Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-11-12

to the right just at the east end of the Ken
nebec bridge. Here exists a low neighbor-
hood, where wrangles aud midnight brawls
frequently occur, where alcohol Is king and
law and order at a discount. II is in fact
one OF the worst quarters of the city and the
services of the police are often 10 demand
Standing with it, face to the street, and al
most in the c ntre OF this district is the ',Old
Fort" so-called IL is historical building,
having been erected in old revolutionary
times ID
Benxdtct Arnold
when passing through the valley on his way
to Canada, made "A halt at the place. Ii is a
long story aud half structure, with gable
windows, and presents dirty, begrimmed
appearance. The property is now owned by
party of Augusta gentlemen. who recently
purchased it Of the SpragGes But after the
early days of the country had passed, and
this section had become thickly settled, the
fort was no longer required for defense, and
deteriorated into rookery, inhabited by
low class of population. Constructed of
the heaviest timber obtainable, and in a most
solid manner, il afforded very inviting
shelter for these people. OF late years it has
been divided into six tenemrnts all OF which
have been occupied. The one in the south
east corner has been leased by Harry Burns.
there for five wears past. Shortly before }
o'clock vesterl y ,npI .iig, Mrs. Randall ,one
of the occupants 81 tn aiding ran
To the Police station
and announced that Harry Burns was making
disturbance, and she WAS DESTROYS that it
might be quelled. Accordingly officers Rufus
X. Lishness and Arthur ). Baker accompan-
led her across the bridge and to the fort.
Approaching the outside door of Burns ten
ement they attempted to gain entrance. But
the door resisted their efforts. Burns mean-
while was heard
Trapping About Inside,
exclaimng once. Don't come in here,
Warren" under the impression probably that
the intruder was officer Warren Bruce, whom
he knew.
Finding that the door was fastened, Mr..
Lishness proceeded to- the window at the
right raised the sash and thrust his head
inside. Hardly had he done so when there
came the report of revolver, and the
officer dropped backwards to the ground, the
blood gushing from his head MIR. Baker
exclaimed "My God, Lshness, are you
shot?" The wounded man replied that he
was badly hurt. His brother officer ran to
his support aud he managed to stagger to his
feet, At first Baker supported him, but he
finally walked to the police station without
aid Arriving there the unfortunate man
Began to sink,
soon becoming unconscious. His right side
became paralrzed, also portion of his face.
Almost the last words he uttered were, Il did
my duty, didn't II" DIR. Croker was at
once summoned. On looking for the wound
it was found that the bullet had penetrated
the head, entering the top vertically, two
inches above and the same distance in the
rear of the right ear. The missile
Passed Through
both bones of the skull. and the physician
after probing Two inches was unable to find
it, The manner in which Mr.. Lishness was
affected indicated that clot of blood had
formed in the brain and was pressing against
the delicate structure Of that organ. A car
riage being called the man was taken to his
residence on Cushnoc Heights
Ia ha q nj attn nf NH
clans was held. and it was decided that the
wound was mortal, and so it proved. Mr..
Lishness fingered in an insensible coalition
until 40 O'Clock Yesterday afternoon, when
he died
When it was found that Lishness was shot
policeman Bruce and Marshal Harrington
were
Aroused From Their SAUNDERS
for the purpose of taking the assassin in Gus
tody Both Immediately proceeded to the
Fort They did not stop to mince matters,
but Immediately burst in the outside door and
the one leading to the bedroom. Directing
their light into the room they saw Burns and
his wife in bed. the former with pistol in
his hand which was pointed towards them.
Both men sprang towards the bed and grab
bling Burns succeeded, after a struggle, in
extricsting the weapon from his grasp. The
old lady crawled out of the rear part of the
bed while the murderer was forced to arise
and dress himself. He appeared to be in sort
af an
Hallucinated state
endeavoring at times TO harangue the officers,
and was evidently partially crazed with drink.
He was incarcerated in Jail. Yesterday
morning we visited the Fort, finding Mrs
Burns at home surrounded by group of old