Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-05-04
SAD. GRIEF STRICKEN HOME.
The Lane Residence at Benny Eagle a Scene
of DesoIation and Mourning.

Portland. May 3.-A special to the
Express from Benny Eagle says:
The sky was dark, this morning. and
the rain drizzled down onto the Lane
homestead. making the surroundings
gloomy enough. The Saco river purled
as merrily past the house as it did last
week before the awful tragedy was
enacted. Within, however, is a scene
of sadness, and conVersat ion is carried
in lowered tones.
Every trace of the crime has been
removed and the sister, Miss Margaret
Lane, found little to indicate the ter
rbIe struggle that had taken place
Miss Lane is terribly Frustrated and
cannot bear to talk Of the affair She
said; oh, if | had only been here /
might have prevented this deed. but
the neighbors think that if she had
been there it would have been but ON
more life sacrificed to maddened
mans revolver
In the presence of Selectman Herbert
c. Sturgis. Miss Margaret Line and
few relatives, the letter that was found
on the piano addressed to Miss Lane was
opened and read. Whoever imagined the
handwriting was that OF young Lane ana
that the misSve would explain the mo-
tive which prompted for deed, was lated
to be disappointed for the letter was
merely note of consolation containing
words of sympathy and comfort from
Mr.. Roscoe Watson. who owns and oper-
ates a saw and Shincle mill at Rapids in
the town of Limiugt0n. Mr. Watson
wrote the note on the morning following
the tragedy and laid it on the piano him
self where it would be seen and given to
Miss Lane upon her arrival. This is all
there is to the letter story and everyone
is as much in the dark now as to Lanes
motive. as they We're before its opening
Sentiment has been strong in the Ilttle
village against the murderer and there
We're many at the funeral Sunday, who
would have been better satisfied to have
seen his body tossed in the Saco river
than accorded a Christian burial IN
pretty Maplewood cemetery in Standish
There now seems to be no doubt in the
minds of many as to the fact that IN
sanity prompted Lane to do the deed,
Opinion seems to be that he had been
planning the crime for several days
There being no blood on the note that
he left, gives credence to the idea that
he must have written it before the muir
ders and 1t is thought that he must have
nerved himself up to the deed by drink
on the fatal evening.
He is described as being reticent aDout
his own affairs. 1t is said that few
days before his death he tried to sen
COW for $40 remarking that he should not
need it as he probably would not be mere
a
remarking that he wanted to be square
with everyone as he did not think he
would live a great while.
He was intensely jealous of his wite's
affections before their marriage and
little over a year ago gave young man
with whom he had seen his wife taking
a thrashng. after brooding over II Tor
a day or two. The young man was
summer boarder in the village and his
Intimacy with Mrs. Lane was simply that
of a friendly acquaintance, not word
against her good character having ever
been breathed. She was universal Ia
vorite. loved and esteemed by all Lane
is said to have had an uncomfortable
temper. having once struck a horse with
a sharp hammer with such force as TO
bury the head in the animals side.
It is not yet known what disposition
will be made of the homestead Lanes
property falls to his sister but II Is
doubted If she will care to live in the
house. and it is quite likely that she
will dispose of it and reside in Washing
ton or some other distant city.
In future years mothers who are now
Girls will tell their children of the awful
Lane tragedy. but unless some uneX-
pected development arises, the motive
mat prompted the awful crime will for
ever remain shrouded in mystery
John w. Lane covered his crime care
fully and carried his secret with MN 10
the grave
THE following citizens have been sum
moned to serve on Coroner Il. n. Perry
inquest in its investigation of the double
murder and suicide at the Lane home
stead at Bonny Eagle. Standish: Emery
Rich VIM. NJ. Libby, j. G.. Haley, Daniel
Warren. II. W. Berry. NJ. II. Sawyer.
The witnesses summoned to appear at
the inouest. Wednesday, are Mrs. Dodge.
Samuel Lane and his son Percy.
The funeral services over the dead
f,tbar mother and baby were held. Sun
dav afternoon. at Benny Eagle, Rev.
1Wm cashmere officiating. The services