Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-10-01
STATE VS. BUNKER.
Commencement Of the Trial Of Benjamin
Bunker for Assault and Battery on
Deputy Sheriff Hill, at Waterville
June 81. 1889.

At As yesterday afternoon, the Superior
Court now in session took up the criminal
docket again, and commenced the trial of the
case of State VS.. Bunker.
County Attorney Carleton opened the case
for the State by reading the statutes of the
State covering the crime of assault and bat
terry. He touched upon tie duties of all
officers in enforcing the prohibitory Law, in
searching for liquor kept for unIawful sale,
and in seizing liquor In transit when intended
to be illegally sold He said Mr.. Hill has
been accustomed to look after violations of
the prohibiiory law and has been very eific-
lent. 1t has been his custom to vi sit trains
coming into Wsterville especially from the
West. and look over stuff, and # there were
packages of liquor intended for illegal sale
10 seize it He has done this many times.
Some time prior to the 27th of June he had
some conversation with City Marshal Bunker
and the latter said no need of both coming to
the trains Bunker sugges sted he should at
and forenoon and Hill afternoon trains. In
this suggestion Hill acquiesced. On the day
in question. June 27, Hill went up 10 the de-
20, in the afternoon, as was his custom, went
to the door of the express car and to his sur
prise City Marshal Bunker was there and
took the first box that was passed out, saying
"I'Il take this" Hill took the second box
and with an oath Bunker says, "You can't
have that" Hill turued il over and Bunker
with an oath grabbed Hill and pushed him
backward upon the platform with the box
upon him. The Deputy Marshal took the
box and Mr.. Hin got up when Mr.. Bunker
again seized him and threw him backward
upon the step most violently. Hill offered
NJ d se-cg c. sileri1z the iafaria.el c5n H.
was there in the performance of his duty and
| think you will find it was a most unpro-
woke l. uncslled for, aggravated and brutal
assault BY Mr.. Bunker on Mr.. Hill. No
words had passed between them and Mr..
Hill <as taken by surprise.
Witnesses Messrs Hill, Graves, Mesder
and Reynold. were then called and srorn.
Mr.. Hill was first called to the stand. Nv
4 iame 10 James +. Hill. have been deputy
sheriff for 90 years Was in waterville on
/ the 9th day Of JBre. | am G3 years old.
I went up to the passenger train a. have
been in the habit Of doing for number Of
| YEAR, a. about +30 in the afternoon, to the
f. train coming from Boston BY way Of Lewiston
More or less liquor comes on these trains.
Large number of liquor boxe. sousetiues
come. Az the train came in they moved the
truck up 70 the door, took out the boxes and
piled them on the truck. / came up TO the
truck With Mr.. Crowell, deputy sheriff on
my left md City Marshal Bunker at the other
end of the truck The first boz that val
handed cut to Jesse Simpson by the express
messenger ia. taken by Bunker With the
words. ''Ill take that box, jesse Another
box vas handed dopn which took Mr.
Bur ksr also attempted to take the box, say
ing, Hold on. by c., / got my hands Of
! fbat box first He then showed me back
. ripped and vent backward, the box on 10,
Of me- II hurt me but got up, vhel
, Bunker said, Nov. Jim, keep away. b