Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-05-08
FIVE SHOTS.
A Bath Son Shoets His Mother
While Under the Influence
Of Liquor.
Four of the Shots Take Effect, Seriously
Injuring the Helpless Woman
Recovery Doubtful.
BATH. Nav Z,

"ames flousOon OF Bath. who has been in
drunken spree for several days, woke up
Thursday morning, and found his breakfast
not ready. In an angry fit he went to the
sleeping room of his mother, up stairs, and
ound her in bed. He discharged five shots
from revolver, two of which took effect in
her head.
Hodgdon then went to the attic and said
he would shoot the first man who approached,
but was captured and put in the lookup. He
is middle aged man.
Second Dispatch.
Thursday morning, about o'clock, Ira
HodgdOn, father of James, arose and was
building the fire. James shortly after got up
and went into the room where his mother lay
in bed, with revolver in his hand. He asked
how she felt this morning. She answered not
very WELL He said, II never felt better IT,
my life" and commenced shooting at her and
fired at her three times, one bullet striking
her on the forehead over the left eye. She
raised her body up and put out her hand to
guard of another bullet, when he fred twice
more and the shots broke two fingers on her
left hand. His father came into the room on
hearing the first shot, and said, "James What
are you doing?' He dreamily said, Il have
killed her, amt it too bad?"
His father became frightened and ran out
in the street, and James went into his room,
when Mrs. Hodgdon, whom it seems was left
totally unprotected. badly wounded and weak
from the loss of blood, got up and sought ref
uge at one of the neighbors, leaving the house
without any shoes on.
The police arrived on the scene in short
time, and Officer Kittredge went to the door.
and was invited to come up stairs by James,
who was standing at the top of the stairs,
Pointing Revolver at Him.
Kittredge stepped back to the street, and on
seeing James go into the room, rushed up
stairs. On entering the room, James made
a grab for the revolver, which was on the
table, but Kittredge was too quick for him,
and obtained possession of it and also of a
knife and pint of whiskey.
He went quietly to the station house, but
was anxious to know ''if he had shot any:
body" and "where all the blood came from
in the ROOM His questions were evaded by
the officers. On his arrival at the police sta
ton, he apparently forgot all about the affray
and will not say anything about it, and is
very anxious to know what he is confined
there for.
Hodgdon has been for the past three days
on drunken spree. After he had shot his
mother, he went into the front room and reck-
lessly fred his revolver several times.
A Physician Summoned.
DR.. J. B. Wescott was summoned and is
attending the victim of the shooting, and this
forenoon, accompanied by DIR. f. M. Fuller,
called and dressed the wounds. DR.. Wescott
said the bullet in the face struck one-half an
inch above the bridge of the nose and went
into the inner table of the skull This bull
let was removed. The other two shots struck
the left hand and broke two fingers and dam
aged two other fingers.
This noon, Hodgdon was gradually recov-
ering from the effects of his spree, and re-
membered the occurrence on being told it by
the doctor. He complains about his head.
The examination will be suspended until he
is considered to be in fit state to testify.
Hodgdon is unmarried and is about 3S years
of age. He is seaman, His mother said
that he Twas her best boy" She does not
mention the sad affair, unless asked by the
doctors.
Mrs. Hodgdon has been restored to con-
scousness and may recover.
Slim Chance for Recovery.
Mrs. Hodgdon who was shot by her son
this forenoon, is failing The chance for her
recovery is slim.