The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-04-25

The facts that lead up to the arrest of
Terrio were as follows:
At the inquest there was certain
amount of circumstantial evidence that
raised suspicion toward a certain man,
a resident of Moose River settlement.
That man was Alexander Terrio. The
officers, Sheriff Pennell and Deputy
Sheriff Charles b. Haskell, stayed in the
Lake region and began systematic
search for the murder.
Joseph Moreau, a guide in that sec
ton, had said that he would bet he
could name the man who committed the
crime. Moreau, was interviewed and
the information obtained from him was
enough to strengthen the belief of the
sheriff that they were on the right
| track when they suspected Terrio.
The conduct of Terrio was the first
thing to look into. 1t was found that
he had not been employed to any con-
siderable extent during the past winter.
In support of this is the statement made
by Rev. Father Forest of Jackman,
near where Terrio lives Father Forest
has charge of the Catholic parish which
includes the Moose liver and Moosehead
lake region. He is in n position to
know the general conduct of all of his
parishioners and Terrio was one of
these. Standing in the station at Jack
man, Thursday, Father Forest said in
the presence of the reporter that Terrio
had not worked any of consequence dur
ing the winter, that he had been idle
great deal of late; had found fault with
the priest because the latter would not
help him to the extent he desired; that
Terrio had abused his wife; had lived
upon small remittances from accident
insurance and that during the month of
March he suddenly became flush with
cash.
Sheriff Pencil had learned that a few
days before the murder was committed
Terrio had tried to borrow money of
several people aud had failed. The
sheriff also learned that a few days after
the murder Terrio had paid several
small bills and had also paid $40 on the
debt which is upon his home. In sup
port of the statement that Terrio had
money within a few days after the crime
had been committed, are the receipts
and credits which were given him at the
time he paid the small bills referred to
and the installment upon the debt on
his house.
The murderer had 80 80 calibre rifle.
He must have purchased it in that sec
ton as he had not been away from
home for the winter Sheriff Pencil
went to Greenyille. Monday night, salts
fed himself that the rifle WAS not
bought there and the next morning set
out for hineo. The trip up the lake
was a dangerous one At this season
the ice is honeycombing very fast.
That day three pairs of horses were lost
through the ice of the lake and two
other teams broke through but the ami.
mails were saved The sheriff took an
early start, taking advantage of the
crust which had formed during the
night and reached there without accI-
dent. 1t was at the Kineo store that
the officer learned that Terrio had pur.
chased a rifle early in March of the
calibre 80 80 The day book of the
Kineo store shows that a rifle of the
style and calibre like the one in the
case, was sold on n certain day and the
clerk who knows rerriu, says he knows
that he is the man to whom the rifle
WAS sold. The purchase of rifle at
the season when Terrio bought his is
something unusual as the season for big
game had been closed more than two
months. This proved that Terrio had
been in the vicinity about the time of
the murder. Here then. the sheriff had
established the two essential points at
law, exclusive opportunity and motive.
Sheriff Pencil was aware of the
whereabouts of Terrio and on Nednes
day started over the ice and through
the woods for the Gerrish drive on the
Socatean There TeTriO was found and
arrested The prisoner maintained a
calm exterior and made no resistance.
The trip of sheriff Pennelfs party to
make the arrest was full of excitement.
The party crossed the eight miles of
Moose head safely to the mouth of Soca-
team river and started up the stream on