston.
The day of the Townsend tragedy all Of
these men were known to be in town, but
the next morning they had disappeared, mol
did any of them again appear until after
the conclusion of the ioguest and the pro
mitigation Of the suicide theory.
Meanwhile Carey Townsend had en-
gsgsd detectives, who are now gathering
evidence, the details Of which they do moi
disclose at present.
Talk of lynching has been rife on the
street ever since the capture Of the burglars
but when it became known that they were
suspected of the Townsend murder
the excitement became intense. Sc
far there has been no demons
traioD other than groups of meT
about the streets and in public resorts die
cussing the affair, but there is no telling
what the night will bring forth.
Scott is in dying condition ard is "a
tional only at intervals. He will be ques
toned abou. this matter, and il the murde,
is confessed Mccarthy and Bryant will
almost surely be lynched. The open door
the pistol shot, the crushed skull, The dis
appearance OF the gang and the confession
Of Scott are circumstances regarded ..
almost conclusive evidence that these mer
murdered Townsend. Bryant and Nc cCarthy
are Northern men who iramped here ant
stopped for the winter.