The Portland daily press., 1895-05-02
DR.. J. n. Plaisted Arrested for
Murder.
MRS. SARAH L. TIBBETTS THE VIC
TIM OF A CRIMINAL OPERATION,
So the Officials of York County Think; and
They Allege That DIR. Plaisted Per-
formed It-He Denies This Charge-An
Ante-Mortem Declaration Involved.

Especial to the PRESS.)
Sanford, May 1.-This village was greatly
shocked today when Deputy Sheriff Fogg
arrested DR.. ]. N. Plaisted. of this place,
an established physician of the regular
school. on charge of murder.
The alleged victim was buried this after
noon. She was Mrs. Sarah i. .Tib5etts, aged
about twenty-seven years. and the divorced
wife of Mr.. Frank q. Tibbetts of this place.
She has been working as weaver in Mill
No. ! here. and also at other times as
table girl at the hotel. she was an attrac-
tive woman and there seems TO have been
considerable gossip about her.
She was taken sick on April 10th. and
died Monday morning about three O'Clock.
The arrest of DIR. Plaisted is said to have
been determined on by reason of state
ments, in the nature of dying confession,
made by the woman. Her brother. William
Sanborn, brought the matter to the atten-
tion of County Attorney Emmons. 1t seems
to be generally understood that the dying
confessionswas made to DR.. j. II. Neal of
Rochester, n. H.. formerly of this place,
who was summoned Sunday py DR.. Blagden
But both officials and physicians are very
| reticent in regard to the details of this
ante-mortem statement.
DR.. Piaisted denies absolutely that he
performed any criminal operation. He was
the attending physician until Friday, when
DR.. Rlagden was called. there are more
or less rumors of professional jealousy. and
this afternoon DR.. Neal sent word to DR..
Plaisted denying that he had been at all
| actuated by such motives in anything that
he had done in the matter.
This afternoon DR.. c. A. Demnett of Bar
Mills was present to assist DR.. Neal in
making the autopsy. County Attorney
Emmons had charge of affairs. DR.. Plaisted
Was at bis house. Deputy Sheriff Fogg
guarding him there. During the afternoon
he was in consultation with his counsel.
Hon. Frank Higgins OF Limerick. 1t is not
a baliabl offense.
age, and has been in Sanford about four
years. He has a cLild and wife. very
estimable lady who is Frustrated by the
affair. DR.. Plaisted graduated at the Maine
Medical school. and has practiced in Fownal
and Limerick. He is a native of Limerick
While there he was named az co-responde mt
in divorce suit. but when the case Was
tried both he and the woman were speedily
vindioated by the jury.
DR.. Charles W. Blagden was seen by the
representative OF the PRESS. II was called
to the case last Friday night about five
o'clock said the doctor. 81 was told that
the attending physician had not called
during the day, and was away. The con-
dition Of the young woman was such as to
demand immediate attention. ! found a
condition of blood oisoning. and used ante
septic douches. Knowing the case TO be
critical tried Saturday to get DR.. j. II.
Neal of Rochester. N. H.. but did not sue
ceed. did get him Sunday. however. The
patient died about three o'clock Monday
morning. She was in possession of her
senses throughout her illness, and was con-
| scious to the last.''
| Ibid she make to you or DR.. Neal an
ante-mortem statements"
81 cannot speak in regard to that re-.
| piled the doctor.
| 'Will you say what, in our opinion caused
the young womans death?"
| Il have already signed a certificate stat
| ing that it was septicaema."
| "And what was that caused bys"
II don't want to say"
| DR.. Blagden is ply ysician of the regular
school, native of Blue Hill, Me-. and a
graduate of the Baltimore Medical college,
| He has been in Sanford about yaer.
| Mrs. Clara Thompson, an intimate friend
| of the deceased, who helped take care o.
| her during her last hours, says that on We'd
nesday afternoon Mrs. Tibbetts made some
remark to the effect that DR.. Plaisted was
| not doing all he ought, and spoke Of calling
| in another doctor. Mrs. Thompson rather
| ady1sed5 against this. as it might offend Dr.
| Plaisted. whom she might want to call
again. Mrs. Tibbetts then won't on to say
| that DR.. Plaisted had nothing TO do with
| the caus of her illness.
| Rev. c. l.. Woodwork. pastor of the Con-
grega gational church at Sanford, since tie be-
ginning OF the year. spoke very positively
| to the PRESS concerning the high standing
of DR.. Plaisted in the community. "You
| may say for me-" said he to the PRESS,
THAT DR.. Plaisted stands very high in this
community as physician, man ard a
| C hristian. He is member of church in
another place. but attends at my church. 1
should be surprised TO hear the least breath
| of suspicion against him, and l have not
the slightest doubt that he will be fully
yindica. led. believe that the people of this
| place will generally agree with me in this.
| NO given hClo DIS " lie
| man who was responsible for the victims
trouble. 1t is believed that even if she knew
she did not disclose his name.
Those who knew Dr. Plaisted say that he
| is very independent man. little given to
policy whether dealing with the public or
professional associates. While physician
in regular standing he has departed in one
instance at least. from the general usage.
This was in the case of the St. Andrews
Society. This society. composed OF natives
of the British Isles, have introduced the
custom of hiring physician for fixed sum
to attend all cases of illness among their
membership. DR.. Plaisted in this way made
a contract with the society, instead of deal
ing with them i'll the regular American
way.
Mrs. Tibbetts was native of Connecti-
cut. and came to Sanford eight or ten years
ago. Her divorce from her husband was
granted about year ago. Mr.. Tinbetts was
the complainant and the allegation was
adultery.
There seems to be little doubt that the
woman knew that she must die for con-