Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-07-10
THE SHOOTING!
Miss Linn Not Able to Appear in
Court Yesterday.-Stevens Tells
His Story to a Journal
Reporter.

noPOSteT.
Although the excitement over the shooting
affray on the 'snew road abated somewhat
when it was known that the Messrs. J.. L.
and ]. NJ. Libby had captured the guilty par
ty. vet the sober second thought of the COM
munity was shocked at the enormity of the
offence and the depravity which instigated
mere boy to commit so fearful crime Had
the revolver been trihe heavier the bullet
must have penetrated to the brain. And now
that the matter has been thoroughly canvassed
and it seems likely that Stevens contemplate
ed worse offence than murder even, there
is a general curiosity to learn both versions
of the affair, and to study the character Of a
mere boy who, apparently without remorse
or without making any efforts to escape,
could commit so fragrant an outrage.
A CHARACTER STUDY.
Young Stevens is but II years old. and
last February was dismissed from the State
Reform School on probation, being obliged to
report to Major Rowell of Hallowell every
month Up to the present time the report
has been very favorable. and it was hoped
that the boy had really ''turned over a new
leaf" His father, Charles NJ. Stevens, is a
section hand in the cotton mill at Hallowell,
and lives on the s'Old South Lane so called.
Young Stevens, since his dismissal from Re-
form School. has worked at bottoming chairs
-. t., I, t1ar
complishments, he is one of the most bril-
liant and versatile story tellers of his age in
America. He does not appear naturally
vicious; but is a rather curious anomaly in
some respects. Although intelligent and
rather bright appearing, his moral sensibili-
ties are not very acute.
Stevens asserts that when he ran away he
flung his revolver into pool of water: that
it was a self-cocking piece; and that he could
point out the locality where it was thrown.
As soon as it light, yesterday morning,
Joseph L. and Jackson NJ. Libby. to whose
vigilance is due the arrest of the youthful of
fender, and Officers Tyler and Breen,
visited the spot and made long and
BEFORE THE CoURT.
Judge True being out of town, f. w.
Whitehouse, ESQ.,, appeared iq the office of
the Jail as trial justice and Stevens
raigned before him. The room was full of
spectators. The cell door was opened, and
the boy stepped before the bar. The prison
er appeared downcast, and there was
troubled expression upon his face. His hair
was uncombed, and he leaned slouchily for
ward as he stood before the justice. Ii was
not deemed prudent for Miss Linn to appear
Mt the examination. Mr.. Whitehouse then
read the warrant which charged that ''Charles
f. Stevens laborer. did on the Sth day of
July make an assault upon one Miss LYDIA
Linn with revolving pistol, loaded, with an
intention of killing. numbering, or manning
the said complainant" On this charge the
boy plead ''not guilty" in an audible tone,
without the least tremor in it. His case was
continued until 10 o'clock this morning, when
he will probably be bound over to the Sep
TENDER term of court
The You've LApY's CONDITION.
Miss Inns nervous system was wrought
up to such high pitch by the excitement
that she bore the surgical operation wonder
fully WE'LL but when the tension relaxed,
relapse of course followed. She was unable
TO sleep Thursday night. When she closed her
eyes visions of loaded revolvers would fit
through her brain. Yesterday she suffered
somewhat from nervous exhaustion Her
face is quite badly burned with powder, grams
of which are blown into the flesh. The
wound is badly discolored, of pnrplish hue,
and the hole made is about as big as pea
She left Mrs. Chambers on the afternoon OF
the shooting at 5.l5 o'clock, went to MI
Vivian's and got his team, and the SAD aha'r
occurred about $50. as we stated yesterday
Stevens was well dressed, and civilly asked
her to give him ride. She did so Thought
lessly, just as any one else might do IN her
place. His motive can easily be guessed
Az INTERVIEW WITH STEVENS.
A journal reporter visited the young tei'
low at his apartments in the Hotel de LIBBY
yesterday morning The scribe stepped IN
side the cell, and the bolt was turned. On
the wall were hung pictures, cut from some
of the flash papers, which some former oc-
cupant of the place had pasted upon the walls
The boy was quite communicative aioe"
somewhat bashful at first. Upon the report
er suggesting that there are always two SIDES
to case, Stevens gave his version OF the at
fair, which we reproduce substantially In MS
own words.
81 left Hallowell just after dinner, for Au-
pusta. to get some money of woman on
Sand Hill who owed me for some WORK ''i''
had done for her. Rode part way up VII"
man named Miller. Stayed around Au-
gusta for while, and then thought would
20 back to Hallowell. Expected to meet N!
f.ther,s half brother on the road. wanted