Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-07-16
BY TELEGRAPH.
fAssocia.ed Press kilograms to the Dahy
Kennebec Journal
THE CRossMAH TRAGEDY.
He mas an Examination ana
Pit Under $4,000 Bonds.
Mrs. CrOssman Recovering.

Wl.c.s-Er. july IL. The examination OF
BENJAMIN Crossman Of Wiscasset, to-day,
before trial Justice Charles B. Knight. on the
charge of assault with an intent to Kill MS
wife. Abby A. Crossman, last Tuesday. The
warrant was issued on complaint Of Sheriif
uodgdon. who arrested Crossman at Booth
bay. Thursday. He Is shook maker, indus
triou. and inoffensive, when sober. He made
no attempt to e. cape and admitted the CON-
mission OF the deed, but denied any mallc-
ious intent. The Justice entered plea OF not
puiItv. Sidney b. Cgshman testified Am
physician Of Wiscasset, saw the woman IN
the forenoon after the assault. He described
her injuries ~ follows: She was beaten,
bruised and swollen had a cut through the
upDer liz seven-eishths of an inch long;
the right eve was swollen and bleeding so
that she could not open it; nose broken;
nnncfured wound on the right side Of the nose,
penetratiu- to the nasal passage; scalp wound
back Of the right ear, three inches long,
and three fnters Of the right hand bitten.
Caleb Ilodglon, Sheriff, of Wiscassett,
te.tified 10 the arrest and the prisoners state
ment lie exhibited the garments worn by
the prisoner, covered with blood: also the
bailiug scoop. with which the wounds wer E
inflicted. No other weapon was found upon
Cros.man. The respondent testified volun-
tarily. Live 10 Booth5ay; started in.
dory with nv wife Friday morning for Au-
gusta, on pension business; was soldier in
the Second Maine Cavalry; went ashore
twice: reached Wiscasset at nine; went to
Silas Dckinsons to hire a team asked if any
place where | could get a drink; Dickinson
said there was no place where they sold it,
but give me drink got the team and drove
to Augusta my wife with me; got drunk in
a saloon in Gardiner; don't know the mans
name; transacted my business in Augusta;
got half a pint of whiskey on Water St {;
drank twice on nv way to Gardiner;
got dinner there in saloon and another
drink and started for Wiscasset at half past
two drank several times On the way; ar
rived at six; drank and got the bottle filed;
took the boat for home at seven; not drunk,
but sober; had no dispute or trouble on the
way with my wife; was conscious and recol-
lect Of pulling from the Westport shore to-
wards the entrance of Cross river. intend
ing to 20 inside of Barriers Island and home;
was seized with numbness, and became I'M
conscious and thought the devil had thrown
my wife overheard; remember of taking
the baiiinS scoop and beating something
thought il was the devil, and when conscious
ness returned found my wife lying in the
bottom of the boat screaming; she asked me
if knew what was doing, and answered
''no'; thought the devil was after her and |
was fighting him; lost the oars went ashore
and carried nv wife under an apple tree,
bathcl her head and went for help; hardly
ever have any trouble with my
wife except when have been drinking, then
we have spats.
He was found guilty and bound over in
s., 900 bonds. Committed. r. +. Smith,
county attorney, conducted the prosecution.
Mrs. Crossman is severely injured, but will
recover "a no bones are broken, except the
nose, and no indications of any internal in
lures As yet.