The Portland daily press., 1897-11-17
At His lUNT'S REQUEST.
Young GuillsInet Murdered and
Robbed His Uncle.
BIDDEFORD BOY CONFESSES TO A
HORRIBLE CRIME.

secret of a Mysterious Murder in Canada
Revealed-Pathetio Scene When Boy
Meets His Parents-Good Work of
Biddeford Police.
Biddeford, November 16.-Jean Baptiste
GuilIemet, the young man arrested in
Biddeford, Monday, on suspicion that he
had guilty knowledge of the death of his
uncle. J. B. Laplante at St. Liboire, P.
G., October 80, has made a statement to
the officers in which he says that he com
mitted the crime at the instigation of
his aunt, Mrs. Laplante, who had
promised to marry him after the death of
her husband.
Guillemet is seventeen years old, and
formerly worked in the Biddeford mills.
Mrs. Laplante, the woman he accuses
Of completely in the crime, is about
thirty-tive years old, and has six children.
Guillenet repeated his story Tuesday
morning in the presence of his heart
broken father and mother. The pump
ing process was applied at various times
Monday night without avail except that
the young prisoner showed signs of
weakening. When confronted with the
marshals persistent questions Tuesday
morning, the young prisoner gave in and
after telling several conflicting stories,
made full confession.
Guiilemet, whose parents are working
in the mills here, gave up his job in the
Pepperell mills six weeks ago and started
for Canada, intending to visit relatives
and look for work. The first stop he made
was at the home of his mothers sister,
Mrs. Laplante, at ST. Liboire. Her hus-
band was tax gatherer. According to the
prisoners story, they made his stay
pleasant, his aunt being specially atten-
tive to his comforts. After q weeks visit
he decided to hunt up his married sister
in neighboring town. but his aunt pre-
vailed Oh him to remain there. Then she
secretly laid before him the scheme to ge
rid of her husband, who she claimed, had
plenty of moneylbut was stingy to her
and to their children.
On the afternoon of October 80 Col
lector Laplante went to the village on
wife told Guillemet that now was the
time to put her husband out of the way
for he had $500 with him which could be
easily obtained from his pocketbooka The
young man said he told her that he didn't
have the courage to do the deed, but she
insisted and strengthened his nerve with
liberal draughts of rum.
H. zl1 III -
any money with him?" said Guillemet
His aunt replied: ''Never mind if he
doesn't have cent. want you to put
him out of the way"
He says that when he left the house
Mrs. Laplante told him in which pocket
his uncle usually carried his money, and
she charged him to be sure to get that.
FILLED WITH LIQUOR
and hardly realizing which way he was
going, he started out at dusk to waylay
the old man. Taking a cord wood stick
from the wood pile near the house, he
crossed the field and hid behind fence
by the roadside. Presently his uncle an.
preached. AS soon as he passed, Guile
met rushed upon him, dealt him swing
ing blow with the club, and the old man
dropped in his tracks.
"Did he make any outcryf'' asked Mar
shall Harmon, to which the prisoner re-
piled, "None, except groan when 1
rolled him over to get at his pocketbook ("
Continuing. the self-oonfessed murderer
said he secured a roll of bills from the
pockets of the dying man, and leaving
him by the roadside, hurried to the home
of his aunt, to whom he handed tho
money and told the story of his encounter.
| She complimented his nerve and
cautioned him to keep up cool appear
ance pending an investigation of the
affair. He says she also promised to come
to Biddeford to marry him soon as the
| trouble blew over.
A teamster found the dead body and it
| was brought to the house and the funeral
and inquest held.
| After the excitement had subsidized.
Guillemet made preparations to return
home. His aunt gave him $50 out of the
5000 plumber and told him not to show If
| or exchange the Canadian money into
American until he reached the States. She
gave him enough American money to pay
for his railroad ticket to Biddeford. He
says that when he left her she again re-
newed her promise to come here and
marry him.
Guillemet broke down when faced by
his mother, who was weeping bitterly,
but he stuck to his story.
Guillemet says that his aunt more than
two years ago, was insane for a period of
| three years, but sae is now thought TO be
mentally sound.
An inquest in the case is being held at
St. Liboire, Cue, in connection with the
murder Several witnesses have already
been examined, and Monday night ad-
journment was taken until Saturday.
The most pathetic scene connected with
the case was that which took place in
City Marshal Harmon's office, when the
self-confessed murderer and his parents
were brought face to face. Up to that