Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-10-24
Peter J. Loring, an Old
Town Indian, Murdered.
John Romeo, Suspected Of Deed
SurrenderS to the Officers.

Old Town, Me, Oct. 23.-Word was
| received here, this afternoon, of the
murder, early today, of Peter ]. Lorine
| at his home on the Indian Island reser-
walton. Loring is the son Of Frank
Loring, known to the Penobscot Inrfans
| as big Thunder" Loring's death was
caused by bullet from a special go
calibre rifle.
The authorities at once began search
fol- John Rance, also a Penobscot In
Clan, with whom, it is said, Loring and
his wife were seen, yesterday after
noon, in Milford, and who, it is said
roWei the couple to Indian Island, late
yesterday.
Romeo gave himself up, late this
afternoon, to Charles Mitchell, the In
dian Island constable, on Indian Island.
He had been hiding since the tragedy.
He was turned over to Sheriff Gilman
and is now i'll Bangor Jail. He refuses
to talk. He will be given a hearing,
tomorrow.
Romeo is about 40 years old, and has
d wife and three children.
The murder was discovered after
Mrs. Loring had notified her parents,
Mr.. ana Mrs. Sebattus Francis, that
her husband had been shot. Investi-
Cation disclosed Loring lying on the
ground in front of his house with a
bullet III his back just below the
shoulder blade. The ball had passed
entirely through the body and he died
within a few minutes.
IN | .nr,ncr'c hniIen cnani11
rifle, said to belong to Romeo, was
found and the furniture was in con-
fusion, indicating that a struggle had
taken place.
Search for Romeo was begun at once
and the canoe in which he is said to
have brought Loring and his wife to
the island was found empty on the Mil
ford shore.
1t is said that the Indians We're hold
ing carOusal at Milford, yesterday,
and that they We're warned by Officer
Frank Eastman to return to their is
land on penalty of being arrested.
1t is said that Romeo had borrowed
the canoe in whcih they crossed the
river for the purpose of going hunting.
Coroner Hartwell Lancaster was no
titled and arrived on the scene, early
Monday morning. He procured Il team
and took the body to the home OF Mr.
ara Mrs. Sebattis Francis where Mrs.
LOring went.
In the house was found Il rifle which
several testified belonged to John
Romeo and Oil the ground outside some
distance from where the body was
found. in all about so feet from the
house, was found a hat and a coat,
half dozen loaded cartridges a brok-
en- belt, some small change. silver and
copper pieces of small denominations
and an empty cartridge which fitted
the rifle. Those were placed in charge
of the coroner.
Deputy Sheriff Charles f. Rackiffe
was Immediately notified and soon ar
rived. He placed Il guard over the place
and began inquiries Immediately
among the members Of the tribe as TO
who had been in company with Loring
when last seen. Sheriff Gilman of Ban |
gor. was notified and County Attorney
Patlen came up on the 10 O'Clock car |
and at once proceeded to the island. |
One woman was held by Constable |
Mitchell on orders Of Deputy Sheriff |
Rackliffe and a search was instituted |
for Rance, but he could not be found |
Joe Swasson's canoe in which Rance J