Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-09-14
DOUBLE MURDER.
Peter King of Fiskdale, Mass,
Crazed With Liquor.
Beats Their Heads to Jelly While IN
Bed, With Chair and Club.
Attempts Suicide and Is in Serious Condition
Placed Under Arrest.

Southbridge, Mass, Sept. 13.-News
was received here, early this morning,
of double murder which occurred,
late last night, near the manufacture
ing village of Fishdale, about 10 miles
northwest of this town. John King
and his wife, an aged couple, were kill
ed by their son Peter, who was crazed
from the excessive use of liquor.
The skulls of both were crushed by
a heavy instrument and death was al
most instantaneous. The murderer al
50 attempted to kill his brother, Thorn
as, but only succeeded in infiicting Sc
we're wounds. Peter is now confined in
the lookup here, and is in an uncon-
scous condition. He may die.
The authorities here We're first noti-
fed Of the tragedy, about II o'clock.
last night, the murders having been
committed about half an hour before.
The house in which the Kings reside
is situated on a farm on the highway
leading from Fiskdale to Brookfield.
and it is about a quarter of mile
from the former village. The house
was occupied by John King, a farmer
about "a years old, his wife, aged so.
and their sons Peter, aged SO, and
j
Peter had been drinking heavily for
some time and during the last few days
manifested symptoms of delirium ire
mems. The members of the household
retired as usual. about 10 o'clock. Half
an hour later Peter arose from his bed
and entered his mothers room, which
was on the second floor of the house
and near that of her elder son.
hat har ha N
was awake or not, for her son Thomas.
who slept on the same floor. heard no
sound until he was suddenly aroused
by a series Of heavy blows which came
apparently from his mothers room.
He left his own room in haste and had
just passed the threshold of his door
when he met Peter, who was acting in
a violent manner. Peter struck his
brother and felled him to the floor. He
attempted to regain his feet, but was
again knocked down by the Infatuated
man.
After a brief struggle Thomas man
aged to get away from his brother and
running down stairs, he unlocked the
front door and FASTENED to summon the
neighbors.
1t appears that before encountering
killed his mother as she lay in bed.
Her skull was crushed and the room
presented a horrible sight. After the
escape Of his brother, Peter went down
to the first floor, and after arming him
self with a club. entered the bedroom
of his father and killed him by several
heavy blows on the head The old
mans brains were despatched around
t.l1
instantaneous.
After finishing his work here, the
murderer ran upstairs. evidently with
the idea of finding his brother, whom
he was determined to kill.
About this time Thomas returned
with two Fiskdale officers and his
brother John. who resided a short dis
lance from the home of his parents.
They heard Peter moving about up
stairs and when John called to him to
down. After some little difhculty,
John seized the demented man, and
with the aid of the officers, he was
brought to Southbridge and placed in
the lookup.
After his arrival there he gave the
officers considerable trouble. He tore
off his clothing and attempted to in
iure himself by dashing his head
against the wall of the cell. He was
so severely injured and, this morning,
in in an unconscious condition.
Medical Examiner Bradford visited
the scene Of the murders and after
brief examination, the bodies were
taken in charge by the undertaken.
Peter King is a carpenter, but he oc-
casionally neglected his business and
gave way to drink. He is now formal
~ under arrest, charged with murder.