The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-08-18
MURDERED
GIRL Who
AIDED Them

Kent's Hill. Me-, Aug ia brutal and
peculiarly atrocious murder was com
mitted here last night. the victim belng
Matte Hackett. the lS-year-old ~laughter
OF Levi j. Hackett, a well-known farmer
OF this community.
The countryside is aroused over the
affair. and offices and men are searching
the neighborhood for three tramps VINO
had applied at the house for food and
who are suspected OF having been the
perpetrators OF the horrible crime.
II was shortly after supper that four
men, evidently tramps called at the
Hackett homestead told story OF hav-
ing travelled long distance OF being In
need OF food, and asked that they might
be give something 10 eat.
Mr.. Hackett. who has a local reputa-
ton for hospitality, instructed his daugh-
ter to prepare meal for the four
strangers. While she was engaged In this
service Mr.. Hackett. accompanied by one
OF his guests. named Harry Jones. went
10 the nearby stable 10 do some OF the
evenings chores.
The other three men meantime re-
mained about the house. There was moth
ing I'm their appearance apparently 10
cause Mr. Hackett the slightest suspicion.
as he lelt his daughter alone with them
in the house. Mrs. Hackett at the time
was paying visit 20 a neighbor.
While Mr.. Hackett and the man Jones
were at the barn n scream az or one IN
distress was heard from the house. The
two men hastened 10 the farm house,
which they found 10 be deserted.
Mr.. Hackett expected TO find the three
men in the yard where he had left them.
but supposed that they had gone into the
house 10 await their supper Just as he
was about 10 enter the house second
time another scream was heard. this time
as II from the highway toward Readheld.
The farmer and Jones hurried down the
road. and at place about 30 rods from
the house found lying by the wayside the
body OF his daughter.
STRANGLED BY CORD.
He heard the sound OF the feet Of run
ming men making way across the fields.
AS soon as Mr. Hackett recovered he
summoned a neighbor TO his assistance.
When Mr.. Hackett and the neighbor re-
turned to the place where the girl lay
they found a small cord tightly drawn
about her neck. by which she had evil
IDENTIFY been strangled. although there was
also a fearful cash in her head. When
found the girl was unconscious and
breathing She died shortly after being
carried 10 the house.
The meal which the young woman had
been preparing for the men, whom the
police are OF the opinion accomplished her
death was on the table.
Harry Jones, who had made no attempt
20 get away. was. however. placed under
arrest He is about 25 years OF age. In
response 10 police inquiries Jones said
that he and the three men had been re-
leased from Auburn Jail yesterday morn
ing and had walked 10 Kent's Hill, dis
tance OF about q miles. He said the
name OF one of his companions was
James Brennan; the other two he did not
know.
Sheriff Cummings OF Auburn. who was
asked concerning the story OF Jones. said
that FIVE tramps had been released from
Auburn Jail yesterday morning. They had
ell been committed from the Auburn
municipal court. Their names are P. II.
Gibbons. James Brennan. John McEach-
ern Richard Love and Harry Jones.
While the motive for the horrible crime
Is not clear as yet, the police are inclined
10 the belief that the murderers had at
tempted TO assault the young woman
The wound on the girls head was evil
IDENTIFY caused by a blow with stonesor
club. II Is believed that the blow was
struck 10 silence the outcry of the victim.