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

Volume 23 Issue 2 Fall 2014

© 2014 ISHRA

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

community newspaper. Immediately evincing his sharp-edged attitude

and willingness to “speak truth to authority” he found himself called on

the carpet in the principal’s office for a petulant and very negative

review that he wrote of the historical novel Johnny Tremain. Those of us

familiar with this icon of adolescent American historical fiction realize

that such action was nearly as objectionable as would be doing a take-

down of George Washington, and for this Dennis was threatened with

dire censorship unto death. However, quickly devising an end run

around this obstacle he went on to write whatever he pleased.

Dennis says that, “As a scrawny sickly kid in public school, any

power source would do,” and he quickly recognized the power of the

pen, buying off would-be-bullies by ghosting their overdue essay

assignments. He also wrote poems for the school literary magazine,

songs to attract difficult-to-date girls, covered basketball games for the

statewide daily and edited the school newspaper.

Casual in his attitude regarding attendance he

nonetheless received straight A’s in English classes,

his frequent absences were overlooked and he was

nominated to the prestigious international high

school journalism honor society, Quill and Scroll.

Dennis says that back then everyone “knew” that

he was going to be a big shot author – fame, money,

movie contracts. “But,” he says,“ I’m not rich and

famous.” However, thanks to his inventiveness,

talent for diversification and appetite for hard

work the days of working two jobs just to make

ends meet are in the distant past. He has been a

freelance writer since 1973 with over one-thousand

articles and essays in New England publications

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.

Dennis currently resides in Portsmouth, NH.

J. Dennis Robinson, author & historian

Case Closed on the

1873 Smuttynose Murders

Will be the Subject of our Program

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

by J. Dennis Robinson

Nottingham Galley Wreck on Boon Island - 19th Century Lithograph

September Shipwrecks Conference - Page 6

The ISHRA Newsletter is Produced

and Edited by Richard Stanley

rsg@frets.me

Cassie Stymiest

ISHRA Webmaster

cbd_232@yahoo.com

Vol. 23 Issue 2 ISHRA Newsletter Page 2

ISHRA Media Contacts

This fast-moving season has seen lots of changes in

the Isles of Shoals Historical and Research Association.

We welcomed new Board members: Sue Murphy and

Cindy Martin, and it is with heavy hearts and gratitude

that we say goodbye to Board Member and Treasurer

John Diamond who has served ISHRA in countless ways

we can only begin to thank him for. John will be stepping

down after several years of service and his presence on the

Board will be greatly missed.

In late fall Alexandra de Steiguer arrived to keep

winter watch over the buildings and grounds on Star

Island. At this past Spring Meeting she treated us to an

awe inspiring look into her winter world at the Isles of

Shoals. Alexandra shared many of her photographs from

her new book Small Island, Big Picture - Winters of Solitude

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

Star Island via the Isles of Shoals Steamship Company’s

Day Visit and Walking Tour Cruises. ISHRA’s own Star

Island History Docents continue to lead the very popular

one hour walking history tours. Jim Rock took over the

Docent Program this past summer and was able to

expand it to cover every trip without fail.

Congratulations to Jim and his dedicated History

Docents.

The June Conference, “Changes in the Sea: Marine

Science Discoveries” was a great success. Conferees

enjoyed educational lectures, artistic activities, a whale

and bird watch trip, boating and island exploration, as

well as the company of cherished friends and time spent

contemplating Gosport Harbor from the comfort of a

favorite rocker on the porch of the Oceanic Hotel.

ISHRA member Jean Stefanik applied for, and was

approved for a grant to purchase four kayaks, paddles,

and life jackets. Thanks to her efforts the boats were

donated this past June to the Star Island Corporation and

were in almost constant use during the summer.

This year also saw the 400th Anniversary of the

Captain John Smith Map of New England. Historic

reenactments and educational exhibits organized on Star

Island celebrated this notable moment in time and the

Isles of Shoals place in it.

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

schools, the Smuttynose Stewards are cleaning up and

winterizing, and on Star Island the PELs are preparing to

leave the island to the birds, and the wind, and the ghosts

of summers past.

