“Suncook Town Tragedy (Josie Langmaid)”
Description
Josie Langmaid is on her way to school when she is accosted by (Joseph) LePage. He abuses and kills her. Her family searches for and finds her body. The killer is condemned to hang
Notes
Although Laws shows no signs of doubt about Le Page's guilt, the account in Burt makes it seem that the case was at least somewhat uncertain. Langmaid had been abused and then decapitated, but the only evidence Burt lists to tie the crime to Le Page is the fact that he had courted young girls (and Langmaid wasn't *that* young; Burt lists her age as 17). Le Page even had a partial alibi, but was convicted anyway. - RBW
Historical references
- Oct 4, 1875 - Murder of Josie Langmaid, reportedly by Joseph LePage
- Mar 15, 1878 - Execution of Le Page
References
- Laws F21, "Suncook Town Tragedy (Josie Langmaid)"
- Flanders/Brown, pp. 72-73, "Suncook Town Tragedy" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Burt, p. 57, "(no title)" (1 short text, 1 tune)
- DT 684, SUNCKTWN
- Roud #2259
- BI, LF21