The Portland daily press., 1886-08-03
Latest Developments in the Sad
shooting Affair at New Portland.

~ II. .. ". Shoiuo.
latest Developments in the Sad
shooting Affair at New Portland.
NEW PORTLAND, Aug. 2.-An account of
the shooting of Miles S. Bray, son of Charles
Bray of New Portland. on Monday, July II,
was published in the papers of July a..
Since then the affair has been carefully in
vestigated, and something near correct ac-
count of the unfortunate occurrence can now
be given.
Charles Bray, the father of the boy shot,
is farmer living about one mile from West
New Portland Village. His eldest child,
Miles, was pretty boy three years and
three months old.
During the haying season, Linwood Kersh-
ney, boy about nine years old, and cousin
of Miles, has been employed by Mr.. Bray to
do chores and errands.
Monday after supper, the day of the shoot
ing, Mrs. Bray sent the Kershney boy out to
the granery to get some BEANS Her little
boy Miles asked permission to go with him
and was allowed to do so on condition he
would not go up the ladder. The granery
was over a work room and was reached by a
ladder from the room After they had been
gone short time, Mrs. Bray heard the re-
port of a gun, and going out found Miles ly-
ing just outside the workshop door, shot
through the breast.
The story told by the Kershney boy at the
time, was that while going up the ladder to
get the beans, he saw Miles pick up gun
which stood behind the door, and that as he
went to take it from him, he threw it down,
when it went off, shooting him and blowing
him out of the door. After the occurrence
the Kershney boy went away and was not
found until late in the evening. An examin-
alton of the premises showed that it was al
most impossible for the boy to shoot him
self. The charge went almost straight
through the centre of the body, after which
it struck the half open door, and then
glanced off. 1t seemed evident that the boy
could not have held the gun and shot him
self in the manner described. A few days
ago the Kershney boy was again questioned,
and now tells what is regarded by many as
more reasonable theory as to the manner
of the shooting.
He now says: 81 got half way up the lad
der after the beans. locked down and aw
the Bray boy had taken up the gun. l told
him to lay it down or he would get hurt. He
did not do so went down and he dropped
the gun. l caught it before it struck the
floor. Miles stepped out and stood on an OK
yoke, that lay just outside the door, He
turned around facing me. | cooked the gun
with my hand and raising it up to my side
with it pointing out of the door. pulled the
trigger did not think it was loaded. did
not mean to shoot him. | said something to
Miles before l fired, but don't remember
what. was frightened when l saw him
fall. threw the gun down and went off.
am very sorry
Which of these stories is correct is mat
ter of conjecture, as the two boys were alone
at the time. The boy says that he has now
told it as it occurred. If the last story is
correct, the first was told for fear of punish
ment if he toldthe truth. He feels very bad
about the matter now.
He undoubtedly has but little idea of a
gun, or the danger of handling one. The
Bray boy had been taught to let the gur-
alone, and had always done so previous to
this. Which one of the boys took the gun
first is an open question. The boys had al
ways been very good friends and played to-
gether.
New Postmaster in Piscataquis.
WASHINGTON, Aug. monday, Samuel
S. Huff was appointed postmaster at Wei
lington. vice Sumner S. Huff, removed.
The Burglars Not Successful.
Especial to the Press.l
LISBON, N. H., Aug. 1.-Burglars entered
the store of Wells and Woolson, dealers in
dry goods and groceries, early Saturday
morning blew the safe open, completely de-
stroyi ng its front 1t having 36 hour bur
glar proof money till the thieves were una
BILE to secure any booty.
Lanes Body Recovered.
LEWISTON, Aug 2-Mr. Floyd, the Port
land diver, recovered the body of young
Lane, drowned in Taylor pond Sunday, to-
day. The water was 30 feet deep.
MIR. Blaine to Take Part in the Repub-
lican Canvas.
AUGUSTA, Aug. 2.-The Kennebec Jour
nal of tomorrow will say: "In answer to
many inquiries from the press of the coun-
try. we state that Mr. Blaine has no appoint
ment to speak in Portland on the 10 inst. 1t
is. however, understood that Mr.. Blaine will
take part in the Republican canvass as has
been his uniform habit for the past thirty
years.
Ocean Park Baptist Association.
OLD ORCHARD, Aug. "A meeting of the
directors of the Ocean Park Free Baptist As
sociation, was held at o'clock this afternoon
in the temple. Various recommendations
and resolutions we're adopted and referred to
the annual meeting. The following officers
were elected: President, Rufus Deering,
Portland; Secretary, o. F. Moulton; Treas
urer, B. F. Haley, Newmarket; Directors,
l. d. Steward. Dover; Fl. F. Wood and E.
w. Porter, Lake Village; B. F. Haley, New
market; Rufus Deering, Portland; B. c.
Jordan, Alfred; H. K. Clark, Providence and
George w. Goodwin, Wells.
Bar Harbor Gossip.
BAR HARBoR, Aug. 1T was foggy to-
day. No yachts entered or left the harbor.
The yacht Yosemite is at Portland and is
expected here. Jay Gould passed the most
of the day on his yacht. Mr.. Blaine left this
morning for Fryeburg. He will address the
Chatauquans there tomorrow.
cAETRsINC DEN RAIDED