© 2014 ISHRA Volume 23 Issue 2 Fall 2014 Our mission is to locate, collect, organize, preserve, expand and make available information and knowledge relating to the natural and human history of the Isles of Shoals

Case Closed on the 1873 Smuttynose Murders

Will be the Subject of our Program Tuesday, November 11, 2014 by J. Dennis Robinson

Born in Worcester in 1951, Dennis says that he was always a writer – probably worked out his first essay in the womb – and has sought to press boundaries, advancing his own unique attitude and applying it to whatever comes across his desk. Having written a comic play called “Mr. Cleopatra” in grammar school he secured his first regular position as a journalist in his freshman year in high school with a regular column in the local J. Dennis Robinson, author & historian community newspaper. Immediately evincing his sharp-edged attitude Casual in his attitude regarding attendance he and willingness to “speak truth to authority” he found himself called on nonetheless received straight A’s in English classes, the carpet in the principal’s office for a petulant and very negative his frequent absences were overlooked and he was review that he wrote of the historical novel Johnny Tremain. Those of us nominated to the prestigious international high familiar with this icon of adolescent American historical fiction realize school journalism honor society, Quill and Scroll. that such action was nearly as objectionable as would be doing a take- Dennis says that back then everyone “knew” that down of George Washington, and for this Dennis was threatened with he was going to be a big shot author – fame, money, dire censorship unto death. However, quickly devising an end run movie contracts. “But,” he says,“ I’m not rich and around this obstacle he went on to write whatever he pleased. famous.” However, thanks to his inventiveness, Dennis says that, “As a scrawny sickly kid in public school, any talent for diversification and appetite for hard power source would do,” and he quickly recognized the power of the work the days of working two jobs just to make pen, buying off would-be-bullies by ghosting their overdue essay ends meet are in the distant past. He has been a assignments. He also wrote poems for the school literary magazine, freelance writer since 1973 with over one-thousand songs to attract difficult-to-date girls, covered basketball games for the articles and essays in New England publications statewide daily and edited the school newspaper. and Web sites and is a contributor to The Portsmouth Herald, Early American Life, Foster’s Sunday Citizen and the UNH Magazine In 1996 he launched the Web site SeacoastNH.com which posts content about local and regional history, receiving over a

thousand “hits” daily. As an author he has eleven books about American history in print in addition to children’s books including juvenile biographies of Jesse James and Lord Baltimore besides an excursion into “heavy” journalism – a book exploring the history of child labor exploitation in America, Striking Back: The Fight to End Child Labor Exploitation.

Nottingham Galley Wreck on Boon Island - 19th Century Lithograph Dennis currently resides in Portsmouth, NH. September Shipwrecks Conference - Page 6 Page 2 ISHRA Newsletter Vol. 23 Issue 2

