Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-02-02
ENTIRELY INNOCENT.
Young Wentworth IL Not Held for the
Death Of His Father
VAUDEVILLE, Feb.

Inc coroners inquest upon tne DOdy OF
Edwin A. Wentworth of Sidney, shot las
Sunday night by the discharge of revolver
in the hands of his son, Quincy Wentworth
rendered verdict after three days investiga
ton, that the deceased came to his death BY
bullet discharged from revolver in the
hands of his son, that the revolver was dis
snatch the same from the hand of the son.
| The jury further found that the son was en-
tirely free from blame in the premises thai
the discharge of the revolver was solely ac
cidentai, that the son was without any evil
intent or act in the matter. The coroner did
not deem it necessary to arrest or commit
the son to await the action of the Crane
Jury being entirely satisfied that he wa,
innocent in the matter.
Special to the Kennebec Journal.
| The inquest over the body of Edwin A
Wentworth, who was shot by his son, Quin
! cy, last Sunday, has been completed, and
| Coroner Carver returned from Sidney, the
scene of the tragedy, this evening The
coroner's jury returned verdict of death
by accident, thus exhonorating the boy from
all blame. The evidence brought out at the
examination was substantially the same as the
account already published in the Journal.
The neighbOrs, well knowing Wenthworth's
violent disposition and habitual abuse of his
wife and family, have long expected that
some tragedy would be enacted in the house
hold.
1t appears that while Wentworth was
beating his daughter, who was lying upon the
floor, Quincy, the son, rose from his chair
and passing close by his father, went to a
recess in the wall of the room and removed
the revolver from his fathers vest which
was hanging there. His intention was to
carry it into bedroom in another part of
the house and there conceal ie hut in order
to reach the bed room it was necessary for
him to pass through door close beside his
father. His father caught sight of the re-
volver just as he was crossing the threshold
of the door, and sprnging upon him, en-
deavored to wrest the pistol from his hand.
The lock of the pistol was defective, and
when the hammer was pushed back it would
not catch at the half cock. The boys hand
was over the hammer, as it naturally would
be in carrying the weapon, and the father
gasped the barrel which was pointing direct
ly toward him. In the struggle which fol-
lowed for the possession for the revolver,
the father doubtless pulled it towards him,
slipped it through his sons hand, which,
catching npon the hammer, pulled it back,
and when the revolver left the hand, the
hammer fell and the cartride was discharged.
The ball entered the left breast, passing
through the main artery connecting the heart
and lungs, causing almost instant death.
The boy, Quincy, is about nineteen years
of age. For the past five years he has
spent the greater part of his time away from
home at work, but his wages have always
been appropriated by his father. He is said
of the family in common with the other
children. Mrs. Wentworth has stated that
for five year PAST there has scarce
IL been time when she has
not borne one or more bruises upon her body
the result of her husbands abuse. In her
testimony at the inquest she stated that al
one time her husband threw her on the bed
and threatened to kill her with a knife, and
doubtless would have done SO but for the
timely arrival of peddler. In spite of the
terrible experience of the last few days it is
not remarkable that she looks and acts like a
person relieved of terrible burden.
The followingis the verdict of the coro-
ner's jury
STATE OF MAINE.
kENNEBEC SIS.
An inquest taken at Sidney, within said
county aforesaid on the 30 and 81 of Janu-
ary and day of February in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
eighty eight, before Leonard ID. Carver, gen.
Item II, one of the coroners of said county
aforesaid upon the view of the body of Ed
win A. Wentwo orth there lying dead, by oath
of Abram Is. Moore, George {. Robbins.
Benson Z. Hartman, Frank c. Moore, Frank
Bourne John Robinson, yeoman, good and
law full men, who being charged and sworn to
inquire for the State, when, how and by
what means the said Edwin A. Wentworth of
Sidney, Maine, came to his death at his
dwelling house in said Sidney on the 30 day
of January, 1888, at about eight O'Clock +.
NJ. that his death was caused by leaden
bullet discharged from revolver in the
hands of his son Quincy A. Wentworth, aged
10 wears; that said bullet SO discharged pen
etrated the left breast of said Edwin A.
Wentworth causing hemorrhage aud almost
instant death; that said revolver was acc-
dentalls discharged by said Edwin A. Went
worth attempting to snatch the same from
the hand of his said sou. We further find
that said Quincy A. Wentworth was in no
wise to blame or in fault; that the cause
of said death was purely accidental and
without any evil intent, design or act on the
part of said Quincy A. Wentworth.
In testimony whereof, the said coroner
and the Jurors of this inquest have hereunto
set their words and seals the day and year
above named.
Signed LEoNARp ID. CARVER, Coroner,
Abram B. Moore, Frank Bourne,
George c. Robinson, Frank c. Moore.
John Robinson, Benson h Hartman.
COLLECTOR SHERMAN