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

women. She talked freely about the affair.
She said her husband drinks hop beer to
excess. he making it himself. and she showed
Us
Wash-Boiler
in which he concocted the drink. It was
partially filled with dark looking liquid.
He was said to quito often take as much as
two gallons of it in one day. If not as strong
as ordinary rum or whiskey, il must have
had as injurious an effect. She further said
that her husband had been talking loudly
about the election shortly before the shooting.
but at the time the officers first came she was
asleep Near the window in which the officer
was shot were the remains of blood intermixed
with dirt. We also visited Burns in his cell,
aad approached close enough TO him to find
that his breath savored of something strong
or than hop beer. He conversed volubly
and had
A story of His own
as to the affair, which he related as follows:
I'm the middle of the night | had wran-
election. | was considerably rolled up At
ter going TO bed | was aroused By some one
beating against my outside door. and suppos-
ing the fellow to be one of those with whom
l talked on the street, yelled at him TO go
away. Soon ] saw some one raise the
sash of one of my front windows /
jumped from the bed and seeing a mans
head protruding through the window, attempt
ed to push him back: was unable to drive him
away, and getting my pistol from the bureau
draw. fired at HIM once. After that every
thing was still until the officers came and
took me. | had no idea when | fired that a
policeman was at the window. Drink occa-
sionally.
Harry Burns,
the murderer, is evidently tough case. He
Is man OF medium height and wears
grizzled beard His face bears the
brand of the intoxicating bowl, and his nose,
yesterday, showed a fresh wound re-
ceiyed 10 his scuffie with the officers. He
has been an inmate of the National Soldiers
Home, Togus. but for five years past, as
stated above, has resided in the "old fort"
receiving rations from the Home. Burns
pants, such as are worn by inmates of the
Home. His native country is Ireland, which
he left 40 years ago, t. come to America.
His age is IS years.
Rufus IL. Lishness
was one of our most respected citizens
and stood well among his fellow men
By trade he was table smoother. Last
spring he was appointed on the night police
officer. He was member of Crescent
Lodge A o. U. w. of Hallowell and his
family, consisting of wife and six children
will receive $1,000 from the lodge. He was
aged about As years.
The question was often asked on the street
Yesterday 'what are we coming top Are
we going
Back Into Barbarian.
Here within a week over two months there
have been three murders in Kennebec county
First, Mrs Tuck was strangled by
Baker on Sept. 5th. October 9th, Officer
Malloy was shot dead at Togus in a most
Cplh undHutIs anu pOllCemdl
Lishness falls before the asssssin's bullet
The two latter were committed in resistance
to law, and were perpetrated by lawless men
They were both indirectly caused by
liquor To-day there are three murderers in
Kennebec Jail, and there will undoubtedly be
Three Murder Trials
before the December term of court. Such
cold blooded tragedies can but have bad
effect on the morals of the community. So
many murders within so short a time have
aroused the community, and threats of lynch
law are frequently heard.
In the afternoon the prisoner was
Arraigned
before Judge Andrews. He waived examin-
alton and was bound over to the December
term. County Attorney Haynes appeared
for the government Heath for the respon-
dent.
After the death of Mr. Lishness, Coroner
Libby viewed the remains and deemed an
inquest unnecessary. He ordered an autopsy,
however. which was held last evening bv DR.
Crooker, assisted by other physicians.