Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-09-12
WILLOWS TRAGEDY.
Holbrook Held for the Murder
of His Wife Josie.
No One Saw Deed, but the Evidence
Is Against Him.
Committed Without Bail to Await
Grand Jury's Action.

Wilton, Me. Sept. 11.-Evidence was
introduced at the coroner's inquest,
Wednesday afternoon, which caused the
jury to render verdict that Josie Hol-
brook came to her death by reason of a
bullet from a revolver held and fired by
Herbert E. Holbrook
Witnesses testified that Holbrook
and his wife were quarrelling all night
and We're having an exciting dispute
when the shooting occurred. A careful
examination showed only the slightest
trace of burned powder on the woman's
face, so that she could not have turned
The revolver against herself and COM
mitted suicide as Holbrook claims. He
says that she fired one shot at him and
two at herself, while only two bullets
have been found, one in the top of her
head and another in an adjoining room.
There were two empty shells in the re-
volver found near the feet of the
wounded woman. Holbrook had a
fully loaded 32-calibre revolver in the
hip pocket when arrested. Mrs. Hol-
brook did not regain consciousness af-
tel the shooting.
According to a statement made by
Hobrook to Deputy Sheriff Sanborn,
who made the arrest, he made certain
accusations against his wife. He says
he told her that the house was not
large enough for both and she would
have to leave. He claims that she
3S- calibre revolver then turned the
weapon upon herself and fired the shot
that caused her death.
Two shots were distinctly heard by
several parties. Mr.. Holbrook the
| father, rushed up stairs but did not
enter the room. Within was Holbrook
| ia an excited condition and his uncon-
scous wife lay on the floor, grooming
with mortal wound in her head. In
| the room were two empty whiskey bot
| ties and one partially filled. also several
drinking glasses showing recent use.
HoIbrook was arraigned before Judge
| Henderson in the Pennington munich
pal court. Wednesday, probable cause
| was found on the charge of murder and
lie was committed to Jail without bail
| The inquest came to close We'd
nesday afternoon, after rendering the
verdict of guilty against Holbrook
| Coroner Fred p. Adams presided ovel
the short session and the evidence foi
the State was in the hands of County
Attorney II. S. Wing. The jury con.
sisted of Cyrus Henderson. f. f. Noyes
A. B. Allen, G. G. Fernald. w. A
Palmer and Milton Holmes.
The first witness to be heard wa
George Holbrook. father of Herber
fLlbrook He stated that he heard tn
REPORTS of two shots, but did not know
how the shooting was done. His wife
Fmma L. Holbrook, heard reports ant
whom she saw her son he was in
greatly excited condition. Both testi
field that there was much excitemen
and loud talk in the sleeping room q
the young people during the night blu
10 serious attention was attracted
When they arrived on the threshold Q
the room. young Holbrook was stand
Ing about eight feet from the body.
Drs. A. B. Adams and w. F. Trefe
then. who attended Mrs. Holbrook af
the shooting and performed the au
: tonsv. testified regarding the autops.
| stating that she died at 2.23 p. NJ
Tuesday. They testified that neithe
the face nor hair of the woman wer