As winter arrives we will all be busy with seasonal

activities, however on some cold snowy afternoon as you

thumb through a photo album or a book about the Shoals,

or perhaps your eye falls upon the pressed seaweed or

piece of sea glass or pipe stem you left on a windowsill,

you will be transported back to a golden summer day at

the Isles of Shoals and you will begin to daydream and

plan your 2015 summer visit. Share those daydreams and

make those plans with your fellow Shoalers at the

November 11th Membership Meeting or at the January 25th

Winter Social.

Letter from the ISHRA Board

As summer’s golden haze fades to autumn crispness

and winter’s crystal white don’t let your Shoaler friends

and family drift too far away. Come together again at

ISHRA’s 4th Annual Winter Social. If the past three years

are any indication it will be another unique and fun filled

ISHRA event.

Mark your calendar – January 25, 2015 from 1:00 to

3:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Kittery

Point.

Bring your favorite side dish, appetizer, beverage, or

dessert for the pot luck luncheon, the seafood chowder is

on us. Most important, don’t forget your photo albums,

Shoals memorabilia, and memories to share.

This year ISHRA will also include a surprise

fundraiser to benefit ISHRA Conferences, Speakers, and

Social Events.

4th ANNUAL ISHRA WINTER SOCIAL Sunday January 25, 2015

from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.

First Congregational Church

of Kittery Point

Vol. 23 Issue 2 ISHRA Newsletter Page 3

The 2014 ISHRA June Conference was a resounding success as

friends old and new gathered on Star Island to explore the “Changes

in the Sea and Marine Science Discoveries” on and around the Isles

of Shoals. Speakers from the Shoals Marine Lab, the University of

Maine, and our own ISHRA President Dr. Nathan Hamilton

entertained and educated twenty-five happy conferees as we

traveled through fourteen thousand years of natural and cultural

history at the Isles of Shoals. Walking tours brought to life the

geology, marine wildlife and flora and fauna of the islands. Amy

Cook pointed out often unnoticed photo opportunities, focusing our

attention on many things which surprised even the most veteran

Shoaler.

Creativity flourished under the talented guidance of Amy Cook

and Gretchen Gudefin as we learned about, collected, and pressed

seaweed and worked polymer clay into replicas of ancient ivory and

bone, producing wonderful souvenirs of our time together on Star

Island.

Quiet time was devoted to socializing in gatherings at several

different locations across the island, and rocking on the Oceanic

porch. The highlight of the week may just have been the excitement

of the Whale and Bird Watch aboard the Granite State, or the

Captain John Smith Anniversary events enacted to celebrate the

400th Anniversary of the Creation of his 1614 Map of New England.

A delightfully touching Chapel Service and Blessing of the

Boats reminded us all just how precious these islands are to each

and every one of us and how close are the ties to the ocean that bind

us together. Many conferees took advantage of the new kayaks and

explored Smuttynose, Malaga, and Cedar Island from a watery

vantage they had never seen before.

A private concert by the Star Island Music Director Sara Lewis

put the finishing touch on our island time, and sent us off with the

sweet words whispered in our minds “you will come back, you will

come back…” See you all next June.

2014 ISHRA June Conference Changes in the Sea and Marine Science Discoveries

Financial Changes in the Wind ISHRA’s mission has been and remains a

commitment to locate, collect, organize, preserve,

expand and make available information and

knowledge relating to the natural and human

history of the Isles of Shoals.

Since its inception ISHRA has been able to

serve this mandate with uncompromising pride,

and enthusiasm. However, as economic times

change we are faced with the reality that we

must keep in step with them. It has become

apparent to the members of ISHRA’s Board of

Directors that if we are to continue to provide

the same level of service and opportunities to our

members, and all students of Isles of Shoals

History, we must increase and diversify our

financial base.

We have therefore determined that this will

best be accomplished with a small increase in

membership dues as well as a more focused effort

in other forms of creative fundraising.

Beginning in 2015 ISHRA Single

Membership Dues will increase to $20 per year,

Family Memberships will increase to $50 per

year, and Lifetime Memberships may be

purchased for a onetime payment of $250.

