Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-10-12
Only Two Murders
in City Waterville
Since the Year 1902

the city of Waterville is remark
aole In many ways. Perhaps it would
take many columns to tell how Water
vile differs from other cities but the
particular way in which the city is
remarkable that might interest peo-
pie at the present time is that fact
mat during the time since WaerVille
was first incorporated as a town in
1902 there have been but two muir
ders. This fact is made doubly in
teresting because of the recent mys-
FERROUS death Of John Lacombe whose
body was found four days ago in a
cement pit by the Wyandotte Worst
ed mills. AS the authorities have
practically agreed that Lacombe died
natural death this still leaves the
record of more than century un-
touched.
The first murder that ever occurred
IN Waterville. Sept. so, 1S47, a little
over IS years ago. The next morn
ing the body of Edward Mathews, son
of Simeon Mathews and brother of
William Mathews was found in the
cellar under what was then Shorey's
clothing store. There were no marks
OF violence but as demonstrated by
Prof. j. R.Loomis of Colby college,
Mr.. Mathews had come to his death
by poison, dose of prussic acid
The crime was soon fastened onto
Or. Nalorous 2. Coolidge, very sue
ceSstul young physician of the town
INTO whose room at the Williams
mouse room at. the Williams house
Mathews had gone on the evening of
me murder. On account of the cir
cumStanccs and the high position of
the parties involved great interest
awakened. The trial occurred In
March 1S4S. The government was
represented by Samuel H. Blake, At
torney general and Lot NJ. Merrill,
George Evans and Edwin Moves con-
Quoted the defense in an exceedingly
able manner. The jury after being
out "a hours rendered verdict of
guilty. In town at the present time
there are very few that remember
this murder but when the Waterville
Sentinel ran story on the murder
during the past summer many of the
older people of the city found in their
possession ancient clippings telling
about the affair.
Last night Deputy Marshall George
n. Simpson recalled the killing of
Costas Lackarides by John Tharapis
on June IL, 1907. Deputy Marshall
Simpson was deputy marshall and
deputy sheriff at the time and he ar
rested Tharapis three hours after the
'1lme mad been committed, Therapis
'Uarralled with Lackarides in front
what is now the Crescent hotel
no drawing knife stabbed Lacka-
ldes to death. This occurred about
: o'clock in the evening and at
clock Deputy Marshall Simpson
went into room in the Gilman block
which. has burned and arrested Thar
apis for murder. Tharapis was in
room with 10 other men and a small
candle dimly lighted the scene. When
the deputy marshall appeared in the
doorway he was warned that he
would die if he came into the room,
The records show. however. that
deputy Marshall Simpson arrested
lhe man Just the same. Sixteen other
men were arrested and locked IN that
same night in connection with the
killing.
On the morning Of June 70 Thara-
PTS came before Judge f. X. Shaw in
the municipal court and pleaded not
guilty. Probable cause was found
and he was bound over to the SEN
tember term Of the Superior court in
augusta without bail. In this court
ne was round guilty and committed
10 the Thomaston State Prison where
ne served five years for manslaughter.