The Portland daily press., 1892-10-06
M'KENNEY's SHOT.


Crotch Islandl Barely Escapes Trag-
edy.
There came near being tragedy Tues
day night on Crotch Island, which lies
down the bay about mile and a half
below Long Island. 1t is an island of
considerableisize with population of
go, enough to justify the city in main
tanning school, There is no regular
communication with the city, and there
fore it is really more remote than actual
distancein miles would indicate.
Samuel G. McKenney, man 81 years
of age, has been living there for about II
years with his wife, Emma Pettengill
McKenney. Mrs. McKenney who is only
26 years old, is comedy, well-appearing
young woman, and bears good reputa-
ton among the islanders. She eloped
with Mckinney when she was only IS
years old; he at that time being at work
for her mother and living in the same
house. They have one child, little
girl named Viola, born about year af-
ter their marriage.
The Mckinney family lived in the
same house with Mrs. McKenney's moth
er, Mrs. Pettengill A brother of Mrs,
McKenney, Geo. Pettengill also lives in
the house with wife. Another broth
en- John Pettengill. had lived near by;
but his house was recently burned. The
idea that he also might come to his
mothers to live seems to have troubled
McKenney, and may have aggravated his
tendency to morbid states of mind. For
he seems to be what is termed sscrank."
Heis a very religious man, participating
often in the island prayer meeting; and
from the farewells of his neighbors
when he came away yesterday seems to
have been well liked. But he has been
very uncomfortable in his family, and a
few years ago tlourished revolver al
together too carelessly.
Tuesday night he retired early, bidding
his wife kind good night and leaving
her sewing in the sitting room.
All the others had gone to bed, when
about o'clock she was surprised and
somewhat alarmed to see her husband
emerge from his room fully dressed. He
took chair and said: II can't stand
this any longer. What do you pro-
pose to do?" Although nota word had
been said about Johns coming home to
live, Mrs. McKenney says she supposed
that was what he referred to, and she
replied: II don't know, I'm sure. Pm
about discouraged, anyway It's hard
work to get a living, and you are not
helping much" Thereupon he said,
at the same time drawing revolver
from inside his coat, ''That will end it
all now"
Paralyzed with fear she forgot to cry
for help, but lodged round to escape
him. Pointing the pistol at her breast,
he said: Don't you dare to yip," at
the same time grasping her about the
waist. His words brought it to her
mind that she might call for help, and
she shouted "Murdern' at the top of her
lungs.
Her brother George, hearing the cry,
dashed down the stairs. George Petten-
gill, who came to the city yesterday
morning for the police, says, that as he
appeared, McKeuney threatened to shoot
him if he came nearer, at the same time
aiming the pistol at him. Pettengill
swerved a little, just as the pistol was
discharged. The bullet struck his throat
but in such glancing way that no vital
part was reached and no serious wound
was made, although the jugular vein was
missed only by a very little.
Pettengill at once seized McKenney,
and with his sisters aid overpowered
him.
Yesterday morning Deputy Marshal
Chase and Officer Skillings went to the
island, and arrested McKenney, who was
brought to the city and lodged in the
station.
.sYou are little cranky" said Mr..
Chase to the prisoner after arresting
him.
eyes, have been ever since had the
grippe was the reply.
1t is evident that he was cranky before
that, as he had before drawn revolver.
The officers think that if McKenney
had disabled George Pettengill he might
have then shot his wife, and perhaps
himself and others. This, however, is
only an inference from what he had
threatened. %
When interviewed after the arrest Nc
Kenney claimed to have no remembrance
of the shooting his head being in a con-
fused state, and says the first he knew he
was being handled roughly by George
Pettengill. Beyond this statement he
was reticent, reserving his statements for
the witness stand.
Express, Telegraph and Telephone Taxes
The State Assessors have assessed the
following taxes on express, telegraph and
telephone companies:
EXPRESS COMPANIES.
American. ...S 795.OO
Canadlan. ...-....s. AiS.Io