Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-04-19
USUAL CRY OF INSANITY.
Thought at Amesbuy, Xel'ey'e Home, that u
Caught. He Will So Plead.

Anne sbury. Mass. April 1s.-1he
Stickney murder In SCmersworth has
been the chief tepic of interest here
today. inasmuch as Joseph T.. Kelley
visited his home here a number of
times. in the past three weeks. 1t is
thought among persons who know
Kelley, that in case he is captured and
charged with the crime. that insanity
will be the defence, because of his
many strange actions since boyhood
Many persons are looking for his re-
turn here.
about six years ago. Besides his father
and mother living here. he has two sis
tiers and three hrothers.w who all stand well
in the town. His parents are respectable
people. and live on the Highlands. the
aristocratic part of Amesbury.
Young Kelley's father ownes hand
some residence: He also owns the A.; A.
years he owned the Merrimac Opera
house in this town, and also ran bar in
connection with his theatre. Young Joe.
the building. and the associates he met
here led him into bad habits at a young
age.
The first thing that brought young KEEL
ley into prominence in this town was
some six years ago. when he with a
young man named Armitage fell in love
with a young girl. Things went along
with them smoothly until Kelley became
jealous of Armitage. and meeting him en-
Pond street one night fight ensued: Kel-
ley. with club. started to beat his OPP
revolver and fired. but instead of hitting
his mark he hit himself. When arrested.
he claimed Armitage shot him. AS moth
ing could be proven, both of them were
discharged.
For year after this Kelley loafed
around Amesbury and did nothing. but
he always dressed well and made a good
ents it is stated. refused to help him. and
he started out to shift for himself.
Five, years. ago the following stores
W. Allen: hardware; w. W. Lydston. iron !;
c. M. Masters. dry goods: George Tit
comb. provisions. and George p. Whitman.
Opera house block. These breaks re-
| manned a mystery for long time. The
police were baffled in every way. No
ciew could be found of the person or per-
sons who did the work until young Kelley
was seen coming out of Titcomb's at
| noon while the store was closed
Titcomb had missed money from his
drawer for a long time. and this day he
| marked a S. bill. Watch was kept on
| kelly'S movements, and he was seen to
pass a IS bill. The police took this bill to
Titcomb's store, and it was found to be
! the one that Mr.. Titcomb had marked.
| Kelley was Immediately arrested. Upon
Were found to all the stores which had
| been broken into. He was taken on Sept.
| s, 1892. to the grand judy and was con-
victed on two counts. He was sentenced
| for two years to the house of correction
| at Concord.
Among other thefts which he committed
| in this town was a $50 bicycle from Her
bert Marston. This he sold for a small
sum, but the wheel was again secured by
Marston and the case was never pushed.
While in prison Kelley learned the en-
! craving business. When he was released
; in 1894 he came back to Amesbury and fo.'
] several months did odd jobs and promised
20 lead better life
| In 1894 he left here for North Berwick.
/ in hotel. Young Kelley afterward ran
q house at Harpswell Me-, where ne
claimed that he was doing good business.
/ He gave up this house, however;y and
went to Somersworth, to work at the
Granite house. Hes worked there for a
while and left. This hotel is nearly oppo :
site the scene of the tragedy which oc-
Cured, yesterday When Kelley was In
, this town several weeks ago. he stated
that he was going lack to the Granite
1 house to work.
L One young man stated that Kelley
i planned several robberies in this town
which he did not carry out. for the simple
reason that he was caught before h,
could carry out his plans.
Kelley brother, who keeps a pool room
in this town, says he will not believe tina
Joseph committed the murder at SOmers-
worth until he. has positive proof.