The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-11-16
Attempt mt Murder.

ATTEMPT UPON TIE LIFE OF T.. II. WIGGIS,
Eso.-Last Friday forenoon, while Mr.. Wiggn
was absent, and his office In charge of |. ID.
Noyes, Esq, n stranger called and inquired for
Mr.. W. On being informed by Mr.. N. that Mr..
Wiggin would soon come In, the stranger took
sea to await his return. In about an hour
and half afterwards Mr.. w. came in. The
stranger remained sitting, and did not speak to
Mr.. W. rs he came in, and the latter sat down
ut his table and took up newspaper to read.
his back being toward the stranger. They sat
thus about ten minutes. when Mr.. Noyes, who
sat facing the two. saw the stranger rise and
step towards Mr.. Wiggin, aud ut the same time
eleyating a pistol and cooking II, then so near
rs almost to touch the back Of MIR. WIS head.
Mr.. N. instantly cried out to alarm MIR. W.,
who turned quickly round, bringing his face
closc'to the muzric Of the pistol. Mr.. W. and
Mr.. n. instantly started to their feet and con-
him Just rs he was about TO discharge the pis-
toll, and he let his arm fall, and he has since
stated that he thought II too uncertain to shoot
amer Mr.. w. got up. Mr.. Noyes opened the
office door Immediately and he and Mr.. W. went
out, closing the door after them. The petition
OF the parties relative to the table and chairs
was such that escape by the door was nearer
than to close with the attempted mnrderer.-
The stranger followed them out, and when up
on the sidewalk was surrounded by persons who
had heard the alarm. Mr.. wiggiD approached
him, when he again took the pistol from his
pocket, ready cooked, and would have fired IL
he had come near enough-expressing deter
mination to shoot him II he could get chance
lie was secured, and the pistol taken from him.
IL was n Colts five shooter, and every barrel
charged with ball, and capped.
IL was then ascertained that the man who
made this attempt at murder was Vim. Frank
GRAHAM, native OF Scarborough, formerly an
oyerseer in the York Mills in this town, and
recently employed ut Lawrence. lie is well
appearing man, about thirty years of age, ana
has wife and child aud mother living in Bid
defOrd. lie has not lived with his wife for the
past two years.
Mr.. Wiggin Is entirely unacquainted with
him. and does not know that he has had any
thing TO do with him or his affairs either direct
In or Indirectly. Grafiam states that his reason
for this attempt is, that through Mr.. Virgins
influence or advice to certain parties several
years ago, he lost, or failed to make, about two
or three hundred dollars, in case where he ox-
pected to obtain that sum. lie still declares
that he will kill Mr.. Wiggin the first chance he
gets.
Graffhm was lodged in the town Jail, and on
Saturday forenoon was taken before Justice
Loring, at the Town Hall. lie plead guilty to
the charge of attempting TO kill Mr.. Wiggin,
and was ordered to find bail in $4,000 for his
appearance Mt the next term Of the Supreme
Court to be held in this town in January next.
He could get no bail, and was committed to the
Jail in Alfred.
lie appears perfectly sane, and seems to have
deliberately meditated the murder Of Mr.. Wig
gin II is plain that such man should not be
suffered to 20 at large, and that there is no
safety for Mr.. wiggin except in his imprison-
ment or death, 50 long as he INDUCES this muir
derous purpose. The affair has caused great
excitement in our community.-SdcoD Dem.