The Portland daily press., 1898-09-16

Saoo, September ia murder of the
most prutal sort, whose motive was
none other than to rob an innocent farm
er of few dollars Of his hard earnings,
was committed at North Saoo, last night.
The murderer appeared in the role OF
man in trouble, and under the ruse that
his horse had fallen by the roadside, lured
his victim to his death.
The murdered man was mr. Ivory b.
Boothby, an industrious, honest citizen,
of whom every body in the neigh borhcod
spoke well and on whom they never hesi-
tated to call whenever assistance was
needed. The identity of the murderer is
shrouded in the deepest mystery. Two
people besides MIR. Boothby heard his
voice, and saw him in the darkness, but
can give no description of him that is
of the slightest avail to the prosecuting
officers of the city and county who are
now working on the case.
Mr., Boothby was bachelor, 40 years
of age, and had lived with his brothers on
the Jenkins road about five miles from
th Q city. For several months he had
been doing the farm work at the Parcher
homestead on the Flag Pond road mile
from his home.
and Miss Rena Merrill, young woman.
lived there About O'Clock last evening,
while they were in the sitting room,
rap was heard at the front door. Mr.
Boothby who was in his stocking feet
went to ths side door and opened 1t anu
asked what was wanted. From out OF
the darkneesi came the reply OF man
whose voice was not familiar: 1--WE
got horse down, out here by the bridge,
and I called to see if you wouldn't help
me get him up"
Gan right, 1 WILL" said Mr.. Boothby,
"as soon as can get my shoes on.
The stranger, who had taken the pre-
caution to keep out of the light, re-
NAMED outside. Mr.. Boothby left the
door ajar, while he got into his shoes.
"Shall I get your lantern?" asked Miss
Merrill, who had overheard the request
of the caller.
mo, you needn't bother to bring a
lantern" interposed the stranger, ''for
I've got one out In the wagon"
But Miss Merrill had already lighted
the lantern and, as Mr.. Boothby passed
out of the house, she handed it to him
and he took it along.
The two women went to the kitchen
window and looked out into the darkness
as the men went out toward the road.
They were walking side. by side, and by
the faint light from the swaying lantern
the women could SEQ that the stranger
was not quite as tall as Mr. Boothby.
That was all they noticed about the
stranger.
After half-hour had elapsed Mrs.
Parcher and Miss Merrill began to be
anxious about the absence of the hired
man, but Mrs. Parcher, who has way
of always looking on the cheerful side
of things, expressed the opinion that
Mr.. Boothby had not only helped the man
to get is horse up, but had driven down
the road with him to render further as
sistance.
Two or three times Miss Merrill went to
UQ0 UitCk uu0E " 4iSteH lOT UuO SOQQQ OF
| voices. Once she heard what sounded
like the scream of a woman. 1t seemed
to come from the woods toward the west,
rather than from the vicinity of the
bridge She heard it again, this time less
distinctly. She came to the conclusion
that it was the screech of catbird or
some animal, and! she said nothing about
it, not wishing to increase the anxiety of
her aged companion.
Time wore slowly away. Nine O'Clock
came and still Mr.. Boothby had not re.