Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-08-09
MURDER.
Fatal Shooting in the Town
Of SOmeryille.
chester o. Witham Instantly Kills
Joseph q. Turner.
fhe Sad Beginning of Two
Brothers Vacation.
me Circumstances Not Favorable
for Witham.

Last Wednesday the town of Somervilla !,
Lincoln county, was the scene of what. if
strong ctrcumstantial evidence is to be taken
into account, is probably cruel, witul muir.
der. Chester o. Witham shot and instantly
killed Joseph Henry Turner, and if murder
was not committed the circumstances which
surround the case are of q most peculiar
character and such as have not often been
met with in homicdes. The place where
The Tragedy TranspIred
is on the road between Weeks Mills and
Bruce's Corner. Three miles from the mills
ana nfteen from Augusta is located the farm
mouse OF Benjamin Turner, one of the prom.
lnent Citizens of that town and one of the
family of that name whose members have
been among the most respected and thrifty
citizens OF Somerville. His home is prettilv
located on the brow of rather steep hill at
the foot of which meanders a small stream,
the water of which carries the wheel of saw
mill the property of Mr.. Turner The DWELL
ing is like hundreds of others found along the
country roads. 1t is one story structure
with an ell, facing the road, standing on the
east side. 1t color is white. Mr. Turner's
family consisted of his wife, five sons,
Nehemiah, 81 years old; Evander. "a; W..
IT,, %; Charles, 20; Joseph Henry, 10.
There were also two sisters. 1t was happy,
peaceful family and the youngest boy was
the pet and pride of his father, who has now
nearly reached the allotted age of man. He
Was a Coed hoy,
always cheerful and jolly, fond of play and
be made fast play for his playmates and as
sociates. Seldom, if ever, had he been
known TO show any temper. His two broth
ers, Nehemiah and w. G., are employed in
the Worcester, Mass, Insane Asylum. A
short distance beyond Mr.. Turner's the road
bends to the right towards Bruce's corner
and ten rods beyond the turn sets
The Witham House
on the left hand side of the road. 1t is a
mere shanty a small wood-colored structure,
the shape of Iean-to is built against the
wall next the road and stands twenty feet from
where the carriages pass. The yard is rough,
and several white headed boulders protrude
from the ground. maple tree stands near
a stone wall on the opposite side of the street
from the house, and another at the corner of
the yard four rods towards Bruces corner.
The appearance on every hand is that of
straitened circumstances. the interior being
deficient in furniture. The head of the fam
lily is Waterman Witham, ffty-six years old !;
his wife fifty-five; sons, Chester o., twenty
seven years old, and George. younger.
Another son lives in Rocklsnd. MIR. Withsm
formerly lived on what is called 1.-THE Gore. "
Chester had been to sea, but the past summer
has been stopping around home, obtaining a
days work whenever he could find it.
Last Wednesday he had been at work in
the hay field for Mr.. Benjamin Turner, the
father of the dead boy. He had done good
DAVIS work, and at night started for home.
Joseph Henry departed with him, his mind
filled with joy in anticipation of meeting his
two brothers from Worcester. who were COM
ing home to spend their brief vacation. But
it was a fatal walk for him. He left his
fathers dooryard only to meet his death at
the hands of his companion short time
afterwards. Just before he departed, and in
the dining-room after supper, Mr.. Turner,
who was just completing his meal, called his
son to his side and earnestly
Cautioned Him Against
William. "Now don't you go nth him Pick.
ie'' "a nickname), he said, "be careful, am
afraid of him, he is bad fellow"
The boy answered: "Well," and went
out and ON his way with Chester. The two
continued on until they reached the Withsm
house. Here we give the
Account of the Shooting
AZ related by the old gentleman Witham, the
father of Chester. He said
Chester and "Pick" came down the road.
There were present besides them my son
George, and son-in-law Campbell, who lives
at Bruce's Corner. My wife was in the house,
while | sat on barrel about 10 feet from the
road and near the well. "Pick," on arriving
in front of the house, saw squirrel on the
vail, and ran to the house to get George to
shoot it. George came out with Chester
pistol and, standing in the road, fired twice
at it. not hitting his mark. Then he said to
Chester, Here, you take it. perhaps you can
hit the animal" Chester took the weapon
and was loading it when it was discharged
accidentally. The next knew l saw Pick
turn around, he having been standing by the
side of Chester on the side of the road next
the house snd facing from me. Blood was
flowing from his mouth and breast. jump
ed M and caught the wounded boy before ne