Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-09-08
Mrs. Maude A. BurriI| Shot and Killed by VIM. /.
Brooks, Who Will Die--Ac Result Of Jealousy
and Quarres.. Brooks Drinking, Is Dis
chargedfromHerEm at BelgradeResoTi,

Belgrade, Me, Sept. (speciaD.-
The quiet Wynona camps, situated on
the west shore of the Messalonskee
lake between Belgrade and North Bel
grade were the scene of a double
tragedy about 3 o'clock Thursday aft
ernoon, when William j. Brooks of
Oakland shot and killed Mrs. Maude F.
Burrill, the keeper of the camps, and
then turned the revolver on himself,
infieting a terrible wound in his left
temple. He was alive at midnight, but
was not expected to survive. Jealousy
over the attentions paid the woman by
Albert Jack who returned To the
camps Wednesday, is supposed to be
the motive for the crime.
The shooting occurred in small
grove a few feet from the camps, but
there are no eye witnesses to tell ex-
actly what happened. Albert Jack, who
was in one of the cottages washing
dishes heard the two shots fired and
FASTENED to the scene. He found Mrs.
Burrill lying in pool of blood near a
tree, while Brooks. still alive. was on
the ground but a few feet from the
woman. The revolver, 32-calibre
weapon. was found at his side. Sev-
eral summer boarders at the camps
hurried to the scene and word was
sent from the Adams home, about a
mile up the hill for medical aid and
the coroner
Brooks, in a semi-conscious condi-
ton. was removed to a cottage, and
while he spoke to several of the per-
sons he would say nothing concerning
the crime. The dead woman. when the
coroner arrived, was removed TO her
cottage. Coroner John Thyng of Bel
grade took charge of the case, and lat
err had the remains removed to his un-
dertakng office. Deputy Sheriff Guy
Gleason assisted, being detailed BY
Sheriff Richardson and County Attor
nev Joseph Williamson. who were soon
informed of the matter.
Brooks. who is the son of Manley
| Brooks of Oakland, had been a fire.
i Guent caller ut tile camps during the
absence of Albert Jack and apparent
ly knew nothing of his coming
Wednesday until he came to the
camps on Thursday morning. II Is
alleged that he was slightly intoXi-
Gated and Il little trouble ensaed dur
ing the morning. 1t is stated by those
at the camps that Mrs. BtIrrill asked
| Brooks g go for some groceries une
il is supposed that while on this errand
he secured the revolver.
He returned TO the camps about
clock and after delivering the groc
cries asked Mrs. Burrill to come out
OF tho cottage. The two strolled along
the walk at the rear of the camps
| until they came to a small grove.
| They were talking loudly. according
to Others there. Suddenly the silence
was broken by two successive sAats
and the inmates ran in all directions
to ascertain the cause. The sight
which greeted their eyes was too
much for some of them to bear and
nearly all made preparations 10 leave
the camps Immediately. Coroner
Thyng. however, detained several, but
allowed several Massachusetts people
To leave for their homes.
Brooks who is about "a years Of
age, was formerly employed by the
Somerset Railroad and met with an
accident about one year ago, in which
his head was affected Since that
time he has had deliricus spells and
it is thought that he committed the
deed while in delirious condition.
He was employed in the wooden mill
ut Oakland.
An examination of the dead woman
showed that the bullet had taken eff
tect over her left eye and that she
must have died Instantly. The head
was badly shattered, showing that the
bullet must have been fired at close
range.
Mrs, Brrrill had been in charge of
the camps for many years. previo"s
- which she conducted restaurant
in Oakland. She was well known.
| She was about SO years OF age. a
| mother and SON residing in Oakland
| and a brother. O. II. Thompson OF Wa
| terville, survive.
| Some of the hoarders at the camp at
! the time when the crime was committed
: were Ernest c. Stetson George a. Bar
| rett, Maybell c. Fairbanks and Ruth r.
L HAYWARD. all of Broekton. Mass Mamie
! | Clukev of Waterville was at work at the
( cams These people were allowed to go
Ihome. but two Augusta persons and Miss
\ Cmkey were detained. pending the action
II of the county attorney.
H On account of the peculiar locality of
ii the camps. being remote from the high
| way. il was some time before the resi-.
H dents of that section were aware that
murder had been committed. and it was
over an hour before an officer or doctor
could he secured, Later in the evening
J Or. Holmes attended Brooks. When the
: news of the tragedy reached Wateryile