Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-10-27
esAzeo BY RUN.
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cted, assisted

A crowd which had collected, assisted
in securing the desperate man and he
was soon in the custody OF Sheriff
Hamlin. by whom he was locked up to
await a hearing. AS he was being led
away. Monafan renewed the boasts of
his murderous achievements. saying
this time that he had three bioods' on
his hands. The. officials knew that he
had killed Gauthier and nearly ended
the life of Selectr,an Gates, but they
could not understand where there were
grounds for claiming third victim.
Search was begun at once and a
party started along the Grand Trunk
tracks towards the freight yard. At a
point about 300 yards from that place
the dead body of man was found. 1t
was lying face down with traces of
blood about it. When they turned 1t
over it was discovered that the
trousers and boots were covered with
|. blood and that both legs seemed to
have been broken. There were few
marks Of violence about the upper part
of the body and those who saw it We're
unable to determine how death had
been caused The coroner said, when
would be necessary to determine this
fact.
The body was removed to a con-
venient place, where it was afterwards
identified as that of VIM. Thoits of
Shelburne. Nothing further is known
of this man here.
AS soon as jury could be secured all
inquest was begun by the coroner on
the death of Gauthier 1t was found
that he had been shot through the
heart. A shot had also taken off the
end of one finger. The verdict was
quickly reached. 1t was "Wilful MUIR
der at the hands of Thomas Monohan."
An inquest was then begun on the body
of Thoits.
Selectman Gates, who was removed
to his home, as soon as possible after
the shooting, was still alive at IL
o'clock, although in a critical condition.
The physicians who attended him,
after an examination, stated that if
they could staunch the flow of blood,
he might recover. The chance, how
ever, was declared very small.
Monahan is about 30 years of age.
He has been known as disorderly, idle
fellow, whose time was mostly taken
up by drinking and fighting. Up to
about two months ago, however, ne
had been employed by the Grand
Trunk Railroad. After his discharge
he became more drunken and quarrel
some than ever He has always lived
here and he was unmarried. His home
was with his widowed mother, who is
woman of excellent character
Gauthier was about 20 years old. He
is a French Canadian and had been
employed here about two years. living
with brother.
Mr.. Gates has been one of the select
men of the town for several years and
is one of it's most respected citizens.
He is about As years of age and has
wife, but no children.
The inquest over the body of Thoits
was completed before noon and it dis
closed the fact that the man had been
shot in the abdomen and a verdict TO
that effect was returned. 1t is thought
that Monahan must have reloaded his
gun after shooting Gauthier and that
the charges We're fired at Thoits and
Selectman Gates in turn.
1t is also thought the former was
shot some distance from the place
where the body was found and that
the man crawled to the spot in an en-
deavor to secure aid.
The feeling aroused in this place by
the murderous deeds of Monahan was
unprecedented. Fortunately the muir
derer had been locked up quickly and
after consultation among the officials
it was decided to give him a hearing
at once.