Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-05-03
ONE ARREST MADE
In the Sprague Murder-The
Coroner Investigating.
The Grand Masonic Bodies Continue
Their Meetings at Portland.
Funeral OF Late Payson Tucker Under Masonic
Auspices at Portland.

South Berwick, Me, May THE
great excitement which followed the
discovery of the murdered body of Mrs.
Fannie Sprague in the barn OF Law
renee j. Knight, under pile Of burn
ing rubbish, yesterday, had not sub
sided, today, when there was pros
afternoon, might disclose the motive
for the crime and, possibly, the iden-
tity of the murderer.
Early this morning. Selectman c. s.
Durgin and Constable Lewis Is. Arson
started for Eliot with d warrant for
the arrest of Eben Simpson. the man
alleged to have been named by Mrs.
Spraguc as the Ctne responsible for her
delicate condition. 1t was expected
that Simpson would be the chief wit
ness before the coroner, this afternoon.
Doctors Gerrish and jacques per
formed the autopsy on the body Of the
murdered woman. this afternoon, but
the result was not announced. Thr
physicians, acting under Instruction
from County Attorney w. s. Matthews.
| i'luN't " tlNuls,t tiitil iiIitIhS bhbli
they did So before the coroner ut the
inquest.
The authorities. here. were busy. to-
day in accommodating evidence in the
case in this vicinity. In course of their
investigation they called upon Cyrus
Goodwin, painter, who is at work
here and whose name has figured in
the case as that Of one who was init
mate with the woman. He was quos-
toned closely about his movements
yesterday. and he showed to the sat
isfactiCn of the officials that he could
not have been connected with the ar
fair.
Al l o'clock this afternoon. the jury
which rad been empanelled by Coroner
Ham. began its inquest when 10 wit
2esses We're examined. These included
George Warren; Lawrence J. knight.
who was the first person to discover
Mrs. Sprague's body: Drs. Jacques.
Gerrish and Lightle. who performed
the autopsy: Joseph Frost of Eliot. 4
former employer Of the dead woman:
Samuel Locke. by whom the Sprague
woman was employed lit the time Of
her death; j. r. Stimson Of Eliot,
brother Of the man under arrest: and
Everett Goodwin.
The most important witness was
Ehen Simpson of Eliot. who is suspect
ID Of completely in the murder and
who was arrested thcr5. this morning,
ny Constable H1dGGon and brought
here. about noon. Simpson is the man,
who. according to the statement by
Mrs. Fremone Littlafell, sister Of the
murdered woman. was said BY the lat
ter to be the father Of her unborn
child
Simpson testified that he was 46
years ola. a native Of York, Ne. ana
was widower with six children. on
Yronday, he said he went To Dover. \.
H.. after bad of barrels. In that
city he bought new suit of clothes
md pair of shoes. Returned from
Dover to Eliot by way of Eliot bridge
arriving home about p. NJ. on Tues
day. the day of the murder. he worked
on his farm until o'clock in the af-
ternOon. when he went to Portsmouth
to buy some grain and returned on the
train. arriving in Eliot, at 5.4j. He
said the Sprague woman had kept
house for him for a short time about
year ago and swore that he had
never been intimate with hcr.
Simpson was called before the jury
twice during the afternoon. to testify
and it is understood that his stories
connicted and were unsatisfactory. At
one time he asserted that he went To
see a resident of Eliot about Il job of
work and in order to substantive his
statement Coroner Ham went t. Eliot,
this evening. to see the person men
toned whose name is withheld.
The inquest then adjourned, at 80
r. NJ, and will be resumed. Mt
o'clock tomorrow morning. when Sinp-
son will he further examined and other
witnesses will he called to give cyl
dence. Simpson has not been placed
under lock and key. although he IS
under close surveillance.
MASONIC GRAND BODIES