The Republican journal., 1913-03-27
Attempted Murder and Suicide
in Frankfort.

Frankfort was the scene Wednesday night,
March 18th, of an attempted murder and sui
eide. James Kelley, Ct years old, attempted
to kill Mrs. John Lowe, neighbor, by slashng
her across the throat with razor, and then to
end his own life by hanging himself Mrs
Lowe was passing the home of Kelley, who
lived alone, about $50 p NJ, and he called her
in and then attacked her with razor. Neigh
bors who came attracted by her screams found
Kelley dangling on a rope from the ceiling
nearly strangled to death and cut him down.
Kelley was arrested that night by Deputy
Sheriff Willard NJ Berry of Stockton Springs.
He took his arrest coolly and talked freely
about the case He said that he was 67 years
DID, that he had been drinking heavily during
the day, and had no recollection of what hap
pened at night; did not remember of seeing
Mrs. Lowe or trying to kill her or of at
tempting to hang himself. He said that he
had started drinking whiskey, had taken a little
gin, then some Jamaica ginger and pepper
mint and then gone back over the route again.
His mind was blank as far as the events of
the night were concerned.
Kelley was formerly employed as a steve
dore by the Mount Waldo Granite Company,
but had been doing nothing for the past ten
years. Neighbors say that Kelley was good
natured and peaceable when sober; in fact had
for number Of years abstained from drink
ing, but this winter had "broken out"
Deputy Sheriff Berry took his prisoner to
Stockton Springs that night, where he was
kept under guard, and brought him to Belfast
Thursday turning him over to Sheriff Cush-
man at the Waldo county Jail at l p m. County
Attorney Eben F. Lttlefied. with steno-
grapher, went to Frankfort Thursday to inves-
tigate the case.
bod
razor, one across the throat and the other from
one corner of her mouth down across her chin,
but unless blood poisoning sets in it is believed
her chances for recovery are favorable.
James Kelley of Castine and John Kelley of
Searsport. sons of James Kelley, were in Bel
fast Saturday and spent some time with their
father at the Jail. MIR. Hayford of Milbridge
who married kelIey's daughter was also here
and arrangements were made by them to re
tain H. G.. Buzzell, ex-County Attorney. as
counsel.
Monday Kelley was before the Municipal
court charged with assault with intent to kill
Mrs John Lowe Through his attorney H. C
Buzzell. Kelley waived the reading of the
complaint and warrant. John R. Lowe, the
husband of the victim, was the first witness
He was at his home when his mother in law
came down the road screaming and said "some
one is being killed at Jim Kelley's" Accom-
panied by my little boy ! ran to Kelley's house
anu LiISu lle dOOT ara IQunQ IL locked,
kicked the door and Kelley called to me to &c
away; that ! had no business there | kept on
kicking and finally the door gave way and
went IN. My wife was on the bed with he1
throat cut and the bed was covered with blood
Kelley was standing in the middle of the fiool
with rope and handage around his neck, and
the rope led to the ceiling. There was no light
II the room, but ore was lighted by some
one who followed me in. Kelley had placed a
handkerchief between the rope and his chin anc
as his feet were only on the floor Mr. Lowe did
not think he was in any danger of suffocaton
The wltness said that he was 60 years of age
that his wife was 81; that they had been mar
ried Is years and had three children He
stated that they lived in a TWO room house
and that Kelley was frequent visitor-some-
times came two or three times day. He was
at their home on this day and when he left at
$50 p. M was not drunk; and we were all
friendly. when did your wife GO to Kelley's
house," asked Judge Knowlton II couldn' ;,
say. the witness replied. "She went down to
her mothers and started to come home with
one Of the children. When passing kelle 4
house he came to the door and asked her te
come in.
Jan es Page, Constable Lesan, Walter E
Leighton, J. A. Raymond and Deputy Sheriff
Wlart M. Berry were called and their testi
mony vas mainly corroborations of the state.
ments already given.
At the close of the hesring Judge Knowltor
bound Kelley ever to the April term of the S
]. court under 5000 bonds and in default OF
bail he as committed to jail to await trial