Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-04-18
GRACE FAULk NER INTERVIEWED
CONNECTION WITH DEATH
OF MATTE PERKINS, H0UL TON

] I1OultOlI, 1lc., ApL1 lf.-T1AQuHy idS
revealed the names of the two girls
who, a week ago sunday morning were
seen coming from the Matte Perkins
home in the Hollow, which is now in
the limehght in connection with the
death under suspicious circumstances
Of Miss Grace Laskey, who was re-
ported to have died in the home as a
result Of alcoholism. Their names are
Maud Faulkner and Melvina Ross.
! Miss Faulkner was questioned by a
newspaper man Saturday and told the
following story:
Il went to the Perkins home between
$50 and 10 o'clock Saturday night.
Melvina Ross accompanied me. Soon
after securing our room we. went to
| bed. Before going "Reddie" Armstrong
returned from down town and Mrs.
Perkins told us that Grace Laskey was
there. We did not see her then for she
was in bed. Sunday morning between
7.30 and s o'clock Grace came to our
| room. She sat on the edge Of the bed
and talked. She seemed to be in good
| health and had combed her hair and
was partly dressed. helped to button
her waist. After little while Grace
asked if we had any liquor. We had
none and she said she would see If
Matte had any. She returned with a
bottle OF Hayners and I should say
there was about.half bottle. 1t was a
quart bottle. Grace took a drink. 1
| didn't think it was a very large drink.
1T was but a moment when she seemed
to reel and fell to the floor. We had her
carried to cot in the hall where she had
slept the night before. That is all knew
until 1 learned Sunday afternoon that
Grace had been found dead. I could not
| believe it and thought they must be fool
ing me. I had known Grace for about
three years and we were friends. I had
been at the Perkins house twice before
this night
i On being asked how she and Melvina
Ross decided to go to the Perkins home
i to remain Saturday night, she replied:
/ "Melvina did not want to 60 to her
| own home for fear her mother would
the Perkins home and stay. It was not
very late and all that I know Is that
Melvina did not want to be scolded by
her mother"
On being asked what she thought about
the statement of Matte Perkins that
Grace did not stay there Saturday night
but arrived at the Perkins home between
5 and $50 o'clock Sunday morning, Miss
Faulkner replied
| Il do not believe it, for Mrs. Perkins
! told us that Grace was there when we
came Saturday night and on Sunday
| morning between7 and 7.30 Grace came TO
our room"
Miss Faulkner was asked who the two
| men were that were seen going from the
Perkins home on Sunday morning with
them, and she replied: There were
| none. Melvina and left alone"
Asked about the story Of a soldier be-
ing there she replied: There was one
but I do not know who he was. They
said he was from st. John. I did not see
| any other men there but Armstrong.
did not think there was very much noise
! there that night. knew there was some
liquor there. ..,
On being asked where Melvina Ross
could be found she replied that Melvina
had gone to Amity, leaving on the stage
Tuesday. and was at the home of ner
uncle at that place, about 10 miles from
Houlton village.
Since the death of Grace, Miss Faulk-
ner said she had talked with different
persons who said that Grace seemed all
right on Saturday afternoon and at s
o'clock Saturday night.
At the Jail Saturday Mrs. Perkins still
insisted that Grace did not stay in her
home on the Saturday night in question,
but came there on Sunday morning at
the time as stated by herr
The findings in regard to the second
autopsy and the analysis OF the stomach
have not yet been revealed and will prob
ably be guarded closely.
Sheriff Bryson has secured much in
formation since the arrest Of Matte Per-
kins- and Armstrong, which will bear
considerable weight should the report Of
the examination of the experts reveal
suspicious conditions.
Some are inclined to think the girl
died from the result Of too much liquor