Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1893-11-03
PoRTLAND,s EXCITING TIME.

e.
| 1t was go ordered.
PoRTLAND's EXCITING TIME.
Held seIectmen at BAY With a Dou-
ble-Barrelled shotsun-A Wealthy
Brooklyn Mans Exploits.
PORTLAND, Nov. al. J. White. the
wealthy Brooklyn man who but few days
ago brought suit for $25, 900 against the
selectmen of this town, was the central fg-
ure this morning in one of the most s1cIt-
ing affairs that has occurred In Portland
for some time. For nearly an hour this
morning Mr.. White held the selectmen and
other town officers at bay with a double
barrel shotgun. The trouble grows out
of numerous suits between the town and
Mr.. White over a street which has been cut
through his property, and might have re-
suited in murder this morning had it not
been for the clever work of a quick witted
policeman. Some time ago the town voted
to cut street, to be known as Fairview
street, through Mr.. Whites property. He
objected strenuously, but in spite of his
objections the selectmen had the street laid
out. BE has several times erected a fence
ACROSS 1t and otherwise obstructed the
highway, but each time the distractions
have been removed, and for some time he
has not annoyed the town officers.
A few days ago he brought suit against
the selectmen for s25, 900, alleging that the
selectmen hso conspired against him in
order to get the street through his land
He has been in Brooklyn, his place of bust
ness, for some time past, but came up to
Portland yesterday. LAST night he had
another obstructionist fit and erected a
strong bsrbed wire fence across Fairview
street and threatened to defend 1t against
all corners. 1t is thought that he was on
guard most of the night. for when Henry
Smith. telegraph operator, went to his
house early this morning with a message,
and climbed over the bsrbsd wire fence to
approach the house, he was greeted warm
ly by White, who fred a shot gun at him.
The charge did not take effect, but as
White threatened to continue hostilities
Smith returned to town and this forenoon
notified the selectmen and authorities.
The seleotmen went to Whites house in
body, accompanied by policemen and a
large crowd. They found White at the
barbed wire fence armed with q double
barrel shotgun. He had the drop on the
crowd, and announced that he would kill
the hrst man who attempted to step forward
to capture the fence or himsslf. The Sc
lectmen attempted to arbitrste, but White
was obdurate and for nearly an hour they
stood there and discussed the situation.
Officer Hayes then managed to make his
way to Whites rear unobserved, aud COW
ering him with revolver, threatened to
blow his brains out unless he lowered the
shotgun, and give up the fence.
Believing that the officer was In
earnest and that his life was in danger,
White agreed to surrender. He went
into the house and the fence was torn
down by order of the selectmen. An at
tempt was made to arrest Mr.. White, but
he succeeded in getting to the depot, where
he took the train for his Brooklyn home
The police hoped to capture him at New
Haven, but he managed to clip through the
hands of the officers there and 1t lie sup
posed that he is now in Brooklyn. The
affair has created great excitement and fur
Their interesting developments are looked
for.