Letter from the ISHRA Board It was a wonderfully busy summer but fall is upon us and activity on the islands is winding down. The students on Appledore are getting ready to return to mainland This fast-moving season has seen lots of changes in schools, the Smuttynose Stewards are cleaning up and the Isles of Shoals Historical and Research Association. winterizing, and on Star Island the PELs are preparing to We welcomed new Board members: Sue Murphy and leave the island to the birds, and the wind, and the ghosts Cindy Martin, and it is with heavy hearts and gratitude of summers past. that we say goodbye to Board Member and Treasurer As winter arrives we will all be busy with seasonal John Diamond who has served ISHRA in countless ways activities, however on some cold snowy afternoon as you we can only begin to thank him for. John will be stepping thumb through a photo album or a book about the Shoals, down after several years of service and his presence on the or perhaps your eye falls upon the pressed seaweed or Board will be greatly missed. piece of sea glass or pipe stem you left on a windowsill, In late fall Alexandra de Steiguer arrived to keep you will be transported back to a golden summer day at winter watch over the buildings and grounds on Star the Isles of Shoals and you will begin to daydream and Island. At this past Spring Meeting she treated us to an plan your 2015 summer visit. Share those daydreams and awe inspiring look into her winter world at the Isles of make those plans with your fellow Shoalers at the Shoals. Alexandra shared many of her photographs from November 11th Membership Meeting or at the January 25th her new book Small Island, Big Picture - Winters of Solitude Winter Social. Teach an Artist to See, allowing us to glimpse a time and place very few of us will ever have the opportunity to see. Many non-winter visitors do continue to explore th Star Island via the Isles of Shoals Steamship Company’s 4 ANNUAL ISHRA WINTER SOCIAL Day Visit and Walking Tour Cruises. ISHRA’s own Star Sunday January 25, 2015 Island History Docents continue to lead the very popular from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. First Congregational Church one hour walking history tours. Jim Rock took over the of Kittery Point Docent Program this past summer and was able to expand it to cover every trip without fail. As summer’s golden haze fades to autumn crispness Congratulations to Jim and his dedicated History and winter’s crystal white don’t let your Shoaler friends Docents. and family drift too far away. Come together again at The June Conference, “Changes in the Sea: Marine ISHRA’s 4th Annual Winter Social. If the past three years Science Discoveries” was a great success. Conferees are any indication it will be another unique and fun filled enjoyed educational lectures, artistic activities, a whale ISHRA event. and bird watch trip, boating and island exploration, as Mark your calendar – January 25, 2015 from 1:00 to well as the company of cherished friends and time spent 3:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Kittery contemplating Gosport Harbor from the comfort of a Point. favorite rocker on the porch of the Oceanic Hotel. Bring your favorite side dish, appetizer, beverage, or ISHRA member Jean Stefanik applied for, and was dessert for the pot luck luncheon, the seafood chowder is approved for a grant to purchase four kayaks, paddles, on us. Most important, don’t forget your photo albums, and life jackets. Thanks to her efforts the boats were Shoals memorabilia, and memories to share. donated this past June to the Star Island Corporation and This year ISHRA will also include a surprise were in almost constant use during the summer. fundraiser to benefit ISHRA Conferences, Speakers, and This year also saw the 400th Anniversary of the Social Events. Captain John Smith Map of New England. Historic reenactments and educational exhibits organized on Star Island celebrated this notable moment in time and the ISHRA Media Contacts Isles of Shoals place in it. Cassie Stymiest The ISHRA Newsletter is Produced ISHRA Webmaster and Edited by Richard Stanley

[email protected] [email protected] Vol. 23 Issue 2 ISHRA Newsletter Page 3

2014 ISHRA June Conference Financial Changes in the Wind Changes in the Sea and Marine Science Discoveries ISHRA’s mission has been and remains a commitment to locate, collect, organize, preserve, The 2014 ISHRA June Conference was a resounding success as expand and make available information and friends old and new gathered on Star Island to explore the “Changes knowledge relating to the natural and human in the Sea and Marine Science Discoveries” on and around the Isles history of the Isles of Shoals. of Shoals. Speakers from the Shoals Marine Lab, the University of Since its inception ISHRA has been able to Maine, and our own ISHRA President Dr. Nathan Hamilton serve this mandate with uncompromising pride, entertained and educated twenty-five happy conferees as we and enthusiasm. However, as economic times traveled through fourteen thousand years of natural and cultural change we are faced with the reality that we history at the Isles of Shoals. Walking tours brought to life the must keep in step with them. It has become geology, marine wildlife and flora and fauna of the islands. Amy apparent to the members of ISHRA’s Board of Cook pointed out often unnoticed photo opportunities, focusing our Directors that if we are to continue to provide attention on many things which surprised even the most veteran the same level of service and opportunities to our Shoaler. members, and all students of Isles of Shoals Creativity flourished under the talented guidance of Amy Cook History, we must increase and diversify our and Gretchen Gudefin as we learned about, collected, and pressed financial base. seaweed and worked polymer clay into replicas of ancient ivory and We have therefore determined that this will bone, producing wonderful souvenirs of our time together on Star best be accomplished with a small increase in Island. membership dues as well as a more focused effort Quiet time was devoted to socializing in gatherings at several in other forms of creative fundraising. different locations across the island, and rocking on the Oceanic Beginning in 2015 ISHRA Single porch. The highlight of the week may just have been the excitement Membership Dues will increase to $20 per year, of the Whale and Bird Watch aboard the Granite State, or the Family Memberships will increase to $50 per Captain John Smith Anniversary events enacted to celebrate the year, and Lifetime Memberships may be 400th Anniversary of the Creation of his 1614 Map of New England. purchased for a onetime payment of $250. A delightfully touching Chapel Service and Blessing of the In order to continue offering the high Boats reminded us all just how precious these islands are to each quality summer conferences, membership and every one of us and how close are the ties to the ocean that bind meetings, speakers, bi-annual newsletters, social us together. Many conferees took advantage of the new kayaks and events, and grants that our members deserve, explored Smuttynose, Malaga, and Cedar Island from a watery ISHRA will also hold a variety of fundraisers and vantage they had never seen before. look to our dedicated members for additional A private concert by the Star Island Music Director Sara Lewis donations. put the finishing touch on our island time, and sent us off with the This has been a difficult decision and the sweet words whispered in our minds “you will come back, you will Board members thank you for your come back…” See you all next June. understanding and support.

