The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1905-08-24
Horrible Murder.
A Farmers Daughter Near Kents'Hfl
the Victim.

Farmers Daughter Near Kent'sHin
the Victim.
A most mysterious and brutal murder
was committed about o'clock, Thurs
day evening, August Il, on the road be-
tween Readfield and Ken's Hill, when
Matte Hackett, the 1S-year-old daughter
Of Levi L. Hackett, WAS stranged by the
roadside, Just outside of the yard OF her
home, and left to die by some assailaut
whose identity has not yet been dis
covered.
Mr.. Hackett had been away at work
for the day, and on his return late
hour, asked his daughter to prepare sup
per, the remainder of the family, the
mother and four younger children hav-
ing gone to a neighbors for an evening
call. Matte was washing the supper
dishes at the time, but Immediately set
about getting her fathers supper. Mr.
Hackett, meanwhile, went to the barn to
feed Up his stock, and while there a man
entered and asked if he could get some
supper. Mr.. Hackett replied that he
would see and went to the house and
asked Matte If she could get supper for
two.
The daughter replied that If the man
was willing to AXE what there was lief
he conld have supper all right.
Mr.. Hackett, accompanied by the man
then returned to the barn to complete
the chores and after having been at work
but few minutes he heard the noise OF
scuffiing and voices. fastening outside
accompanied by the stranger, the two
heard someone down the road say some.
thing that sounded like:
"You dirty thing -
The stranger remarked:
II guess there's trouble down there"
but HAckett thought il only the children
quarreling, and they went into the house
together.
When he failed to find his daughter in
the house, Hackett began to think there
was something wrong, and going to the
door he heard a sound as of someone
strangling. He rushed down the road
and found his daughter, her head in the
gutter and her feet in the roadway,
gasping violently for breath.
Several theories have been taken up
by the tfficials, including the report that
several tramps had visited the vicinity of
the Hackett homestead just previous to
the tragedy. Two tramps, who were
riding on freight train on the Maine
Central railroad, were held at Waterville,
but they were afterward released, as the
authorities are satisfied they had nothing
to do with the case.
The county officials have abandoned
the theory that the murder was COM
mitted by tramps. The officers incline
to the opinion that the young girl was
killed by someone who lives or formerly
lived there, and therefore knew Miss
Hackett well. For several hours they
investigated along this theory, but as
yet they are not prepared to announce
definite result.
Coroner Morse has made arrangements
for an inquest. A jury WAS empaneled
to take evidence, but no witnesses were
heard. Meanwhile DR.. Sturtevant OF
Augusta had arrived to hold an autopsy
under the direction OF the county au-
thorlties.
The autopsy revealed the fact that the
girls death was due entirely to strangu-
lation. A slight scratch on the nose and
finger marks on both arms were found,
but these were the only marks found.
There was no evidence of criminal
assault. The coroner ordered that por-
tons Of the body be sent to Brunswick,
for Professor Whittier of Bowdoln
college to make an analysis of the or
gans.
Harry Jones, the young man who
called at the Hackett homestead Thurs
day evening for supper, and who was
with Hsckett in the stable when the
murder was committed, has been taken
to the jail at Augusta, where he will be
held as a witness. Jones' correct name
Is Thompson. AS he had been in the
Androscoggin jail as a vagrant he gave
the name of Jones to Hackett, not caring
to have his relatives know Of his plight.
He had used the same name at the jail in
Auburn.