The Portland daily press., 1884-12-23
MAINE.
Convention of Maine County Commis-
siDneTs.


sioners.
AUGUSTA, Dec. 22.-The commissioners of
the several counties of the State will meet
with the commissioners of Kennebec county
in convention in this city on the 18th day of
January next. The purpose of ths convention
is to confer upon matters of general interest in
tbs management OF county affairs. A full at
tendance is expected.
The AgsrIeved Towns and Plantations.
The Legislature OF 1885 referred to the Gov
ernor's Council the petitions of the towns of
Hermcn, Fairfield, Dadham, Eastbrook, and
the plantations of Webster and Long Island,
for the abatement of the State valuation of
1881. Tho committee of the Council who
heard the cases, have decided to report
against auy abatsment.
Fire i'm Great Works.
RANGoR, Dec. 22.-The building at Great
Works used as a fish market and dwelling
house and owned by Joseph aud Lewis Side,
was burned yesterday afternoon. Loss $500;
uninsured
Niece OF James G. Blaine pyIng.
WILKEsBARRE, Pa, Dec. 22.-Sissar Their
esa, one OF the inmates OF ths orphan asylum
attached to st. Marg'S Church in this city, is
dangerously i'll and her recovery is doubtful.
Sister Theresa is niece of James G. Blaine
and returned from Washington last Monday,
where she was called upon by the ex.Secretary
OF State.
Another Murder Trial in Keanebec
County.
AUGUSTA Dac. 22.-The trial of Harry
Burns for the murder of Ohicer Rufus A.
Lishness, On the 11th day of November, COM
menced in the Superior Court at 10 O'Clock
this morning. This is the third murder trial in
this term of court. The jury was impaneled
at noon and they walked across the river and
inspected the premises where the murder was
committed. County Attorney Haines con-
ducts the prosecution, Attorney General
Clesves not being present to assist as in the
other two trials. Herbert NJ. Heath is the
counsel for the defendant. He began his
opening speech at 2 o'clock this afternoon 1t
is understood that he will ask for verdict of
manslaughter or acq7ittal on the ground that
Burns not knowing that Lishness was an off
Ger when hs placed his head in the respond
ent's window on the night of the killing, was
justified in the shooting.
County Attorney Haines opened for Re
prosecution at o'clock p. m. The frat wit
ness called was Arthur S. Baker, the police.
man who was with Lishness when shot, He
testified:
On the day of the murder Mrs. Randall called
upon me a little past O'Clock in the morning at
the station house to make the arrest of the prisoner
at the bar. Rufus r. Lishness acting as police
officer with me at the time. We went TO Burns
residence at the northeast corner Of the old fort;
stopped 10 listen for the disturbance. In my judg-
menJ there was disturbance enough to warrant the
arrest of Mr.. Burns, who was raving up and down
with his pistol. | went to the door and stid:
Harry, open this door!'' and he said warren. Is
that you?'' L told him if he did not open the door
should break it down Then heard Burns say,
saw lishness GO to the window and open it, immedi-
ately beard him say, "Ah! don't you do that;''
of pistol. Lshness fell back to the ground with
the exclamation, "I'm shot dead" Lishness was
able to walk to the station house, whereI called
physician. He died at o'clock that afternoon.
Warren is the given name of the Augusta police
man.
Mrs. Mary Randall and her 13-year-old son
were called to prove the prisoner was max
ing disturbance. She testified as to her call
on the officers.
City Marshal Frank L. harrington, who
aided in srresting Burns on the night of the
18th, testified:
We broke through the cellar and bedroom doors
the first thing saw Mr.. Burns lying upon his
side with pistol in his hand pointed towards the
door; Mr.. Bruce then sprang upon the man and
after quite tussle We got the pistol away from
him We got him up and he continued talking at ran
dom; he did not want to dress don't know but what
he got his pants on when we took him off.
Drs. G. w. Martin, L. j. Croker and J. o.
Webster, who aided in the autopsy, testified as
to the wound and the course of the bullet.
Frank Spear testified.
arrested Burns on abeutthe 9Th of November
and on our way over he told me that he would fix
the next man who arrested him.
AT the adjournment of court tonight the
prosecution rested their case.
sche0lhOuse i'm 81. AIbans Burned.
ST. ALBANs, Dsc. 22.-The schoolhouse in
district No II village district was burned Sat-
urday morning. about 8 o'clock. The FIRE was
discovered in the lower ROOM. The wind being
northeast saved the buildings of IE. @. Baker
and Mrs Jordan. The cause of the fire is un-
known as there has bsen no fire in the build
ing by any authority since the 18th inst. Loss
to the district is $500.