The Portland daily press., 1899-02-20

Washington, Me-. February is.-Nsws
vas received here early this morning that
horrible tragedy had occurred In the
town of Appleton. a small place about
three miles east of Washington, some time
during the night.
Mrs Albert Heisler, wife Of we'll
| Known farmer Of that section and Miss
rinkham, 1eyear-old daughter OF Mrs.
Hsisler. wers murdered at their homo
A warrant has been taken out charging
Albert Heisler with the crime.
After cutting the threats Of his wife
and step daughter, he attempted to end
his own existence In similar manner,
but his wound is not fatal and although
he was badly injured, 1t 10 thought he
will recover.
The tragedy was not known by tho
police until just after daylight this morn !.
ing.
Heisier % mt his 1syear-old daughter to
the house Of one of his neigh ors with
u message stating that there had been
trouble and asking that some one go to
the house
little girl closely and learned that Mrs.
Hsisler and daughter has been assaulted.
On reaching the house the neighbors,
Notwithstanding the statements made by
| the girl. werc not prepared for the sight
which met their eyes when they entered
the Heisler domicile.
Heisler was found In one room with
~ haA ha
with blood which he had evidently at
tempted to wash away. but his condition
was so weak that he was hardly able to
move.
In the bedroom Of Mrs. Heisler the lat
ter was found lying In bed with her
throat cut. She was dead and on the
floor near the bed lay the body OF Miss
Tinkhan, her daughter. She had been
killed by the same method which was
employed by the farmer to end his wife's
life. The bed clothing and floor of the
room were covered with blood, and there
was evidence that struggle had been
made by the daughter.
Those who 1rst saw Heisler think that
after failing 10 Kill himself by cutting his
throat, he attempted to finish the work
by taking poison, thought to be Paris
green.
The authorities Of Knox county. after
considerable delay, were notified OF the
murders and warrant WAS promptly
Issued for the arrest Of Heisler. IN es-
sage was sent Sheriff Nelson Ulmer Of
Rockland and one to Coroner Judkins of
the same town.
The Heisler house was taken charge of
the sheriff and coroner.
The exact cause of the tragedyis not
known here but 1t Is understood that the
domestic relations at the farm house were
not of the most peaceful nature. The
generally accepted theory is that Heisler
became temporarily insane rs the result
of domestic troubles
When the bodies were found they were
quite cold and from their appearance 1t
Is thought that the murders occurred
about midnight.
Mrs Heisler had been twice married,
the murdered girl having been the daugh-
ter Of her first husband.
Heisler had one child. q daughter of Is
years. who escaped his murderous work.
After d careful examination OF the
house where the murder took place q
numb Der Of knives were found this after.
noon with blood on the blades and all
had been recently sharpened showing that
the act was premeditated. A quantity Of
Paris green was also found and the physi-
clans stated tonight that there was little
doubt that Heisler had taken some of
the poison. Heisler was very low tonight,
and no hope is entertained Of his rscov-
cry. He is about Is years old and heavily
built. Since last fall he has been suffer
ing with the grip. An inquest was held
this afternoon but the jury did not finish
its work and adjourned till tomorrow.
HEYSLER DEAD.
Rockland, Me-, February i9.-Altert
Heysler who murdered his wife and step
daughter died during the night at his
home in Burkettville from the effects
of the Paris green he had taken with sui
cidai intent He never rallied from the
unconscious condition in which he was
found,
The coroner's jury sitting on the case
of the murdered women brought In q for
NAL verdict that the victims came TO their
death at the hands of Albert Heysler
with the aid Of blunt and sharp weapons.
The same jury Was then notified that
Hey sler was very low and the members
stayed and sat on the second inquest
They decided that Heysler died from an
act of his own.