The Portland daily press., 1897-01-05
Clinton Has Murder and Suicide
Horror.
JEALOUSY PROMPTED JOHN M.
WEBBER'S AWFUL DEED.
Wife,Had Refused to Live with Him and
Applied For sDivorce-Dioharged Re-
yoIyer Thrice at Her and Put Bullet
Through His Own Brain -Webber Was
Respected and Prosperous.

ESPECIAL TO THE PREss.J

Especial TO THE PRESs.1
Clinton, January 4.-Clinton is in a
state of great excitement this evening,
terrible tragedy having occurred at
about six O'Clock. when John Webher, a
prosperous and respected citizen whose
home Is about two miles from LeTe came
to this village and shot and without
doubt fatally injured his wife and then
ended his own life.
The cause of the terrible deed as near
as can be. ascertained was Jealousy. A
few days ago family affairs came to q
climax, when Mrs. Webber went to Wat
eryille and filed an application for di
vorce and then upon returning home
moved herself and children to Clinton
village, where she has since remained,
keeping house for herself and children.
Mr.. Webber has at several different
times tried to persuade his wife to return
to her former home with him and begin
life anew, but she has refused to do SO
and tonight upon final refusal
he instantly drew a revolver and 1red
three shots ut her all of which took
effect.
Two of the bullets passed directly into
the lungs and lodged there. He then
turned the weapon upon himself and
with one shot killed himself almost in
stantly. The reports of the revolver be-
ing heard, an Investigation was quickly
made and revealed the awful crime. A
coroner was summoned from Waterville
and an inquest was held. At 10 .. M
Mrs. Webber was sinking rapidly and
death is expected hourly. There are
three little girls aged respectively five
seven and eight who remain to mourn the
loss of their parents.
Webber is about 40 years old. The
affairs occurred in a pretty little two
story white house upon one of the main
streets of the village. and about stones
throw from the hotel.
When Webber shot himself he placed
the revolver just back and over his right
ear, the shot also burning the side of
his face quite badly. Death must have
been instantaneous the doctor stated.
Mrs. Webber's wounds consist of two
cAOuS 1uUO UhO ilS-jV O1SdoU OIL u Uu0
into the right shoulder.
Twelve years ago John L. Webber mar
ried the daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Hor-
ace Goodwin, the victim of death by
the "Flying Yankee" at the Blind
crossing at Clinton. For six years things
appeared to go well with the COUPLE
then there were many quarrels. Mrs.
Zsncora Webber, had a very quick tenn
per and pretty face, ore which was much
admired by townspeople and the other
feared by her husband, though he did
not make serious complaints until about
a year ago when his wife went to Pitts
field sssand there became the center of a
scandal which cast unpleasant reflections
upon her good name.
The next troubIe was over trip Mrs.
Webber took to Canaan where she spent
four months, despite the fact that nu-
visits were paid her by her hus-
band who used every effort to induce her
to return. Then it is said the hus band
got in his work of drinking hard and
abnsing his wife.
This state of things continued up to
last Thursday VIII sn Mrs. Webber packed
up part of her things and with them
took her three little baby girls and osrue
to Clinton village.
Coming to the village Mrs. Webber
Mrs Webber was to visit Lawyer MoCar-