Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-08-09

with Fond Antfeipations
OF meeting father and mother and the;
orotners and sisters, and of the brief happ,
Gays they should enjoy with loved ones. Blu
nardly had they entered the yard when Camp
Deii came bringing the CHASTITY news tina
.fick" was shot and perhaps killed. Johr
turner cousin of the Turner boys, hat
brought the two young men from Augusta
ana was at hand with his span. The fathel
and his son Evander at once jumped into thu
wagon and john drove his horses at break
neck speed until Williams was reached
"hen the aged father saw his darling bo,
lying dead on the ground and
Weltering In His Life Blood.
he was almost heartbroken and his grief va,
uncomfortable. Tenderly the body wa:
placed In the wagon and the sorrowing father
supported it in his arms until his home
made wretched by this calamity, was reached
DR.. A. R G. Smith of North Whitefeld. and
Dr. Frederick of Cooper's Mills, were sum.
moned aud on Thursday made an
Examination OF the Wound.
Inc family objected to post mortem disco
''on. IL was found that the bullet entered
the BODY on the right side between the Sec
ond and third ribs, two inches to the right OF
the sterum. Ii penetrated directly inwards
ABOUT an inch. changed its course obliquely
IN and downwards for about an inch and con-
unued on in zigza9 course through one
iang' probably reaching the heart. A probe
was inserted depth of seven inches.
The funeral occurred at the Turner house
Friday afternoon, there being great gather
ing OF friends and neighbors who profoundly
sympathized with the afflicted relatives.
Csroner'c Inquest.
On Friday morning coroher's jury was
lmpaneled by Coroner Charles F. Choat, as
follows: John B. Dodge, foreman; VIM.
Leighton, Joseph French, Charles Ferrin,
Grin Crummet and Matthews, After view
ing the remains they examined two witness
ID, John N. Turner and William Mcdaniel.
Today they continue their investigation and
examine all the parties Immediately con-
cerned in the case. The question to decide
now is whether Witham is guilty of wilful
murder or not. That there are
eliminating circumstance
of considerable strength is undeniable. That
he should so suddenly flee and remain hid
den up to this time is a damaging fact of
itself, although the woods and country for
miles about the neighborhood have been
secured not trace can be found of the man.
His father says that he has hunted for his
son, even going as far as Augusta, but in
vain. Where the fellow is remains a mvs.
terry. Some even 60 so far as to say that he
is secreted and food is being brought to him.
The relatives of Witham present all say they
did not see the shooting but the old man.
Their son George was picking up stone,
Campbell stood with his back to the shooting,
the mother was in the house and not observ-
ing what was taking place. The latter, how
ever, once told for fact that the Turner
boy was seated upon the rock when shot,
although his father sticks to the story that he
was standing by the side of Chester. The
question arises, how could the bullet pass
downwards if the boy had been standing up
as it must have necessarily have an upward
course, if the pistol had been accidentally
discharged while the two were handling it,
even if Witham was considerably taller than
his companion. George Witham immediate
ly after the shooting started for the store at
Bruce's corner, marketed basket of eggs
and returned without saying anything about
the shooting to anyone. 1t seems that Ches-
ter had
AGrudxs Against His Victim
because he suspected the young man of shoot
ing his dog, which had come home with a
bullet in his neck. Only week begore the
tragedy he had told man with whom he was
at work that ''she Turner boys had better be
id careful or they would get some bull
lets put into their legs" He also. so it lie
related, said to another companion that he
could shoot "two legged dogs. The old gen.
tleman Withsm said after the boy was killed,
so lady who was present at the time of the
killing related, that all he had against him
was his shooting the dog. Chester Witham
had bad reputation in the neighborhood and
was regarded as rather vicious and ugly. He
was nearly six feet tall, weighed $50 pounds
and muscular. Those who knew him say
that he possesses hangdog look. He was
regarded as thief and was tried once for
stealing rope. He is very ignorant and it
is said can barely write his name. The story
was current in Somerville that he once
Pointed a Gun
at Willie Soule, the son of a neighbor, when
in rage, and snapped the cap but the gun
didn't explode. Soule then took the gun
away from him and handled him roughly.
The father of the boy killed firmly believes
that his son was murdered and many Somer-
vile citizens join with him. There are other
candid men who believe the shot was acct
dental. At present 1t is hard determining
the truth.
was an ugly implement, being forty-two
cslibre ''swamp-angel," so called 1t was
out of order, the cylinder and lock both need
ing repairs. Witham took the weapon with
him when he fed.
Countv Attorney PARTRIDGE of North Wbita