The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-07-17
MurderOus Assault.
A PORTLAND MERCHANT SHOT
A MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR.

Yesterday morning. about half-past seven,
Mr., Charles H. Merrill, a prominent lumber
dealer on Commercial street, was going to his
place of business by way of Maple street, when
John Carlin, formerly a painter and glazier in
this city, who was lying in wait near the steam
mill of Messrs. Littlefield and Wilson, stepped
within eight feet of him, drew a revolver and
fired two shots at him, the first taking effect in
the rear of the head, and passing around the
base OF the brain, glancing from the skull and
passing out on the opposite side. After the first
shot, Mr.. Merrill, who had not perceived Car
lin, turned sharply round and asked him why
he was firing at him? The reply was made
that Merrill was scoundTel and had attempt
ed to drug Carlin. A second shot was then fir
ed. which fortunately did not take effect. Mr..
Merrill then started to run, and Carlin left in
an opposite direction. Quite soon the excess
i've loss of blood from the small arteries near
the base of the brain, caused him to feel faint
and he was taken in charge by people near by,
and carried to his residence on the corner of
Henry and Deering streets, where DR.. Weeks
attended him. The wound was severe one,
and blood flowed freely from it, but no serious
danger is apprehended, unless Inflammation
sets in. The patient is kept very quiet and no
visitors are admitted to see him, less the excite
ment consequent thereon, should cause brain
fever
Carl;n was Immediately surrounded by
crowd of excited men, who attempted to arrest
him. He made strenuous resistance, but was
at last taken in charge by ex-policeman Han
son. and carried to the police station, whence
J.. ,AsG
.r CARLIN AND ELS STATEMENT.
Carin is Scot by birth, and was born in
Glasgow in 1888. He came to America while
still young. He is a man of stout build, heavy
stolid face, bloated by drinking, and dark eyes,
with reckless look in them. He has been en-
ployed as painter and glazier by many people
in Portland. On the 10th of December last, he
left this city for Boston, giving as his reason,
that the lead in paint effected his health, and
that he was in mortal fear of Mr.. Merrill,
While here he lived on Chatham street, and at
the time he left was in the employ of Mr.. j. X.
Merrill. In Boston he was employed on Ire
mont street. A few weeks since he left Boston
and made trip to Chicago. Early yesterday
morning he arrived in this city on the Boston
boat, and engaged room at the New England
House, where he left his baggage. He then
sailed forth for stroll on the Streets and soon
after met Mr.. Merrill, when the shooting af-
fair took place.
Carln tells rambling disconnected story of
injuries inflicted upon him by the man he shot.
He asserts that Merrill frequently attempted to
drug him, and that at one time he gave him an
apple impregnated with poison. He also says
A.. =.
through the columns of the Argus, and calling
him s'Doctor'-a heinous offence in his eyes.
1t is scarcely necessary to say that these state
ments are but the Pigments of disordered
brain. 1t is said that he threatened to shoot
Mr.. Merrill before leaving town last winter, and
that Merrill was aware of the threat, but una
ware of having given cause for it. Carln has
ever been considered quiet, inoffensive man,
not prone to quarrel, and possessing the most
excellent and quite rare faculty of minding his
own business He has had frequent quarrels
with his wife, who is now in Boston, and of
whom he is very jealous. 1t is proper to say
thrt not shadow of suspicion rests upon her as
the cause of the shooting. Since he left
here he has been in the liquor business in Bos-
ton. and some four weeks ago he drew on Mr..
j. K Merrill for $500, since which time he has
been ON a prolonged spree. Yesterday morning
he was but slightly under the influence of Ii
quor. He is apparently of sound mind on all
subjects except that of poisoning, but he adheres
with great pertinacity to tn idea thathe has
been drugged by Mr.. Merrill. Mr.. Merrills
clerk informs us that some time since he car
ried basket of apples to Carlin, which he
threw away, declaring the apples poisoned.
MR.. MERRILL's STATEMENT
Mr.. Merrill says that as he was walking down
Maple street, he felt pain in the back of his
head, and heard the report of a revolver. He
turned round and saw Carlin,lwho fired again.
He then turned and ran. He has for long
time been aware of Carlin IS feeling toward him
but is totally unable to account for it. Some
| two years ago he spoke to Carlin, who told him
not to say anything to him. That he (Merrilll
was his enemy. Since that time he has had no
| intercourse with him.