Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-09-21
HE WAS JEAL GUS.
Malachi Barnes, East Sullivan,
N. H., Under Arrest
For Assault on Wife and Ashael Dun
ton, An Aged Boarder.
Latter May Die and Woman Is in Sc.
rious Condition.

East Sullivan, N. H, Sept. 2O.-The
circumstances surrounding the assault
at the home of Malachi Barnes, the
lage, last night. when Mrs Barnes was
brutally beaten, and Ashael Dunton, an
aged boarder in the family, pounded
into insensibility from which he has not
yet recovered, assumed a new phase,
today, when Sheriff VIM. futile placed
Barnes under arrest and removed him
to the county Jail at Keene, where he
is held on suspicion of having commit
ted the assault Frequent quarrels be-
tween Barnes and Dunton over Mrs.
Barnes, of whom the husband is said to
be jealous. strengthened by statements
made by the woman to the sheriff, are
the basis upon which the arrest was
made. Barnes stoutly denied any
knowledge of the crime and maintained
that he was in his barn when it oc-
cured.
When Sheriff futile arrived at the
scene of the assault, Mrs. Barnes gave
him to understand that the house had
been visited by a tramp who committed
the double assault. After several hours
investigation the sheriff was not salts
fed with this explanation and following
further statements by Mrs Barnes
placed her husband under arrest at
O'Clock, this morning. He was immedi-
ately taken to Keene and locked up.
Sheriff Tuttle returned to the village,
later today, visited Mrs. Barnes, who
was being cared for at the home of
Selectman Winfred White He was
closeted with the woman some time
and received a formal statement con-
corning the assault and the domestic
relations of the three people involved
He refused to make public the state
ment but said he felt thoroughly justi-
fed in making the arrest.
Afterward, he went to the barn and
house and in the yard discovered what
is believed to be the weapon with
which the bloody work was DONE In
the grass, a short distance from the
house, he found a bark peeler having
a blade two feet in length and a wood
en- handle of the same length. On the
blade We're blood stains and human
hair The blood had evidently been
wiped partially dry, but evidences of
bloody crime We're left upon it. I'm
der a couch in the kitchen he found a
fully loaded 32-calibre revolver. He
discovered absolutely no evidence of Il
tramp having been in the vicinity, last
night or yesterday.
The principals in the case are aged peo-
pie Dunton is rs. Barnes 70 and his wife
Il years of age. Dunton has been a board
er in the family for several years. al
though he has near relatives, including q
son. living. The two men are said to have
quarrcled frequently, Barnes showing
jealousy of attentions alleged to have
been paid to his wife by Dunton. Barnes
is regarded by his neighbors as somewhat
eccentric.
The theory of robbery was partially re-
moved, today. when Sheriff futile found
in the trunk belonging to Dunton some
$1iO0. A pocketbook was also found con-
tanning a small sum. Dunton however.
was supposed to have carried two pocket
books and the other, which was reported
as missing, last night, and which was
supposed to have contained $50, has not
been accounted for.
Mrs. Barnes is rapidly recovering from
her wounds, which, though severe and
painful, are no longer regarded as dan
gerouS