Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2024 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Bangor Daily Whig & Courier Thursday, 27 April 1882 An important event has been the recent arrest of a man and a woman who lived with him for cruelty to two little children. The man's name is JAS A. BEAN, they came to Fort Fairfield a few years ago and have lived within a few miles of the village. Two little girls by a previous wife have lived with them for the past three years. The girls were aged respectively 7 and 10 years. A few days ago some neighbors complained to the Selectmen that these children were being abused. The Selectmen with de- puty sheriff went to investigate matters and the result was the arrest of BEAN and the woman. The children are a sight to behold. When they came to Fort Fairfield they were bright and smart, but now they are pale and deathly looking. One of the girls had the bridge of its nose broken by a blow and has a large bunch or kind of abscess on its nead, also caused by a blow. There is scarcely any hair on their heads, it having the appearance of being torn out. Their hands are blistered as if they had been held on top of the stove and their feet have been frozen. The particulars are sickening in the extreme. The abusive treatment imposed upon the children is too horrible to be conceived of taking place in a civilized community. A preliminary examination of the prisoners was held before a trial justice and Tyler's Hall was crowded. The prisoners waived ex- amination and were sent to Houlton jail to await action of the Supreme Court. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Portland Daily Press Friday, 28 April 1882 Shocking Tragedy The Terrible Treatment of Two Little Girls in Aroostook County. Last Friday, says the North Star, the people of Fort Fairfield were appalled to learn that in their town a crime, exceeding that of murder in cruelty, had been committed by two devils in human form. It appears that about two miles up the river above Fort Fairfield there have lived a man and woman by the name of BEAN. Little is known of or about them. It was known that they came there a few years ago, and that in a short time two little girls came in on the train one night and were carried to BEAN'S house. It is remembered by several persons that these children were healthy, well nourished, and decently clad. BEAN is known to own a small farm, some stock, and he pays his bills in the village, which he occasionally visits to trade. For a year past vague rumors have been afloat that the children were not well used. These rumors have lately been coming faster and of a more defi- nate character, till the overseers of the poor de- cided to inquire into the matter. Therefore, last Friday they, in company with Deputy Sheriff Esta- brook, visited BEAN'S house. Upon being admitted they found the woman, who was at once taken into custody. One of the little girls, aged about seven years, was sitting by the stove, a dazed ans stupid idiot, clothed in filthy rags that scarce covered her little body. An examinatin revealed the body a sore mass of wales, bruises and scars. It was difficult to find three inches of sound skin from her head to her feet. One hand had a huge blister, but whether from a blow or burn could not be ascer- tained. Upon the head was a large abscess of very disgusting appearance, while the hair was entirely off the head, having the appearance of its being at some time pulled out. The body was so emaciated that she had the appearance of having been long in a starving condition, though her many and serious wounds would be sufficient to account for emaciation. From a bright and natural child she had become idiotic, being unable to talk more than to answer yes or no to the questions asked. The other girl, aged about ten, was not so fright- fully mangled, though enough to move the strongest men to tears at the sight. One ear was ulcerated, and had the appearance of having been violently pulled. One of her hands was blistered and ulcer- ated, while one foot was in such a condition that she could only touch the toes to the floor. The hair was gone from her head also. The children, with the man and woman, were brought to the village. Monday, BEAN and his wife were ar- raigned before Justice Perry. They waived exami- nation and were bound over - BEAN in the sum of $1000, and the woman in the sum of $500. In default of bail they were committed to jail to await the action of the grand jury. The entire community in which this attrocious deed was committed is excited to the utmost point of tension, and it was feared at the examination that the bonds of prudence would be overleaped and summary and terrible punishment meted out to the guilty and craven wretches. It now comes out that many of the neighbors were knowing to some extent, of the cruelties practiced on the children, but through fear of vengeance of BEAN they dared not speak of the matter, or in any way interfere. It seems that the fiends, BEAN and his virago, would sometimes put these children in a hole, or so-called cellar, under the house, put down the trap door and a rug over this keeping them there in the dark and cold all day. Again, these children have been seen carrying wood in the cold, and miserably clad, till they would fall down with exhaustion. It is said that the children are BEAN'S by a former wife, now dead. ===========================================================================