The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-08-09
Drink and Jealousy the
Cause.
Murderer Was a Resident of
Windham.

North Conway. N. H., August S--A
murder, followed by suicide, due to jeal-
ousy and liquor, took place ON the public
highway at Quints Siding of the Boston
& Maine railroad, at Conway Corner to-
day. 1he principals In the affair were
Charles Bennett Of Windham, Me-, and
Ida Miller OF Standikh, Me. After Ben
nett had succeeded In causing the death
Of Ida Miller by shooting, he turned the
weapon on himself and took his cwn
life, rather than face the law and receive
the consequences Of committing a delib.
crate murder. The murder and suicide
have caused intense excitement in this
section OF the state, where both parties
were knowa 70 great many ef the peo.
pie. Ida Miller, the victim. was the di
yorced wife OF Maynard Miller, her maid
en- name being Langdon.ss The result OF
their marriage was daugttsr, now I2
years cid, who has resided with her mota.
er since the divorce was decreed For six
years after the divorce, Mrs. Miller lived
with Charles Bennett at Ossippee, N.
H.. though 1t is said they were not mar
ried. 1t Is claimed that drunken abuse
on the part of Bennett caused a sepaTa-
tion in the carly part OF the present year.
and for four months, Mrs. Miller had
not seen Bennett. About two weeks ago,
Mrs. Miller, her daughter and a 15-
year.old girl named Morrill,, drove up
from Windham, Ms. on -herrylng
trip to Moat mountain, and during their
stay they occupied tent on the NOUN
tain On Friday last they were Joined by
Harry Aofriil, the girls tro. her. Abort
! O'Clock this afternoon, Bennet; an.
peaFea at the wagon which tina berry
pickers had driven on the High street
ROAD, about mile and q half from their
tent. He was under tie influence of
liquor. but appeared kindly t1 the MEM
hers OF the party, and specially toward
Mrs. Miller and remained in their pres
ence about 80 minutes, when young Nor
rill started for their temporary home on
the mountain. The other members CT
the party drove down on the west side of
the read with Bennett In the wagon, and
during the trip lie partook OF more
liquor. but was not angry upon the refusal
Of the Others to join him.
About o'clock the party drove toward
North Conway. and upon nearing the viii
lage the girls waited at the Saco bridge
while the couple went into the village for
more liqror. Upon their return to the
bridge the pnriy started for @ lint's sid
ing, where they arrived between 8 ana 6
O'Clock. After driving up and down the
road near the house of A. ii. Qulnt, PEN
nett bega n to quarrel and forced the chill
dren from the carriage with cuffs and
threats. They graspsd the horse by the
bride, but upon being whipped up by
Bennett, the animal broke loose, ami
children started for the village after Har-
ry Morrill,, the last words OF Mrs. Miller
being sect to Harry as quick as possi-
ble.n
She was then struggling in the grasp of
Bennett, who was attempting to choke
her. The Children met Morrill, near tie
Red Eaqle house. and but 20 minutes
elapsed in making the trip. but when
thsy returned, they found the two dead
bodies. However, pass rsby had heard
the quarrel aud there were three witnesses
to the shooting. Their story IS to the
affect that they understood the man to
say: "Win you go back with mes' to
which Mrs. Miller answered: "No."
Bennett then drew q new revolver of
3e-ealibre from his pocket and shot her
twice In the neck and once in the body
he then threw her from the wagon and
turned the revolver on himself and fired
ons shot, which entered the skull under
the left ear. Both deaths were undoubt-
edly instantaneous. Benefits body then
fell from the wagon. after it hal gone
distance of about $50 feet from the spot,
where the bcdy of Mrs. Miller was lying
In the road.
As the laws Of the state do not allow
the removal Of the bodies until an Inquest
Is held, they remain there tonight,
awaiting the return OF Coroner Shedd
from Portland. The bodies are in charge
of Deputy Sheriff Lord and MIR. Gallon.
chairman of the board of selectmen. BEN
nett was about 40 years Of age; Mrs.
Miller 80.