“Lines Composed on the Death of Joseph J. Sager,” ca. 1835
Maine Historical Society
Suspect: Joseph Sager
Accusation: Murder
Location: Augusta, Maine
Date: 1835
Victim: Phebe Sager
The morning of Phebe Sager’s (1786-1834) death, husband Joseph Sager (1798-1835) offered to make her an egg pop, a breakfast drink made from egg, sugar, and wine. She initially declined, but he convinced her otherwise and mixed the drink in the next room. He urged her “not to leave the best part” (the sugar at the bottom) and prepared another egg pop to absorb the leftovers.
When the Sager’s maid, Ann Rafter, served breakfast tea and milk, Joseph left his untouched—which was unusual. When Rafter emptied the cream pitcher, she noticed a white powder. She brought it to Phebe’s attention, and they placed the pitcher where it would not be disturbed. Rafter also poured the teacup contents into the pitcher.
Gallows trap door used for Sager execution, Augusta, ca. 1835
On loan from the Kennebec Historical Society. Maine Historical Society
Almost immediately, Phebe Sager felt unwell. The family called for a doctor, but after bouts of vomiting and intense pain, she died. Several present neighbors and family members said Phebe identified her husband as the “whole cause of this.” Witnesses claimed Joseph Sager verbally abused his wife, spoke about soon being a widower, and was having an affair with a “Mrs. Thornly,” whom he promised to marry if Phebe died.
Phebe Sager’s autopsy found extreme inflammation and a white powder in her stomach—thought to be arsenic. While the stomach contents were inconclusive, test results from the pitcher revealed enough arsenic present to kill forty people.
Convicted of his wife’s murder, Joseph Sager was hanged at Augusta on January 2, 1835.