ISHRA June Conference Attendees Page 4 ISHRA Newsletter Volume 23 Issue 2

Case Closed on the 1873 Smuttynose Murders The facts behind the upcoming new book

Mystery on the Isles of Shoals By J. Dennis Robinson

Shoals historian Bob Tuttle and I could never agree about the Wagner ax murder case. We argued about the infamous murder Wagner had been a tenant of the Hontvets the trial when we were on Appledore. We argued about it on the previous year on Smuttynose and had returned that Oceanic Hotel on Star. We argued about it aboard the M/V Uncle night to rob them of $600 he believed they kept in the Oscar en route to shooting a sequence for the Boston version of the house. John Hontvet, his brother Matthew, and his TV show "Chronicle" on Smuttynose Island in the late 1990s. And brother-in-law Ivan were stranded in Portsmouth all we argued about it on the way home while drinking Smuttynose that night and discovered the murdered women and Ale with TV host Mary Richardson. Maren the following morning. They quickly deduced Bob and Dorothy "Dot" Tuttle did an enormous amount of that Wagner had stolen a dory, rowed to the island, research in their effort to prove that Louis Wagner was innocent killed the women, and returned to Portsmouth with of killing Anethe and Karen Christensen on March 6, 1873. They only $16 in blood money. gathered 200 newspaper clippings and articles on the topic. They Wagner claimed he was innocent right onto the worked religiously for years on the draft of a book that they never gallows. It was Wagner, following his conviction in a got to complete. Maine courtroom, who then blamed Maren for the The Tuttles even traveled to Norway in search of the long- murders. That's where the outrageous rumor started. rumored "deathbed confession" by Maren Hontvet. Maren, as we It was the last ditch effort of a cowardly killer. The all know, was the wife of Norwegian fisherman John Hontvet who year after Wagner was executed, newspapers widely rented the "red house" on Smuttynose Island from the Laighton reported that a woman from Smuttynose Island had family on Appledore. Maren survived the midnight attack and confessed to the murders on her deathbed. heard her sister-in-law cry out "Louis! Louis! Louis!" as Wagner True crime writer Edmund Pearson searched for struck her repeatedly with an ax. the source of the deathbed story while writing his

book Murder at Smutty Nose (1926). "As to Wagner’s contention that the murders had been done by the Hontvets," Pearson wrote, "this remained entirely in the realm of cheap gossip." To even suggest that poor Maren, who survived outdoors until dawn in her nightclothes, might have been guilty of the murders, Pearson wrote, "is only a little less despicable than the pursuit which took place over the rocks of the island on that winter night." Lyman Ruttledge, author of the ever-popular booklet "Moonlight Murder at Smuttynose" (1958), was equally convinced that Wagner was guilty. But he could not entirely disprove the "Maren conspiracy theory" as it has been called. And it was that unproven rumor that inspired Massachusetts writer Anita Shreve to write her bestselling novel Weight of Water (1997) that was faithfully adapted into a Hollywood film of the same name by Academy Award -winning director Kathryn Bigelow a few years later.

Text of this article and image this page © 2014 J. Dennis Robinson Volume 23 Issue 2 ISHRA Newsletter Page 5

