Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-05-04
By the Free Use Of a Loaded Re-
VOlYer.
h. ]. n. Libby Seriously Injured by
an Accident While in Pursuit
Of Him.
Some OF the Would-be Assassin's Esca-
pades About Town.

An Italian scissors grinder turned up in
the city yesterday and endeavored to gain
brief notoriety by acting out the tactics of
wild western COW boy. Early in the fore.
noon he began operations by pointing re-
volver at a lady on Oak street, a little later
he pointed the same weapon at domestic
employed in the family of a prominent bust
ness man. Soon after he tourished the
same weapon in the faces of a party of Young
men at a stable on Melville street, and abou
noon presented it at two boys on Market square
whom it is said, attempted to guy him.
About three o'clock in the afternoon AS
Mr.. Robbins and a Sidney gentleman were
driving with their teams close together and
engaged in conversation they were
startled by two shots in rapid sue
cession and looking up saw the scissors grind
er, whom they had passed without noticing,
standing on the sidewalk a short distance
behind them with a smoking revolver in his
hand. AS neither of them had ever seen the
man before, they were at a loss to know for
whom the shots were intended. OF whether it
was the purpose of the would-be assassin to
divide his attentions. Nothing but his poor
craftsmanship saved him from killing both
men. They Immediately FASTENED down
town to inform the officers concerning him.
him, having been informed of some of his
morning escapades. They fastened at once
in pursuit of him. MIR. Robbins, having not
flied the authorities, started for home, and
again met him near the old Miller house,
near where the shooting occurred Running
up, he asked, ''see here, what were you
shooting att" Cd d--n you, I'll let you
know answered the fellow and at once fired
another shot at Mr. Robbins which
whistled very close to his head.
Mr. Robbins continued on his
way and the prisoner came
came down town carrying his stone and ring
ing his bell and evidently feeling that he
was doing legitimate business all round
He was seen by several citizens who tele-
whereabouts As all the officers were out
searching for him Mr.. J. NJ. Lib
by, the well known State House en-
gineer, and a member of the special
police, undertook to make the arrest. Mr..
w. II. Reid happened to be at the State
House with his team and volunteered to drive
him down street. 1t was Mr.. Lbby's desire
that they should hurry and
they went at quite rapid
pace. Opposite Crescent street they colided
with the team of Deacon Nero, which was
just turning the corner. The buggy was
turned completely over and both of its occu.
pants thrown out Mr.. Reed, fortunately
escaped without injury, but Mr.. Libby, who
is a heavy man, was thrown violently to the
ground and seriously injured. DIR. Crooker
was summoned and the injured man conveyed
to his home.
In the meantime Officer McKenney had
secured the Italian at the factory boarding
house. The revolver which had proved So
dangerous in his hands was taken from him
and found to be of 80 calibre. He was taken
to the Jail and further search revealed a
razor upon his person.
A journal reporter visited him at his quar-.
ters in the Jail, and found, as he expected
a wild, swarthy appearing man, with an al
most wolfish expression of countenance.
"Hallo," said the scribe
"What do you WANT
Il want quiet talk with you. What's
your nameS"
| After some effort, by means of signs ant
| broken English, the prisoner made the re
porter understand that he rejoiced in tbs
name of John Flowery.
"Where did you come fromi"
| Portland"
/ "When?"
| Last evening"
"And your home, is that in Portland?"
| ''No, that's in Boston"
| Where did you get your revolver"
| "In Dover, n. H."
"What motive did you have in shooting a
| that mani"
| ''He call me some names"
| And then John buried his howery nose il
his mug of coffee and the scribe left him
| Reports which later reached this city fron
/ Hallowell showed that this same son of tn
Tiber had fred two shots earlier in the da
at some young men in Hallowell. The ma
is evidently crank and it is reported o.
good authority that he was confined tw
years ago in an insane asylum at Danvers
Mass He will come before Judge Andrew
this morning At O'Clock.