Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-05-14
49, -ttaLs

Shirley, Me-. May 13.-One of the
most revolving crimes in the history Of
northern Maine came to light. today.
when the body of J. Wesley Allen. a
prominent and prosperous farmer and
member of the board of seiectmen of
l4-year old daughter We're found lying
among the smouldering embers OF their
home on the lonely stage road leading
from Monson to Moosehead lake.
The bodies Were burned so badly that
only the charred ana crumbling re-
mains of bones were left to show that
human lives had been sacrificed. on.
every hand We're evidences that muir
der, and even worse had been done.
Surrounding it all is an air of the
deepest mystery and the residents OF
Shirley and nearby towns are violently
excited.
The only clue to the identity of the
murderers is furnished by man
named Johnson. who reported, today.
that he had been held up, early This
morning. near Bunker brook. a few
miles from here. by four men. all Of
whom We're intoxicated and one Of
whom at least. closely answers the des-
cdiption OF one of the desperadoes who
held up the Willimantic stage, last
week.
That these men may have committed
the crime is possible or they may have
happened in the vicinity only by
chance However. they are being
hl1 ,l.aI ,t~,lt
be held until their movements for the
past few days are very fully investi-
gated.
The greatest excitement prevails to-
night in this entire community; the
stocks of arms and ammunition in the
village stores have been depleted by
farmers who fear n visit from the
murderers, and all conversation centers
about the Allen home.
The scene Of the tragedy where hur-
dreds had congregated during the day
was almost deserted at night fall. only
few of the neighbors remaining to
watch over the remains. which lie
where they We're found. this morning.
awaiting the arrival of the authorities.
1t is expected that the coroner wo,.id
arrive, tonight. accompanied by the
sheriff and country attorney and take
the remains in charge.
The discovery that a tragedy had oc-
Cured was made by Charles Tibbetts.
who. while driving down the stage
road with his children to the village
school. this forenoon. came upon the
ruins of the Allen farm house. He
at once left his team and on looking
about saw what appeared to be the
remains of n human body lying among
the ruins of the barn.
He then proceeded to where the
house had stood and among the debris
pieces of charred bone We're seen. He
then FASTENED away to the nearest
neighbOr. three quarters of mile up
the road toward the lake and told of
his discovery and in short time the
news had spread to all sections of the
town.
At first it was reported that four
bodies were in the ruins, and it was
believed that the fire and loss of life
had resulted from the carelessness of a
tramp who had taken refuge in the
barn, set the structure on fire by acct
dent and then persisted in the flames
which communicated to the house and
overcome the members of the Allen
family. asleep in their beds.
From careful examination of the
premises and the surroundings made
by q representative of The Associated
Press. who visited the scene, this
morning, however. it was evident that
this suspicion was entirely erroneous.
In the first place there We're only three
bodies. and the remains found in the
barn have been identified beyond doubt
as these of Mr.. Allen, by suspender
buckles, a knife and trinkets belonging
to him found near.
The bodies found in the house were
not near the sleeping apartments and
il is thus evident that the entire fem
lily were awake and not in their beds
just before death came.
Also. about % feet from the spot
where Mr.. Aliens body was found. on
the ground outside the barn there were
two large pools Of blood about foot
apart, and in one Of these was found