Contributed by Maine Historic Preservation Commission
Description
In the rural town of Thorndike, farmhand Eldon Ward awoke to screams and smoke in his employer’s home. He found Almon Gordon (1848–1873), his wife Emma (1850–1873), and their 17-month-old daughter Millie bludgeoned in a downstairs bedroom, with the house in flames. Their five-year-old son Ira survived, while Almon’s brother John True Gordon (1844–1875) and niece Anna escaped unharmed. Suspicion fell on John, who had blood on his clothes and tried to stop Ward from raising the alarm.
Arrested for murdering his brother and his family, the state of Maine tried John Gordon. During the trial, the jury toured the Gordon homestead and viewed photographs of the property and crime scene. In that era, photographers sold collectible items related to murders, like this 3-D capable stereo view of the Gordon home.
About This Item
- Title: "Gordon murder scene," Thorndike, ca. 1873
- Creation Date: circa 1873
- Subject Date: circa 1873
- Location: Thorndike, Waldo County, ME
- Media: Stereograph
- Local Code: MHPC.S.16649
- Object Type: Image
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
People
Other Keywords
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historic Preservation Commission55 Capitol Street, 65 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0065
(207) 287-2132
Website
Use of this Item is not restricted by copyright and/or related rights, but the holding organization is contractually obligated to limit use. For more information, please contact the contributing organization. However, watermarked Maine Memory Network images may be used for educational purposes.
More to Consider
Item 152243
Portrait of Clifton Harris,1867
Please post your comment below to share with others. If you'd like to privately share a comment or correction with MMN staff, please send us a message with this link.
