Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-04-07
MELVlNE CAUGHT.
Mars Hill Wife Murderer Cap
tured in New Brunswick.
Made No Resistance and Consented
to Return to Maine.
Quick Capture of Maine Murderer
Across the Border.

Blaine, Me, April CATER three days
and nights of driving over almost i'm
roads in a heavy snow storm,
which at times was at blizzard pitch,
the officers, early today, captured
Charles F. Melvine, the self-confessed
murderer of his 1S-year-old wife. He
was caught at Carlingford, N. B., about
20 miles from Woodstock. Since Thurs
day night, Melvine walked without rest
along the roads, the most part of which
were covered with two feet of soft
snow. This morning, Deputy Sheriffs
Hersom and Barrett of this town, and
Deputy Sheriff Foster of Carleton
county, n. e., recognized him in front
of a farm house at Carlingford and ar
rested him without resistance, although
they took every precaution to antici-
pate an attack. Melvine was brought
here, this afternoon, and after pleading
guilty at preliminary hearing was
bound over to the April term of the su-
preme court. He was taken to the
Houlton jail
The hunting down of Melvine by the
three deputy sheriffs was one of the
most trying ordeals in their experience.
They not only faced for the most part
of their journey a fierce snow storm
accompanied by sleet and biting cold
but expected to meet resistance from
a well-armed and desperate man.
Realizing Melvine had a 24-hour start
they took little rest and refreshment
but pushed continuously onward.
They left here, Friday noon, and fol-
lowed the st. John river down to Flor
enceville, n. b., finding no trace of Mel
vine. There they We're joined by
Deputy Sheriff Foster and worked back
along the river through villages and
hamlets. searching houses and making
inquiries but finding no tidings. The
search was continued, Saturday night,
in a binding storm of hail and sleet,
and. yesterday morning, they arrived
at Andover in Victoria county. There
it was learned they were on the right
track, and, last night, they came to an
empty house where they suspected
Melvine was hiding. Cautiously adj
vancing not knowing when they would
be fired upon, they searched the house
but did not find their man. The storm
changed to a blizzard with a heavy fall
Of snow through which the deputy
sheriffs followed the tote road all night
AT daylight, this morning, while APP
oroaching the farm house of Charles
Miller in CarIingford Victoria county,
they saw a man in the yard whom they
recognized as Melvine.
The officers separated, two going be-
hind him, before their presence was
was known. Deputies Hersom and
Barrett, with rifles ready for instant
use, advanced toward Melvine, who,
when ne saw them, dropped an axe he
vas holding, and reached for q revol-
yer. He was not quick enough, as the
officers had him covered and disarmed
him without further resistance.
The officers with their prisoner Sc
curely shackled went to Florencevile
by train and from there returned to
Blaine by carriage, Melvine waving
aXtradition rights.
He was arraigned before trial JUS
ice John NJ Ramsey at 3 o'clock, inn
nediately after arrival here and plead
ID guilty to the murder charge. He
vas bound over to the April term of
the supreme court which will convene,
April u. He was ordered committed
o the Houlton Jail without bail.
When Deputy Sheriff Hersom took
the prisoner to Houlton, tonight, a
,arge crowd gathered at the depot but
40 attempt was made to modest him.
He presented disagreeable appear
lnce. His smiles We're more vicious
than pleasant, but not sullen. He wore
don't care" expression, which evil
lently was forced. When pleading
guilty in court he began chewing a
large piece of tobacco.
Intense excitement prevailing in this
part of Aroostook county since Friday
morning has aba ted now that Melvine
is in custody.
Houlton, Me-, April 6.-Charles F.
Melviue, who pleaded guilty to the
charge OF wife murder before a Blaine
trial justice and was lodged in Jail
here, tonight, said he felt no remorse
COR his crime, claiming his young wife
aad been unfaithful to him. He did
lot know what effect mis- bullet had
until told, tonight, as he ran from the
aouse after firing one shot.
In reply to the question: when your
wife agreed to go for a walk with you
why did you shoot herr he said: 81
lon't know
He said he offered no resistance to
the officers, as he know they would cap
ture him any way. He travelled almost
.ODtin1l0ES1y obtaining n meal or two