The Tuttles did not find Maren's deathbed The hoax has been fueled by the false belief that Maine confession in Norway. That's because there was no legislators ended the death penalty in 1876 because lawmakers deathbed confession. It was a hoax. What all the feared they had hanged an innocent man. In fact, the movement to previous researchers lacked was the deep almost- abolish the death penalty in Maine had been ongoing for decades. unfathomable wellspring of data now available Maine later re-instated the death penalty, executed a few more through the 21st century Internet. A quick Google murderers, and then abolished executions once and for all. Wagner search today shows that the New York Times was not the cause. reported the deathbed confession in a single There are real reasons why people, then and now, claim sentence on May 18, 1876 and retracted the story as Wagner was innocent. He was extremely charming and seduced "without foundation" in a single sentence the many reporters into trusting him, much as he seduced the Hontvets following day. That should have been the end of it into feeding and housing him before the murders. The evidence Maren Hontvet was alive and well in 1876. She against him was circumstantial, and many people mistakenly believe was still living on Water Street in Portsmouth that "circumstantial" proof is less valid than eyewitness testimony. when the shocking article about her appeared in Any good detective will tell you otherwise. More than 40 witnesses the press. The day after reporting on Maren's presented damning evidence that Wagner was not in Portsmouth deathbed confession the Kennebec Journal quickly for 11 hours on the night of the murders as he claimed. Or they saw published this headline: "A False Rumor him walking from New Castle the following morning where his Contradicted -- Wagner Without Doubt the abandoned dory was found. Murderer!" But myth often trumps facts in Some claim that Wagner's attorneys presented a weak defense. American history and the Maren hoax lives on. I disagree. The two high quality attorneys worked tirelessly to Eight months after the false report Maren defend a man whom, reports imply, they knew to be guilty. They Hontvet gave birth to her only daughter, Clara made herculean efforts to keep him off the gallows, and they almost Hontvet. Mother and daughter moved to Norway a succeeded. But Victorian justice, as I point out in my book, cannot few years later and Maren died there in 1887. John be judged by modern courtroom standards. Hontvet sailed on as captain of a number of fishing We all love a good conspiracy theory, and we love to defend the schooners. He eventually remarried and bought a underdog. But we are too often willing to rush to judgment. I have farm on the outskirts of Portsmouth. His daughter come to know Louis Wagner all too well in the last few years. Clara returned to the United States and was Thanks to Bob and Dot Tuttle, I have the facts in hand. I know what married at St. John's chapel. Curiously, the funeral happened that night at the Isles of Shoals, and I know why. So trust service for the two aunts that Clara never met had me, the jury got it right -- and the right man hanged. also been held at St. John's.

Image credits: Page 4 Murder Most Foul, J. Dennis Robinson photo (edit) Page 5 Dark Journey, Composite image file - Richard Stanley Page 6 ISHRA Newsletter Vol. 23 Issue 2 Murder on Smuttynose Island A Review by Bob Cook

When did you first learn about the Smuttynose Murders? Robinson’s book will entertain and inform Was it perhaps in evening twilight while sitting on the porch of readers about the pivotal position the murders on the Oceanic Hotel that someone related the story, or was it Smuttynose occupy in our understanding of reading Lyman V. Rutledge’s version, Moon Light Murder at Shoals History. It includes a useful historical Smuttynose? The tale lingers in our minds and conversation like the summary of the Isles of Shoals, covering the fog of a summer morning. changes that occurred on the islands with the arrival of hotels and tourists vis-a-vie the fishing Mystery on the Isles of Shoals industry along with background information on Closing the Case on the Smuttynose Ax Murders of 1873 the Norwegian immigrants on Smuttynose, the By J. Dennis Robinson nineteenth century Maine court system and the Illustrated, 224pp. resulting cultural phenomena generated in years Skyhorse Publishing after the trial’s end. Robinson presents time frames shifting As told by Mr. Robinson, this is a most absorbing narrative between past and present, offering contrasting firmly based in the traditions of good storytelling, showing the stories of contemporary investigation and inseparable links between events and place. Within this format psychological conjecture as to what the however, it often veers toward a more editorial approach rather individual characters thought. Did Louis than letting the facts speak for themselves. The writer of any Wagner actually think about his plight in the definitive history is presented with a difficult task, for this is a way presented here? How any of the characters challenging genre to work in. History remains to a certain extent actually felt is open to discussion and the incomplete and malleable; it is what is left over after the fact and dichotomy of Wagner the killer vs. the repentant no matter how thoroughly events are examined some details may prisoner presents rich material for conjecture and remain unknown while others are forgotten or distorted due to ever- changing public opinion. It occurs to us to faulty memory. History often remains undiscovered or not ask if this is an accurate representation, and available at all. The historian Daniel J Boorstin, in the while sharing with each other our reading of this introduction to his book Hidden History writes that, “Our past is book, we will interpret it as we believe. While only a little less uncertain than our future, and, like the future, it is we all appreciate the definitive account of any always changing always revealing and concealing. We might subject we also feel compelled to form and better think of Prophecy as history in reverse.” express our own opinions.

