Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-05-12
Is 1T MURDER?
Death of Arthur Corrigan, In
mate of Togus Home,
Under Suspicious Circumstances
Thomas O'Brien Arrested.
Corrigan Claimed 10 Have Been Terribly
Beaten and Pobbsd.

1bomas y Brlen, an inmate of the Sol
diers' Home, Togus, was lodged in Jail,
Fti1ay evening, to await the result of an
Investigation into the death of Arthur Cor
rigan, fellow inmate, who died, Thursday
night, in the II Dme hos itsl, claiming to
have been t"rri'ly beaten and robbed, last
Monday afternoon.
The facts, az nearly as can be ascer-
tanned, are that Corrigan, O'Brien and a
third man. named PItrick Sheehan, were
ont on theHallowelro Dad Monday afternoon,
drinking viii key which they bought of a
pocket pediler. O'Brien appeared at the
C mp, il the evening, drunk and was put
under arre't. Cn bis person was found a
watch, money, ring and cuff buttons.
Late at night farmer living near the
Home found Corrigan at or in bi, barn in
o,d condition. He was taken to the Home
hospital, where he stated that be had been
,eatep, XII ked in abdomen and robbed of
money, watch, ring and cuff buttons. A
bruise was found on his abdomen, also
one on his forehead and it was found that
there was bad rupture.
He fingered along till Thursday night,
when he died having suffered great agony.
He was about 60 years of age
O'Brien, who had been under arrest all
this time. was taken before Judge Stevens
1t Chelsea, on charge of larceny from the
person of Corrigsn. He pleaded not guilty
mi said that Corrigsn gave the articles
to him to keep for him for while.
The case was continued till Monday and
OBrien committed A JOURNAL reporter
'aw bm at the jill last evening. He
alke1 freely and told his st,ry in very
'trairhtforw ard way. denying guilt ard
claiming to know nothing of the cause of
Corrigan's death. He said:
"My name is Thomas O'Brien. Belong
At Southboro, Mass. Served IL 1-2 months
in the 4th Massachusetts, Heavy Artillery
IN the Rebellion. Have been an inmate of
the Soldiers Home for three years, but
nave just returned from years furIough.
Am 80 years Of age.
Last Monday afternoon Arthur Corri-
,an, Patrick Shee h IN and myself were on
The Hallowell road. We bought some Eq-
uor, three or four pints, of pocket peddler,
whom | don't know. We all got pretty
full. Corrigan got very drurk and said to
me, You take my money watch, ring and cuff
buttons and keep em for me. You are the
soberest. Sheehan and will take nap
"He gave me the things and they laid
down and went to sleep. There was SOM
whiskey left aud drank it. Soon l be-
anne very drunk and went off across the
fields. About 10 O'Clock got to camp, and
yhen tried to get in the guard arrested
me and put me in the lookup, They took
away everything had, including Corrigan's
things.
"In the morning h ard some one talk
ing about a man being beaten and robbe I'd
IN the Hallowel road, and called to them
md told tn I'm he was not robbed, for had
be things.
"T was kept in the guard house till Fri
day, when was arrested and taken before
the judge. I had not seeh Corrigan or
Sheehan since Monday. Heard that Shee-
nan was arrested for drunkenness and given
90 days 'on the dump AT the hearir G
Sheehan said he was so drunk that he re-
membered nothing about Monday afternoon,
and couldn't remember that Corrigan gave
me the things"
"He was there, however, and did do it
don't know why he should 60 back on me
that way.
al saw no fight and had no fight with
Corrigsn. Didn't kick him, or strike him,
or rob him. Am acripplr, having broken
shoulder which disables me. Have drank
some quor, but never quarrt | cd with any
one. didn't know Corrgan was dead un-
til Deputy Sheriff Ames told me. Didn't
know he was sick in hospital. Hadn't seen
him.
Have never been mixed up in any such
scrape, and feel badly over it. Am sorry
Corrigan is dead, but I had nothing to do
siih his death"
O'Biien is a man about feet 10 or IL
inches tall, erect, good bearing, his right
shoulder and arm somewhat helpless. grey
ish hair and moustache, clear black eyes,
and presents not unfavorable appearance.
He was willing to talk All made no slips in
his story to the JOURNAL man.
IndustriaIs Seize Train In Calii0rn