The Portland daily press., 1886-08-28
IN THE WELD WEST.
PeriIous Adventure of Hon. z. F.
Webb of WatervElle.
The Title of the Site of Waterviile's 8
Railway Shops.
Special TO the Press.

AUGUSTA. Aug. 2S.-It will be remember
ed that after the Maine Central commenced
work on their new Waterville shops it was
found there was some question with regard
to the legality of their title to the land on
which the contemplated buildings were be-
ing erected The land originally belonged
to Frazier Gilman of Eden, Lincoln county,
Dakota. Mr.. Gilman's attorney, Sidney
Moor Heath, Esq, of Waterville, in accord
ance with telegraphic instructions from Mr..
Gilman gave a title to the land Mr.. Gil
man, however, claimed that the attorney
exceeded his instructions, and proceeded to
test the validity of the roads title The
road consequently decided to ask the rail
road commissioners to condemn the land,
providing Mr.. Gilman would not settle on
reasonable terms Hon. E. f. Webb of
Waterville was sent to Eden, Mr.. Gilman S
home, to buy the land and failing in this to
serve the necessary legal notice.
Mr.. Webb reached Eden, and accompanied
by the sheriff of the county proceeded by
carriage to Mr.. Gilmans home. That gen.
tleman came from the house to confer with
them, and although he refused to settle for
WIdU WAS CUuSluCICQ ICdoOAaplO pOAiho3 ~
treated his visitors affably. Failing to buy
the land, the proper notices were served.
AS they were preparing to drive away Mr..
Gilman invited the sheriff into the house to
take something. When he had closed the
door he said 'I'm going to kill that man
out there" The sheriff tried to quiet him
and apparently did so. Leaving the house
| he entered the carriage, told Mr.. Webb what
had transpired. and they hurried off at the
| top of their horses speed, taking different
route from that by which they came. Some
miles from the house, however, they were
| overtaken by Mr.. Gilman and a desperate
| on horse back, both armed with pistols. The
| sheriff and Webb were unarmed. Riding uI
| to the carriage they stopped the horse, and
| Gilman holding out pistol to Webb saio
| that he had come to kill him, but that he
could defend himself Mr.. Webb refused the
| weapon, and the sheriff tried the role OF {
| pacifcator. Gilman had worked himself uE
| to a terrible pitch of excitement, was ravine
! like a mad man, said that Mr.. Webb hat
| ruined his family, and that if he (Mr. Webb
| had passed through the village near by, as
| he had come he would have had thousand
bullet holes put through MIN. during al
this harangue he flourished his pistols and
| Mr.. Webb expected to be shot at any mo
ment.
| The presence of the sheriff, alone, seemed
| to deter the madman from murder By de
| grees the sheriff succeeded in quieting hin
down, and finally, with many threat Of
| future vengeance, he permitted them to driv'
1 did 70 eff a q fhQir bnrcf
could take.
Mr.. Webb on his arrival home kept thu
| matter very quiet, until one day week ol
| two ago Gilman himself appeared on th
scene in Waterville, preparing to make I
| fight for his land. A suit was immediatel.
| instituted by Mr.. Webb for assault with in
tent ta lsill, l,-aAd- damages -@llee~A-"A-S SEIaia
| and an attachment put on Gilman properly
The story given above is Mr.. Webb's yer
sion, and doubtless is the correct one.