Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-10-25
MURDER MYSTERY
Being UntangIed at machias-sriei Histor,
Of the Crime.

- EAsTPoRT, Oct. a "A murder case is
being tried, this week at Machias that has
great interest for the people in this vicinity
and will be very interesting legal fight in
all probability. At 1890 z. NJ, Sept. s,
Michael Hayden was murdered here and
Thomas Laskey is on trial for the deed.
William Laskey, who figures prominently
in this serious affair, testified at the cor
oner's inquest that at the time of the deed
he was standing near the west corner OF
the Farris house facing Justasons. He
saws: 81 saw Justason open the door Of
his house, clad only in his night shirt and
having a large club in his hand. He walked
west about 20 feet behind Hayden then
struck him over the head. Hayden fell and
| ran after an officer" He says he could
not see his brother Tom at the time.
The distance from Justason's house to
where Will Laskey stood is about so feet.
From careful measurements taken next day
after be made the above statement, it WAS
proyen that from where he said he stood, o
person going 60 feet west of the justasCn
,o.r would disappear entirely from view,
owing to the shed being in the way. Ooe
Dan Griffiths, who reached the scene soon
after the assault, says it was so dark that
he could scarcely see his hand held in front
of his face although his eyesight was good.
The following State witnesses have LETT
for Machias: Lawyers }. II. Mcfaul and
r G. McLarren, Marshal Thos. Hilyard,
Officer Frank Stephenson, Frank Sears
(uho saw Tom Laskey strike the fatal
blow Henry and George Farris and Post
master H. N. Paine.
On the night of the crime Hayden had
been drinking and after supper was engaged
in game of cards at Mr.. and Mrs. Sam
Freeman's, about 500yards from his house
Freeman had also married one OF the SIS
ters. Hayden, Freeman and the latter 5
boatman from Grand Manan, n. r., became
engaged in fight, in which the former was
knocked down. His wife ran to the door
shouting "nurder,: and Ofhcer FRANK
Stephenson. whose beat includes the streets
at the South end, came on the scene with
several neighbors, among them VIII and
Thomas Laskey. Peace was restored, but
Freeman ordered Hayden and wife to leave
his house. This was about 10 O'CLOCK,
p. M.
Having numerous bundles, etc, which
thew could not carry, the officer instructed
Tam La.key to carry the axe, saw, etc,
Mrs. Havden carrying her sisters four,
vesrs-old girl. Tom gave his brother Will
the saw aud large cabbage, the latter GO
inc ahead. Tom and Hayden came next
and Mrs. Hayden brought up in the rear
Now comes the most mysterious part OF
the entire affair, as each witness tells a
different story. At any rate, when Mrs.
HAYDEN reached her house large crowd
had collected and she cav the almost life
loss body of her husband being carried into
the kitchen. He fingered in half dead
condi,ion until the followiog Wednesday
uoon and died, without disciosing the name
| of his assailant. although many attempts
w,re made to fad out 9ho had struck him
the fatsl blow. =.
The first to arrive on the scene when II
bsppenea were Frank Sears and Fred Lo-
oan. each living near by. They found him
living in pool of blood 80 feet north OF
tho house and within FIVE feet of an un-
fpi he'd shed. A large stone weighing sew
ara, ponnis and covered with blood was
found near the door, also spots OF the red
faid were seen near by.
Hsyden's soft hst contained two ragged
cuts. one being about two inches IN length,
and ON the inside was large clot OF blood.
The .xe was found later in the kitchen but
NO blood was observed then on 1t. Next
dow it contained blood marks on the handle