ISHRA September Weekend Saturday afternoon, Professor Warren Riess Shipwreck Tales told of his suspenseful search for the Angel Gabriel, a merchant ship that sank off Pemaquid It was smooth sailing from Portsmouth to Star Island for 25 Point in Maine in 1635. Later, he showed conferees, including many first-timers, who attended ISHRA’s photographs of recovering nine cannons from the September conference, “The Undersea History of the Isles of Nottingham Galley wreck. Shoals.” But then, tales of harrowing shipwrecks echoed through After lobster dinner, ISHRA’s group joined Elliott Hall in the Oceanic Hotel. the Writers in the Round conference for a Conference chair Laurence Bussey got things underway candlelit chapel service, followed by an ice cream Friday night with an overview lecture and videos. The next social at the snack bar. morning, Stephen Erickson, co-author of Boon Island: A True On Sunday, Ray Demers and his son John Story of Mutiny, Shipwreck and Cannibalism, told of the 1710 showed photographs and artifacts from their wreck of the Nottingham Galley on Boon Island. discovery of the 1744 Royal Navy ship Asterea in A violent thunderstorm struck the Shoals just after lunch, the Piscataqua River, and ISHRA President and many rushed to the porch with their cameras to witness the Nathan Hamilton told of archeological excitement. Later, all were relieved to hear that Erickson’s boat investigations at the Isles of Shoals. had made it back to Rye safely, despite having been caught in the A great time was had by all! storm. Vol. 23 Issue 2 ISHRA Newsletter Page 7

Membership ISHRA Launches New Website

ISHRA Membership Includes: A subscription to our newsletter, published twice a year. Access to the Members Corner of our web site, ISHRA.org, Five years ago, ISHRA joined the digital age with a which features past newsletters, speaker details, and other Shoals resources. web presence at ISHRA.org. We’ve had over 11,600 page An opportunity to attend our meeting programs on the 2nd views over that time, but thought it was time for a little Tuesday of April and November, conferences on Star Island, upgrade. and day trips. The newly designed website is cleaner and easier to  Fellowship with people who share your interest and use. Members of ISHRA will continue to have access to enthusiasm for the history of the Isles of Shoals. newsletters and other content, but there is no “Members An invitation to work on Isles of Shoals historical research projects as well as our newsletter, web site content, and list Corner” this time. Instead, if you’re a current member, of archived Shoals materials. your login information will unlock that content. Your login information can be found on the back of this To become a member please send your contact information, newsletter below your address. including telephone and email address, along with annual dues Stay up to date on all ISHRA activities from the (payable to ISHRA) to this address: home page- updates will appear as they are posted. You ISHRA, P.O. Box 705, Portsmouth, NH 03802 can also access grant program information and other resources for Isles of Shoals history and research. Yearly dues are: $10– Individual $5– Junior (18 and younger) Check out the website and let us know what you $25– Family, Group, or Institution $100– Lifetime think! Contact ISHRA Webmaster Cassie Stymiest: As of January 1, 2015 dues will increase to: [email protected] Individual: $20 Family, group: $50 Lifetime: $250 The Junior category has been discontinued.

If you would like to make a gift of membership to someone, please include contact information for the recipient and proper dues.

For more information, please contact: Cassie Durette Stymiest, Membership Chair [email protected] 603-667-3306

September Shipwreck Conference Attendees Isles of Shoals Historical & Research Association Volume 23, Issue 2 P.O. Box 705 Portsmouth NH 03802 Fall 2014

Star Island - Photograph by Richard Stanley

Officers and Directors

Nathan Hamilton, President Bob Cook Maryann Stacy, Vice President Caroline French Alice Gordan, Secretary Cindy Martin John Diamond, Treasurer Sue Murphy Gary Bashline Richard Stanley Kate Bashline Cassie Durette Stymiest Amy Cook Joel Plagenz, ex-officio

ISHRA Membership Meeting Tuesday, November 11, 2014 Seacoast Science Center, 570 Ocean Blvd., Rye, NH Refreshments at 6:30pm, Meeting at 7:00pm

Inside this Issue:

Case Closed on the 1873 p. 1 Smuttynose Murders Guest Speaker J. Dennis Robinson Letter from the Board p. 2 2015 Winter Social p. 2 Maryann Stacy

2014 June Conference p. 3 Financial Changes in the Wind p. 3 Maryann Stacy

Case Closed on the 1873 p. 4 Smuttynose Murders J. Dennis Robinson

Murder on Smuttynose Island p. 6 Book Review by Bob Cook

2014 September Weekend p. 6 Joel Plagenz

Membership p. 7

p. 7 Christensen Graves in South Street Cemetery Portsmouth NH ISHRA Launches New Website Cassie Durette Stymiest Photo (edit) Richard Stanley