Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-01-25
Convicted Of Murder Of
Miss Mary macAu|ey.
Deed Committed at New IfeIand,
n. B, August 10, 1906.
Collins Sentenced to Be Hanged
April rs Next.

Hopewell Cape, n. r.. Jan. "a
Thomas Collins was found guilty in
the supreme court today for the mui-
Ger on Aug IS, 1906, of Miss Mary ann
MacAuley, at the home OF hcr co"sih
in New Ireland, Rev. Father Mac Auict
the Roman Catholic priest of that par
i.h. The jury retired for dehbei;it'".'
of the case al 1870 this afternoon ana
reported q verdict in less than TWO
hours. Judge Gregory sentenced '-Gl-
Inns to be hanged April 20.
The trial of Collins which occupied
about 10 lays aroused mitch intcrcS-
throughout the province. AT the time
of the murder OF Miss MacAuley, COL
Inns had been employed for aboit w"
weeks as Il man of all work at the
home of the priest. He had appeared
ill the little parish of New Ireland as 4
wanderor, saying that he had been
sailor and Father MacAuley assisted
bin by Offering Linn employment at his
own home temporarily. Collins ac-
cepted the offer and performed chores
about the place, doing his work readily
and seeming grateful for the kindness
rendered him.
Of Monday, Aug. 20 and Father Mac
Auley, who had been away from home
for a few days on business in another
town, returned to fiEd the body of Miss
MacAulcy, his cousin ana hOuSeheerer,l
in the cellar OF TIE wOodsned adjoining
his house. Her threat was cut and her
skull crushed, while there were many
bruises upon the body. There was no
evidence of criminal assault. 1t is be-
lieved the murder was committed III
the woodshed and the body throw,
through an opening to the floor in The
cellar gold watch, a bracelet, money
and clothing belonging to Miss Mac
Auley were missing and also clothing
of the priest.
After a chase of about $50 miles
across country Collins was captured
about a week later in ST. George not
far from tie Maine boundary line. He
| denied any knowledge OF the crime
and maintained his innocence through
out the trial. Counsel for the defence
in the closing arguments asserted that
no evidence TO sustain the murder
charge had been presented hy the
crown and that at most it had onlv
/
robbery. The jury. however, soon
agreed on verdict of guilty.
! 1t Is believed that Miss MacAuley
mad quarreled on the day of the muir
Ger and that the man In a fit Of anger.
killed her. Miss MacAuley was SO
years old. Collins is 81 years of age.
and is native of England. He fol-
lowed the sea for several years.
The closing hours in the trial We're
marked by an address to the jury by
Judge Gregory, strongly against the
prisoner His honor spoke for an hour
ana half. When, after two hours
deliberation by the jury a verdict of
guilty was returned. Collins started
slightly but at once resumed his ac-
customed posture. Many in the court.
however. were affected and several wo-
men became hysterical.
Hon. Mr.. McKeown asked for a re-
served case on the ground that Judge
Gregory had wrongly permitted some
evidence. The judge said he would
hear argument on that later and then
addressed Collins briefly on the awful
nature of his crime, telling him he en-
tirely agreed that the jurys finding
He concluded by pronouncing his SEN
tence that he should be hanged April
%. The prisoner was then led back to
his CELL and as he walked across the
yard he talked to the constables and
laughed. The trial occupied nine days
were examined.