Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-05-14

bad left Hopkins up on the track But as
Mr.. Spear had gone up he didn't think
1t necessary TO go himself. Getchell said he
had struck Hopkins once. He appeared sort
of ashamed of having been fgnt
ing. ''Getchell is fellow that
never quarrels on the street, so
he felt ashamed of it l suppose" said
witness. Thought Getchell said he had
struck Hopkins in the mouth. DIR. Martin
here stated that the young mans clothes were
not torn.
| John Hersom, then called testified that he
overheard Doc and Getchell talking at the
depot Friday evening about trouble with
Hopkins at Meonian hall. Stated that Doe
said whats the matter with the little fool?'
and Getch, II said never mind, I'll fix him."
Had seen Ge,ebcll this morning aud Getch-
ell had denied making such talk at the de-
pot.
W. Il. McKenn,y was called and corrobo-
rated the testimony of his brother.
Michael Burns was then called and testi-
fed TO talking with Getchell in Bennett's res
tauraut, Saturday forenoon Talked of the
show held the previous night Mr.. Getchell
said there was no trouble except with young
Hopkins. Witness said ''wny didn't you slap
his face?" "Never mind, III fix him when
night time comes" was the reply. Mr..
Heath questioned the witness as 70 wha. he
thought Getchell meant at the time. Wit
ness said he at the time supposed Getthell
simply meant he'd slap him, now he didn't
know what he might have meant.
Fred A, Shaw, called and sworn, testified
that at the depot, Friday evening, Getchell
told Doe, "never mind, I'll fix him some
night"
Michael Lynch testified that he heard
Getchcl, say saturday, that he was going TO
slap Billy Hopkins.
Al four O'Clock, Getchell who had not
been present up To this time, was brought
iato the room and sworn, He appeared
calm, but evidently was suffering in his
mind, He told his story in natural and
straightforward manner. He stated that
when he passed Hopkins on the street, near
JOhnson's shoe store, Saturday night over
heard him call him (witness) a 'stinkcr,' and
that was why he told Hopkins he wanted to
see him. They walked along and Hopkins
called witness some hard names Gctchell
told him "Bill YOU dou't want 10 fight" that
he (wtness) was bigger man etc. Hop
kins had answered that the witness was big
man but great coward, As they walked
up the track he told Hopkins that he didn't
want To fight him, Was walking a little
iheal of Hopkins when, looking over his
shoulder, he saw him taking of his ovcrcoat.
Witness faced about and Hopkins struck at
him, his hand passing downward and break
ing the watch chain of the witness.
Witness then struck Hopkins with his
left hand, knocking him over onto the
rack. Was arrested at his home at $50
sunday morning. Didn't make any talk ut
lepot about Hopkins Didn't see anybody
20 up on the track with them. Was not
fraid of trouble till he saw Hopkins taking
,l his coat. Was so dark that he didn't see
any blood or see where his head struck. Sup
posed Hopkins was simply stunned. Witness
len lied the broken bits of chain Didn't
miss them till he got down street after the
affair Showed the jury the manner he struck
At Hopkins, and his bruised hand which was
swol IN. Doctors examined wound to see If
1 laccratcd one. They thought it might
nave been made by blow on tooth Wit
ness stated that he never had made previous
,greemcnt 10 go up there and fight. Said he
walked up that way SO As not to attract at-
cntion on the street by loud talk. Supposed
Hopkins would give up the notion of fighting
,ud the matter could be settled without blows,
told Burns tina, bye and bye he'd cuf him,
Hopkins, not "fx him." never had any
rouble with Hopkins before Friday evening.
Had helped him several times. Got him out
Clark about revolver Before leaving Hop
<ins after knocking him down, took him up
in his arms and set him up between the
tracks. Thought he was coming to. Didn't
90 back with the officer because thought Hop
kins as soon as he recovered would want to
light again Didn't think he hal been drink
ing. Hadn't been drinking himself The
broken mug AID no dy one were brought
in but were not introduced as evidence.
Mr.. Heath sad he cuull pro luce the per-
son who threw the mug Oui there previous to
the time in question. The stone had but
little bloc upon it and was found not far
from the pool of blood.
The Coroner's Jury Found
that the said VIM. VI " ,pkins came to his
leath on the 18th day of MAY, 1873, at about
( 80 o'clock A. NJ, in the saloon occupied
by Michael Burns and II K. Hopkins in
Augusta, in said county, from injuries re-
reived on the night previous, in an alterca-
ton with James A. Getchel, at point on the
Maine Central railroad company's track about
midway between Bridge street and
The railroad bridge crossing Water street, by
a heavy blow in the mouth inflicted by said
I,etchell, thereby causing him to fall on said
rack, striking the iron rail thereof, causing
4, fracture of the skull, resulting in death as
above stated.
Getchcll will probably be committed to
await the action of the grand jury at the
September term.