Thorndike, Maine, USA
1873 - Thorndike murders

In 1873 John True Gordon, after a family dispute, killed his brother, sister-in-law and their daughter while they slept, with an ax. He then set the farmhouse on fire and began saving the furniture. A farm worker also living in the home, woke to the smell of smoke, raising an alarm. 2 young family members escaped to the neighbors, as the surrounding farms turned out to help put out the fire.

John True Gordon was quickly arrested and held for trial. One of the biggest that Waldo County had ever seen. After offering little defense he was convicted and sentenced to be hanged with the Smuttynose Island Murderer Louis H.F. Wagner on the gallows of the Maine State Prison at Thomaston.

On the day of his execution, June 25, 1875, John True attempted suicide and had to be carried to the gallows and held in place while the trap dropped.

Months after the execution, police received a mailed letter of confession from an anonymous source claiming responsibility for the murders. The truth about the case is still unknown.

Gordon's victims were buried in Thorndike and it was said the funeral was attended by 5,000 people and over 500 wagons. The Thorndike Slayer was recently included in a book entitled Return to Smuttynose Island and other Maine Axe Murders by Emeric Spooner.

wikipedia.org

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