Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-03-30

The Hackett murder mystery is
again to be Investigated, after n lapse
of nearly seven years since pretty 49,
year old Matte IIackett vas strangl-
,, ed to ;lea.h in plain view Of hor farm
home at Kent's Hill
Deputy Sheriff Robert A Brann of
/ Readdeld, served suminonses. Friday,
upon a number of residents Of that
town, ordering them to appear before
the grand jury in connection with the
reopcning of this case, which is to be
takcr mp by County Attorney William
son when the I<ennebec county grand
jury comes in, next Tuesday. 1t is
reported here, on what is believed to
be good authority, that Bert Raymond
Of Mechanic Falls, whose name with
that of his wife. Mrs. Elsie Hobbs
Raymond, was mentioned in connection
with the original investigation of the
case, has been summoned and also
that 4 woman. whose name has not been
heretofore prominently connected with
the case. has also been summoned from
outside the county
Many residents of Readfied, ever
since the grand Jury failed 10 find an
Indictment in connection with the
mysterious murder of iS-year- old Mat
tie Hackett Aug. L. 1850, have keen
desirous of having the ease reopened
and it is said that It is largely on ac-
count of requests from thar town that
county Attorney WililanlMel has de-
eided To reopen the case. The utmost
secrecy in regard In the matter Is be-
ing maintained at tire county at
torney's office, That Official absolutely
declining to discuss the matter in ny
way or admit that either Bert Ray
mond, or any other Witnesses have
been summoned. 4 have no right to
tell anyone what matters the grand
jury proposes to investigate" said he.
But little had been heard Of the ease
for the past two years. lntl tate last
fall, when an Augusta young man.
John 14eClair by name. more Familiarity
known as Rosie" LeGlair. stated in
the presence of witnesses that he was
employed at the Hackett place ut the
time that the murder took place and
that he had seen woman talking
With Matte Hackett shortly before the
tragedy.
LeClair was privately brought before
the county attorney at the time and
confronted with Levi Haekett, the
father Of Matte and other parties from
Readfeld. Some doubt arose at the
hearing as to whether LeClair had
actually seen a woman talking with
Matte Hackett or whether he was re-
peatlng, as something he had wit
Messed himself, what others had told
him. He was unable to tell whether
the woman he had seen was young or
old, or to positively identify her. 1t
also developed at the examination of
the young man that there was a strong
likelihood that he was not employed at
the Hackett place until a year after
the tragedy actually occurred.
1t was apparent that LeClair's story
was not of sufficient importance to be
taken up with the grand jury when it
met in January and nothing further
was heard of reopening the case until
o few days ago. 1t has been suggest
| ed in some circles that some important
new evidence has actually been dis
covered, while others are of the opin-
| ion that in reopening the case County
| Attorney Williamson is simply allow
ing citizens of Readfield who desire a
further investigation of the case to
have one taken up When the officials
went to Readfield last November, after
! hearing the story of young LeClair. it
is said that they went over the ground
pretty thoroughly ard it is possible
I that some clue was picked up at that
| time which has led the county officials
1 to believe that an investigation at this
/ time may cause the grand jury to find
a true bill against someone.