The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1889-01-02


For years past there has been consider
able rivalry among some of the young men
of Bridgeton, Pa, and Milford, in regard
to who should lay claim to the affections
of the young ladies on the other side of
the river, and quite frequently young
men from Milford side have met with OPP
position and molestation while escortiug
young ladies to their homes in Bridgetou
A few weeks ago we we're informed by a
Bridgeton gentleman that an attack of
this kind had been made, but we refrain
ed from mentioning it in the hope that
an amicable adjustment of the difficulty
might be made. Tuesday evening of last
week this feeling eliminated in serious
shooting ARRAY, through which one man
may lose his life and another occupies q
prison cell. AS to the circumstances
which brought about the unfortunate af-
fair, we know comparatively nothing and
it has been impossible up to this time for
us to obtain particulars which do not con-
flict. The air since has been filled with
all sorts of stories, and it is doubtful IL a
true version of the affair can be obtained
until the matter is brought before the
Bucks couaty (Pa.) Court. Be that as it
may, we may say that William Tomson,
son of Hugh Tomson, farmer residing
near Warren Paper Mills, has for some
time past been paying attention to a
Bridgeton young lady. Tuesday evening
he attended the Christmas entertainment
at the Milford Christian Church and at
the close of the exercises he proceeded to
escort the young lady to her home 10
Bridgeton, in company with several other
young couples of his acquaintance. They
crossed the bridge without molestation,
but several hundred yards down the road
on the other side an attack was made up
on the party by number of Bridgeton
young men. Tomson was struck several
blows in the face, and companion,
named William Clark, of Milford, was
beaten about the head, while the young
ladies were subjected to various indigni-
ties. Young Tomson, at this juncture,
fired several shots from a revolver into
the air, the noise of which brought Aaron
Wismer out of his home. Just how 1t
happened, we know not, but during the
subsequent struggle young Tomson again
discharged his revolver, the contents this
time lodging in the right side Of Wismer,
making frightful and CHASTITY wound
and telling him to the ground. How far
Wismer is to blame we cannot say
Bridgeton parties have informed us that
he was innocent of any part in the attack
upon Tomson and his lady, aud that be
was simply endeavoring to quiet the ring
leader of the party when he was shot
down. Tomson was soon after arrested
and taken before Squire Schabinger,
where after hearing he was committed
to the county Jail at Doylestown, to await
the action of the next Grand Jury. Tom
son is well known to many of our people
as a quiet, industrious young man, of
good repute, and much sympathy is ex-
pressed for him by all who have heard of
the affair. Wismer, we are informed, is
a peaceful young man, and it seems a
great pity that the punishment for the
assault should have fallen upon him. His
wounds are serious, but we are informed
that he is resting easy at this writing.
The bali has not yet been extracted. Some
of the parties who engaged in the assault
upon young Tomson have left Bridgeton
to avoid arrest. but 1t is quite likely that
they will yet be caught and made to suf-
fer for their dastardly conduct. Milford
Leader.