In order to continue offering the high

quality summer conferences, membership

meetings, speakers, bi-annual newsletters, social

events, and grants that our members deserve,

ISHRA will also hold a variety of fundraisers and

look to our dedicated members for additional

donations.

This has been a difficult decision and the

Board members thank you for your

understanding and support.

ISHRA June Conference Attendees

Page 4 ISHRA Newsletter Volume 23 Issue 2

Shoals historian Bob Tuttle and I could never agree about the

Wagner ax murder case. We argued about the infamous murder

trial when we were on Appledore. We argued about it on the

Oceanic Hotel on Star. We argued about it aboard the M/V Uncle

Oscar en route to shooting a sequence for the Boston version of the

TV show "Chronicle" on Smuttynose Island in the late 1990s. And

we argued about it on the way home while drinking Smuttynose

Ale with TV host Mary Richardson.

Bob and Dorothy "Dot" Tuttle did an enormous amount of

research in their effort to prove that Louis Wagner was innocent

of killing Anethe and Karen Christensen on March 6, 1873. They

gathered 200 newspaper clippings and articles on the topic. They

worked religiously for years on the draft of a book that they never

got to complete.

The Tuttles even traveled to Norway in search of the long-

rumored "deathbed confession" by Maren Hontvet. Maren, as we

all know, was the wife of Norwegian fisherman John Hontvet who

rented the "red house" on Smuttynose Island from the Laighton

family on Appledore. Maren survived the midnight attack and

heard her sister-in-law cry out "Louis! Louis! Louis!" as Wagner

struck her repeatedly with an ax.

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

Mystery on the Isles of Shoals By J. Dennis Robinson

Wagner had been a tenant of the Hontvets the

previous year on Smuttynose and had returned that

night to rob them of $600 he believed they kept in the

house. John Hontvet, his brother Matthew, and his

brother-in-law Ivan were stranded in Portsmouth all

that night and discovered the murdered women and

Maren the following morning. They quickly deduced

that Wagner had stolen a dory, rowed to the island,

killed the women, and returned to Portsmouth with

only $16 in blood money.

Wagner claimed he was innocent right onto the

gallows. It was Wagner, following his conviction in a

Maine courtroom, who then blamed Maren for the

murders. That's where the outrageous rumor started.

It was the last ditch effort of a cowardly killer. The

year after Wagner was executed, newspapers widely

reported that a woman from Smuttynose Island had

confessed to the murders on her deathbed.

True crime writer Edmund Pearson searched for

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 Page 5 ISHRA Newsletter

The Tuttles did not find Maren's deathbed

confession in Norway. That's because there was no

deathbed confession. It was a hoax. What all the

previous researchers lacked was the deep almost-

unfathomable wellspring of data now available

through the 21st century Internet. A quick Google

search today shows that the New York Times

reported the deathbed confession in a single

sentence on May 18, 1876 and retracted the story as

"without foundation" in a single sentence the

following day. That should have been the end of it

Maren Hontvet was alive and well in 1876. She

was still living on Water Street in Portsmouth

when the shocking article about her appeared in

the press. The day after reporting on Maren's

deathbed confession the Kennebec Journal quickly

published this headline: "A False Rumor

Contradicted -- Wagner Without Doubt the

Murderer!" But myth often trumps facts in

American history and the Maren hoax lives on.

Eight months after the false report Maren

Hontvet gave birth to her only daughter, Clara

Hontvet. Mother and daughter moved to Norway a

few years later and Maren died there in 1887. John

Hontvet sailed on as captain of a number of fishing

schooners. He eventually remarried and bought a

farm on the outskirts of Portsmouth. His daughter

Clara returned to the United States and was

married at St. John's chapel. Curiously, the funeral

service for the two aunts that Clara never met had

also been held at St. John's.

The hoax has been fueled by the false belief that Maine

legislators ended the death penalty in 1876 because lawmakers

feared they had hanged an innocent man. In fact, the movement to

abolish the death penalty in Maine had been ongoing for decades.

Maine later re-instated the death penalty, executed a few more

murderers, and then abolished executions once and for all. Wagner

was not the cause.

