Murders of 1873 on Smuttynose Island, Maine

Together we take an in-depth look at what happened in the fateful early hours of March 6, 1873. This murder became infamous at the time and is relevant to this day.

First, we will set the stage with a description of Smuttynose and the other Isles of Shoals at that time in history, as we know it. Then we will take a look at the people involved, and their relationship to one another. This is a long and complicated story, so I will continue to refer to the who-what-when-where-how model of storytelling. There will be ample time for question and discussion as we progress into the story.

Please note that we will have to discuss some vividly gory details, and also talk about the characteristics of psychopaths. This is to be taken as a trigger warning before you attend.

About the presenter

Erine Leigh served on the Smuttynose Stewards Group that caretakes the Haley House and the island for its mostly absentee owners over the summer seasons for four years near the turn of the century. This unique opportunity gave her the ability to live, observe and write on Smuttynose Island for a week in June each of these years.

Erine also lived for many weeks on other islands of this grouping known as the Isles of Shoals. She first attended family conferences sponsored by the Unitarian Church when she was a child. It was then that she first encountered the murder story through Lyan Rudtledge's book. All relevant reading material will be available for perusal at the workshop. She also has volunteered and worked on Star Island and taken a course on Appledore Island, two places that play into the Smuttynose murder event.