Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-10-09

Fayette, Ne, oct. 7.-(Special.-John
T.. Dunn, Il former Boston man. but
lately :; resident of this place, attempt
cd to murder Mrs. Laura NJ. Smith, 80
years old, and the wife Of Chas r.
Smith. here, this morning, and failing,
turned his weapon upon himself, ana
committed suicide.
Tie affair occurred shortly after Z
O'Clock. this morning. ut farm house
formerly known as the 'Smiley place,
about one mile from the center Of the
town. The cause Of the tragedy is APP
rarcltlv Il mystery, as neither the
wounded woman or her husband can
assign any reason why Dunn should
desire. TIE Death Of Mrs. Smith.
,rH. usual routine of farm life began,
this morning. as usual, at O'Clock,
anG Mrs. Smith set about preparing
breakfast for herself and husband, and
Dunn. who owned the farm. Alter
v:.tcring the horses. as was his usual
custom, Dunn walked into room ad-
inInin2 the kitchen. and catching up
e.. tbllDtI ItNblN'l' Bpiii'''a = -
Smith. who was standing in the kitch-
ci. near the range. Without word OF
warming. Dunn fired one shot at tn"
woman. and the bullet struck her IN
tina nrShv mart Of the left arm. Mrs.
Smith ran from the house, towards the
barn where her husband was finishing
the morning chores. When Mrs. Smith
reached her husbands side, sh" cried,
"Oh. [ have been shot, I've been
shot.
Simultaneous with Mrs. Smiths exit
from Inc house, Dunn. with smoking
Ii,tnl in rand. rushed out of the build
Ing hy the front door, and ran of down
the - al. disappearing from the sight
If iu.. .Imiths. who stood in tn" farm
v.lrl. Dunn had not gone but 4 rev
seconds when the Smiths heard III"
I,pnrt " II ristol shot Mr.. Smith gave
liz attention to his Wff"'S wound. ami
finding mat il was of 4 serious nature.
h,. took her to a u"ighh"rS house,
WHERE, she waited until Dr. Iiiinaf"rd.
a l,hv-f,iIl. who was hastily summon
~. arrived from Rcddfield.
Sr.ftn returned to the farm house
ANA ,f me road some distance from the
hvttlu%. h. cam" upon tn" prostrat"
rnrm If the Wuuld-hr murderer. y
hl-tv examination disclosed the fact
tll.t th" man WAS dead. and near him
INN tn. ristnl v1h which the suicide
v;.- accomplish y.
i't.n authorities were imcmdiatelE
notified. and Deputy Sheriff Brown "i
t,.iGcII. arrived. .aily this forenoon.
aud placed guard over the remains OF
pruu. Ia await IT,, arrival Of the cor
ou,r. AT noon, Sheriff Frank ]. Ham
arrilci from Augusta, IN company
with coroner T.. NJ. Henderson "t Hat
Lowell. TIL" officials viewed the BODY
of I,tuu. and decided that in view "t
I'm. testimony VI the Smiths, i Would
rt ~, necessary (" hold IN "Xamina-
tin. ~ the c.t@c was. without doubt
WIN, VIZ suicide. The body was removed
"a 4. nearby housc to await the atten-
tiuu vt an undertaken.
Although the Smiths assert that they
krnv of no reason why Dunn should he
smoked Ia ATTEMPT 10 murder Mrs.
smith. u,.ighburs living in this vicinity
L,Iiryr that the man was undoubtedly
Of unsound mind. and that through
,nuetIut worrying over financial mat
t,rS h,, was seized with the mama
which led to the contamination OF the
tragedy. The dead man was formerly
WI uiIa..r in the fire marshaTs Office IN
E"stuu. ana was about 80 years olu'