Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-11-20
ALMOST AHURpER.
George Wilton Shoots James s. Baker
Through the Head.
The Grsen-Eyed Monster Again tn III.
Fr0nt.

Will there ever be an end of murders and
attempted murders ? Now. closely following
the hittery murder, comes q case Of ATTEMPTED
homici6e almost at our very doors. Satur-
DAY night at the Soldiers Home. Toun,
george Wilton shot at and perhaps fatally
wounded James s. Baker in the head.
Both OF the men are inmates of the Home.
Saturday evening at 6.45 o'clock Baker was
sitting in chair in one of the wards. quietly
engaged in playing game of checkers with
fellow soldier, when Wilton entered and
look seat in another chair, but a
Few feet from the parties first men
toned. Hardly was he seated, when he
whipped out pistol. levelled it at Bakers
head and fired. Upon this Wilton threw the
pistol down upon neighboring bed, exclaim-
ing, Il don't want it. i'll didn't shoot him
it wasn't because did not try" The room
being full Of men, the would be-murderer
was Immediately secured and placed in the
guard house
The pistol had been aimed with considerable
skill. The bullet took effect in Mr.. Bakers
head. Several of his comrades gathered
around and supported him while DIR. Lane,
assistant surgeon Of the Home, was summon
ed. Upon examination it was found that
the bullet had entered the right side
OF the bead just back of the cheek
bone, passed around back of the era
mum and followed the skull between
the scalp and the bone. The ball was found
and extracted by DR.. Lane, at point on IT, e
back and lower part Of the head, and a short
distance to the left of the spinal column. The
wound being dressed the injured man was
taken to the Home hospital and yesterday
was doing very well, although that region of
his head where the bullet penetrated, was con-
siderably swollen and somewhat painful The
pistol with which the deed was committed was
32 calibre, five shot revolver and was pur-
chased by Wilton, 80 it is said, in this city
on Friday, for the express purpose of shoot
ing his fellow soldier.
Both of the men came to the Home from
Massachusetts. Wilton it Is asserted is
hard character, has been oftentmes inebriated
and was given to beating his
wife. On the other hand Baker is
said to be quiet, inofensive man
who generally minded his own business.
Wilton is a man about forty five years of age,
medium height and is minus the right arm,
besides having one stiff leg. He wears
heavy gray moustache and has full square
face.
As in hosts of other cases the green-eye
had hand in the affair and instigated Will
ton to do the shooting. Up to within about
two weeks he has lived with woman at
house about mile from the Home, and it is
said he is married to her They had one
child. Here two weeks ago the woman
desc rted him, as we learn, because he ILL
treated and beat her. and came to this city to
reside with her brother. Wilton had an idea
that Baker, his victim, had a hand in the
desertion of his wife. and had influenced her
to leave him. Accordingly he purchased the
pistol and wreaked his vengeance on the
body OF his rival. The woman came origi
nally from Norfolk, Va, and it is alleged
has had several husbands or lovers before
Wilton.
The shooting having taken place on United
States territory. our local authorities had no
jurisdiction in the matter and, therefore, yes
terday forenoon despatch was forwarded to
Portland for a United States officer to come
to this city. In response L. S. Marshal
Marble arrived here on the four o'clock Z.
NJ. train. He Immediately procured team
drove over to the Home, took the prisoner into
his custody and brought him to this city.
Arriving here Wilton was arragned before
United States Commissioner Choate. He
plead not guilty and was taken to Jail, being
unable to furnish bonds. This forenoon he
will have preliminary hearing before Com
missioner Choate. Several witnesses will
be called.