The Portland daily press., 1878-05-28
BY TELEGRAPH.
MAINE.
SHOOTING At SANFORD.

SHOOTING At SANFORD.
A Man Shoots His scn-in-Law in
Drunken Fracns-The Wound Not seri-
Gus.
ALFRED, May 27.-The people in the vicinity
of Sanford Corner were eYcit ed this morning at
that terrible murder had been committed in
their midst. The stores few thick and fast
and very naturally multiplied as they spread.
The story told was that Benjamin Pierce, who
lived a few miles from Sanford Corner on the
Wells road, had shot his son-in-law, Samuel
Houston, and that the latter could not live but
a short time. 1t seems that Houston and his
wife went over to spend Sunday with Mr..
Pierce, who lives alone. They spent the day
together, and about 6 p. m. Mr.. Houston start
ed to go to his home few miles away. After
leaving the house and getting some way I'D the
road Pierce called Houston back. They were
both drunk and had some foolish words when
Pierce asked Houston if he wanted to die just
to see how it would seem. Houston answered
that he was not in hurry.
"Well,' says Pierce, give got my blood up
aud am going to shoot three or four, and 1
might as well commence on you." As he said
this he drew pistol from his coat pocket and
fred. The shot struck Houston in the breast
bore aud glanced off causing a conclusion
which rendered him insensible for some time.
His wife hearing the noise of the pistol return
ed to the spot and succeeded in getting her
husband into the wagon and taking him home.
DR.. Hammond OF Sanford was called to exam
inc the man, but for some time was unable to
determine the extent of his iDiurng as he was
unconscious, and it was feared the shot had
gone through the brain and that he had receiv-
ed internal injuries. DR.. Day of Alfred was
called and the extent of the injuries ascertain.
ed.
Constable William A. Allen drove over to
Springvale at a. NJ. and notified Howard
Frost, Esq, who issued warrant for Pierce's
arrest. The officers returned to Sanford and
found the man alone in his house, where he
had gone after the shooting. He was taken
before Trial Justice John G. Adams this
morning.
The hearing was attended by a large crowd
Increase Kimball, Esq, appeared for the pris
oner, and the Constable relied on the evidence
of Mrs. Houston, the wife of the man shot and
daughter of the respondent, his little daughter
and the two physicians, to hold the man. The
charge was an assault with intent to kill. Pierce
pleaded not guilty, but the Justice found proba-
BILE cause and bound him over to the September
term of the Sapreme Court in the sum of $500.
The off GERS took him to the Alfred jail at
once.
A PRESS representative visited the Jail this
evening, and through the courtesy of Tailor
| Maddox, was allowed an interview with the
| Rafn
facts were learned in regard to the family
which may be Of interest. Pierce is an old
man go years of age. He has three daughters
| grown up and married, and his wife has lived
with one of them at Springvale for about
| year and half, leaving him alone. He lived
| 10 little tumbe-down house and has peddled
| fish for good many years. His habits are not
altogether correct, and at times he is drunk for
weeks. neighbor says that when under the
| influence Of liquor he is very cross and trouble
some. His son-in-law, the victim of his pistol
shot, is said to bs rather a shftless fellow and
addicted to drunkenness.
When Pierce was asked to give an account OF
the affair be pretended that he knew nothing
about it as he was drunk at the time. At about
noon he says that Houston and himself began
drinking freely and that by 8 o'clock they were
both drunk. What took place after this he pre-
| tends not to remember, and even denies that
| he knew for what he was arrested before he
was told. He says that he never had any
trouble with his family. He bought the pisto
he says to protect himself against boys who an
| noyed him frequently.
| The affair seems to havs been simply a
drunken quarrel.
Dr. Day pronounces the wound slight and
| says the man will be about in day or two.