The chilling events of Tuesday, July 26, 1881, on Hampden Road (Hollow Road) in Wilbraham cast a dark shadow over the small community. The lifeless body of Rueben S. Cadwell, a 73-year-old town pauper residing with Cyrus Day of Monson, was discovered the following Wednesday evening by two men passing through a nearby pasture.
Cadwell, known for undertaking side jobs for Mr. Day, met a gruesome end. His face and head bore brutal bruising, while the marks of strangulation on his throat painted a horrifying picture. The location of his body, under a fence in a pasture south of Moses Hancock Jr.'s house, added an eerie element to the tragedy.
The events leading to Cadwell's demise centered around a task to drive a cow to the Hampden Road pasture. Morris Monihan, described as a shiftless and dirty individual employed by Mr. Day, accompanied Cadwell. However, Monihan returned alone to Mr. Day's home in Monson, claiming Cadwell had ventured in another direction.
An autopsy conducted by Dr. Holbrook of Palmer unveiled a fractured skull behind Cadwell's right ear, but the cause of death was determined to be choking. The windpipe had been so violently compressed that it was torn and disfigured. The body's advanced decomposition necessitated immediate burial.
Suspicion fell upon Morris Monihan, leading to his arrest. Despite loud conversations reportedly overheard between the two men after their pasture visit, Monihan vehemently denied any knowledge of the murder. However, the case took an unexpected turn in December 1881 when Monihan was indicted for manslaughter by the Grand Jury of Springfield.
In a surprising twist, Judge Wells declared Monihan insane, redirecting the course of justice. The accused was subsequently committed to the New Hampshire Asylum for the Insane. This turn of events not only highlights the brutality of the crime but also raises questions about Monihan's mental state at the time.
The historical narrative serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities surrounding investigations and justice in the late 19th century. The commitment of Monihan to an asylum suggests a recognition, albeit limited, of mental health considerations during that period. The mysteries and tragic end of Rueben S. Cadwell continue to linger in the annals of history, a haunting reminder of the challenges faced by communities in times long past.
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