There are real reasons why people, then and now, claim

Wagner was innocent. He was extremely charming and seduced

many reporters into trusting him, much as he seduced the Hontvets

into feeding and housing him before the murders. The evidence

against him was circumstantial, and many people mistakenly believe

that "circumstantial" proof is less valid than eyewitness testimony.

Any good detective will tell you otherwise. More than 40 witnesses

presented damning evidence that Wagner was not in Portsmouth

for 11 hours on the night of the murders as he claimed. Or they saw

him walking from New Castle the following morning where his

abandoned dory was found.

Some claim that Wagner's attorneys presented a weak defense.

I disagree. The two high quality attorneys worked tirelessly to

defend a man whom, reports imply, they knew to be guilty. They

made herculean efforts to keep him off the gallows, and they almost

succeeded. But Victorian justice, as I point out in my book, cannot

be judged by modern courtroom standards.

We all love a good conspiracy theory, and we love to defend the

underdog. But we are too often willing to rush to judgment. I have

come to know Louis Wagner all too well in the last few years.

Thanks to Bob and Dot Tuttle, I have the facts in hand. I know what

happened that night at the Isles of Shoals, and I know why. So trust

me, the jury got it right -- and the right man hanged.

Image credits:

Page 4 Murder Most Foul, J. Dennis Robinson photo (edit)

Page 5 Dark Journey, Composite image file - Richard Stanley

Vol. 23 Issue 2 ISHRA Newsletter Page 6

When did you first learn about the Smuttynose Murders?

Was it perhaps in evening twilight while sitting on the porch of

the Oceanic Hotel that someone related the story, or was it

reading Lyman V. Rutledge’s version, Moon Light Murder at

Smuttynose? The tale lingers in our minds and conversation like the

fog of a summer morning.

Robinson’s book will entertain and inform

readers about the pivotal position the murders on

Smuttynose occupy in our understanding of

Shoals History. It includes a useful historical

summary of the Isles of Shoals, covering the

changes that occurred on the islands with the

arrival of hotels and tourists vis-a-vie the fishing

industry along with background information on

the Norwegian immigrants on Smuttynose, the

nineteenth century Maine court system and the

resulting cultural phenomena generated in years

after the trial’s end.

Robinson presents time frames shifting

between past and present, offering contrasting

stories of contemporary investigation and

psychological conjecture as to what the

individual characters thought. Did Louis

Wagner actually think about his plight in the

way presented here? How any of the characters

actually felt is open to discussion and the

dichotomy of Wagner the killer vs. the repentant

prisoner presents rich material for conjecture and

ever- changing public opinion. It occurs to us to

ask if this is an accurate representation, and

while sharing with each other our reading of this

book, we will interpret it as we believe. While

we all appreciate the definitive account of any

subject we also feel compelled to form and

express our own opinions.

Murder on Smuttynose Island A Review by Bob Cook

Mystery on the Isles of Shoals Closing the Case on the Smuttynose Ax Murders of 1873

By J. Dennis Robinson

Illustrated, 224pp.

Skyhorse Publishing

As told by Mr. Robinson, this is a most absorbing narrative

firmly based in the traditions of good storytelling, showing the

inseparable links between events and place. Within this format

however, it often veers toward a more editorial approach rather

than letting the facts speak for themselves. The writer of any

definitive history is presented with a difficult task, for this is a

challenging genre to work in. History remains to a certain extent

incomplete and malleable; it is what is left over after the fact and

no matter how thoroughly events are examined some details may

remain unknown while others are forgotten or distorted due to

faulty memory. History often remains undiscovered or not

available at all. The historian Daniel J Boorstin, in the

introduction to his book Hidden History writes that, “Our past is

only a little less uncertain than our future, and, like the future, it is

always changing always revealing and concealing. We might

better think of Prophecy as history in reverse.”

It was smooth sailing from Portsmouth to Star Island for 25

conferees, including many first-timers, who attended ISHRA’s

September conference, “The Undersea History of the Isles of

Shoals.” But then, tales of harrowing shipwrecks echoed through

Elliott Hall in the Oceanic Hotel.

