The Portland daily press., 1890-01-13
SHOT AT A FAIR.
Decision in Court that the Managers
are Responsible.

Especial to the Press.l
MACHIAs, January ia case of consid-
cradle interest to the people of this county
was decided in the Supreme Court yesterday.
The suit was brought by Isaac l.. Leighton
against the West Washington Agricultural
Society to recover $4,000 damages for person.
al injuries claimed to have been sustained by
reason of the improper use of q target rifle
upon the fair grounds at the fair held at
Cherryfield In September, 1887.
The plaintiff introduced evidence to show
that one Bowles applied to the directors of
the society the day. previous to the fair for
permission for his boy, lad of Is, to erect a
target upon the grounds for target shooting
during the far; that the permission was
granted; that the target was erected, being
upon piece of board Is or 16 inches wide
and standing about three feet from the
ground. and being in position to bring
within range the people passing and repass-
ing % or 80 yards beyond that while plain
scious of the shooting or that he was within
range, a shot from % calibre Flobert rifle
missed the target and struck the plaintiff in
the back of the right leg, about one inch and
half above the knee, inficting a painful In
jury. The ball was probed for. but was not
found. The plaintiff claimed that the wound
disabled him for long time and caused a
permanent weakness of the limb.
The defense introduced testimony to show
that Bowles did apply to the directors for
Bowles had stated, but that they told him to
send the boy to them in the emorning with
his gun, when they would decide; that the
boy did not appear, and that they never
granted him permission to take bis rifle upon
the grounds. The chief of police testified
that about two hours before the shooting he
discovered the boy with hi, target placed at
the side Of the hall and the rifle in use by
some young men standing by; that observing
people passing between the target and the
rifle, and noticing the kind Of rifle peing
used he at once ordered the boy to take down
his target and not set it up again; that the
target was removed, and he saw no more of
the boy
The plaintiff claimed that it was through
the carelessness and negligence of the Off
for the safety Of its patrons that the accident
occurred. The defendants, on the other
band, contended that having never granted
permission for the use of the rifle upon the
grounds, and having Immediately ordered its
removal as soon as discovered, with no
knowledge of its use there afterwards, they
could in no way be deemed guilty Of negli-
gence.
The jury, after being out about two hours
m and half. returned a verdict for the plain
The grand jury finished and reported Fri
day evening seven bills, as follows;
William Walker, assault on officer; tried, YER
dict gui ty; 6u days in Jail.
James E. Kelly of Vanceboro, assault with in
tent to ravlsh, continued for the April term at
Calais.
Rodney Emery and four Others. burg ary Emery
quilted.
Alexander B. Mattatal liquor nuisance
The grand jury found more business than
It anticipated, and will adjourn Tuesday or
Wednesday.
York County Indictments.
BIDDEFoRD, January 1.-THE grand jury
for York county finished deliberations today
and reported six indictments. The four made
public are:
State against Charles Melville of Limerick, for
breaking and entering.
State against Stephen Travers of Biddeford. as
Sault on officer.
State against James Harvey of Biddeford, as.
sault.
State AGAINST Peter Eeeley of Riddeinrd lar.