The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-06-04
THE BULLET JUST GRAzED HIS HEAD.
An Eccentric Individual on the War
Path at StIckney's Corner.
Deputy Sheriff Flanders Slightly
Wounded by a Pistol Ball.
His AssaiIant Armed With Two
RevoIvers Defled Arrest.
Especial to the Press ]

RocKLAND, June 3.-About two miles
from Washington village is small collec-
tion of houses known as Stickney's Corner.
and here it was that yesterday occurred
shooting affray, which came near ending in
a double murder and which caused the great
est excitement In the otherwise quiet little
village. About 7.3O o'clock in the morning,
as Deputy Sheriff c. Ross Flanders, who is
also postmaster at Stickney's Corner was
standing on the platform in front Of his
place Of business conversing with Lawyer
l.. M. Staples of that place, man by the
name of Hilton B. Wright came out Of his
house some distance down the street and
walked toward the store. When within
about ten feet of the platform, he stopped
and had few words with Flanders, after
which he drew 32-calibre revolver from his
pocket and with an oath fired at Flanders,
the bullet elancing along the top of his head
infiicting slight scalp wound, and entering
the side of the store. Flanders turned
quickly and eDtered the store with the in
tention OF getting his revolver. but his wife
and daughter who were within at the time
pleaded with him and persuaded him not to-
In the meantime the excitement outside was
on the increase Immediately after the
bullet was fred Staples saw Flanders put
his hand to his head and started down the
had been shot. Wright, taking another
revolver from his pocket pursued him say
ing, "Yes, and will shoot that id rascal
to0." He fired once and the bullet passed
through the back of the carriage just grazing
the clothing of Staples. After doing this he
retired to his house, where he locked him
self in refusing any one admlttance. The
cause of this extraordinary conduct was ex-
planned as follows.
1t seems that Wright had run in debt to
Flanders to the extent CT about S25 for
groceries and the latter had after wa iting
long time sued him, Lawyer Staples doing
the work. Wright had said he would pay
the debt in six months, but more than that
time passed, and Flanders recently announc-
ed his intention of putting his threat into ex-
ecution, whereupon hot words were exchaDg
ed. Wright has several times said openly
that he would shoot Flanders, and he did.
Wright is man about 50 years of age. He
has in times past been town clerk. and at
present is justice Of the peace. He also
draws a pension, which mainly supports
him, as he never does any labor to speak of.
He Is looked on with very little respect by
the towspeople. His actions are very eccen-
tric, and it is claimed by some that he Is
partly insane. Once he locked himself in
his house, refusing to see any one for some
time. Both of the assaulted parties are re-
spected citizens. Lawyer Staples was forced
to 60 at once to Wiscasset where he had bus
ness which could not be delayed. Flanders
at once wired for Sheriff w. S. Irish of this
city to come there, and swhen the writer re-
turned he.waS on his way. Wright threatens
to shoot the first man who attempts to arrest
him, and unless some strategy is adopted
NAV do some HARM