Conference chair Laurence Bussey got things underway

Friday night with an overview lecture and videos. The next

morning, Stephen Erickson, co-author of Boon Island: A True

Story of Mutiny, Shipwreck and Cannibalism, told of the 1710

wreck of the Nottingham Galley on Boon Island.

A violent thunderstorm struck the Shoals just after lunch,

and many rushed to the porch with their cameras to witness the

excitement. Later, all were relieved to hear that Erickson’s boat

had made it back to Rye safely, despite having been caught in the

storm.

Saturday afternoon, Professor Warren Riess

told of his suspenseful search for the Angel

Gabriel, a merchant ship that sank off Pemaquid

Point in Maine in 1635. Later, he showed

photographs of recovering nine cannons from the

Nottingham Galley wreck.

After lobster dinner, ISHRA’s group joined

the Writers in the Round conference for a

candlelit chapel service, followed by an ice cream

social at the snack bar.

On Sunday, Ray Demers and his son John

showed photographs and artifacts from their

discovery of the 1744 Royal Navy ship Asterea in

the Piscataqua River, and ISHRA President

Nathan Hamilton told of archeological

investigations at the Isles of Shoals.

A great time was had by all!

ISHRA September Weekend Shipwreck Tales

Vol. 23 Issue 2 ISHRA Newsletter Page 7

Membership

ISHRA Membership Includes: A subscription to our newsletter, published twice a year. Access to the Members Corner of our web site, ISHRA.org, which features past newsletters, speaker details, and other Shoals resources. An opportunity to attend our meeting programs on the 2nd Tuesday of April and November, conferences on Star Island, and day trips. Fellowship with people who share your interest and enthusiasm for the history of the Isles of Shoals. An invitation to work on Isles of Shoals historical research projects as well as our newsletter, web site content, and list of archived Shoals materials.

To become a member please send your contact information,

including telephone and email address, along with annual dues

(payable to ISHRA) to this address:

ISHRA, P.O. Box 705, Portsmouth, NH 03802

Yearly dues are: $10– Individual $5– Junior (18 and younger)

$25– Family, Group, or Institution $100– Lifetime

As of January 1, 2015 dues will increase to: 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

membership@ishra.org 603-667-3306

ISHRA Launches New Website

Five years ago, ISHRA joined the digital age with a

web presence at ISHRA.org. We’ve had over 11,600 page

views over that time, but thought it was time for a little

upgrade.

The newly designed website is cleaner and easier to

use. Members of ISHRA will continue to have access to

newsletters and other content, but there is no “Members

Corner” this time. Instead, if you’re a current member,

your login information will unlock that content. Your

login information can be found on the back of this

newsletter below your address.

Stay up to date on all ISHRA activities from the

home page- updates will appear as they are posted. You

can also access grant program information and other

resources for Isles of Shoals history and research.

Check out the website and let us know what you

think!

Contact ISHRA Webmaster Cassie Stymiest:

webmaster@ishra.org

September Shipwreck Conference Attendees

Volume 23, Issue 2

Fall 2014

Nathan Hamilton, President

Maryann Stacy, Vice President

Alice Gordan, Secretary

John Diamond, Treasurer

Gary Bashline

Kate Bashline

Amy Cook

Isles of Shoals Historical & Research Association

P.O. Box 705 Portsmouth NH 03802

Bob Cook

Caroline French

Cindy Martin

Sue Murphy

Richard Stanley

Cassie Durette Stymiest

Joel Plagenz, ex-officio

Officers and Directors

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

Smuttynose Murders Guest Speaker J. Dennis Robinson

Letter from the Board

2015 Winter Social Maryann Stacy

2014 June Conference

Financial Changes in the Wind Maryann Stacy

Case Closed on the 1873

Smuttynose Murders J. Dennis Robinson

Murder on Smuttynose Island Book Review by Bob Cook

2014 September Weekend Joel Plagenz

Membership

ISHRA Launches New Website Cassie Durette Stymiest

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Star Island - Photograph by Richard Stanley

Christensen Graves in South Street Cemetery Portsmouth NH

Photo (edit) Richard Stanley

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