The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-09-26
The Trial Of an Interesting Case
Begun at Dover.
BRIEF OUTLINE or The TRAGEDY
Victim was Well Knows BY the spor ting
Fraternity Public Attention Again
Turned Towards New Hampshire In
What Eids Fair TO Ne Murder Trial.

DOVER. N. H., Sept 26-The case Of the
state OF New Hampshire against William
A. Levy Of Somersworth, charged with
manslaughter in the killing Of Hiram J.
Philpot at Somersworth on Feb. Q last.
was taken up in the supreme court before
Judge Wallace yesterday, aud while the
trial is likely to be brief, IL will arouse the
most intense interest throughout this sec
tion Of New Hampshire. and In the nearby
section Of Maine.
Phlpot was well known all along the
Piscataqua river and had great many
friends among seasaring aud sporting men.
Levy was equally well known throughout
the state as the proprietor Of the sherman
House In Somersworth, saloon and res
taurant which many men OF sporting pro-
clivities frequented.
The Tragedy ~
On the evening of Feb. Philpot entered
the saloon and ordered supper cooked, and
while 1t was being prepared he had several
drinks. Later he is said to have bothered
the cook, young woman. until Levy took
up the matter. Hard words followed, tho
men being on opposite sides of the bar.
Levy finally pulled a revolver from
drawer under the bar, and, taking quick
aim, fired at Philpot. The ball took effect
In the mans neck, and he expired In few
minutes. Levy was Immediately arrested,
and he was indicted for manslaughtsr.
On the plea of sickness he was allowed TO
go on bail. When the day set for the trial
came, Feb 81, his counsel claimed that he
was to i'll to appear, and the case was con-
tinued to this time.
The Trial.
Immediately upon the coming In Of
court yesterday, by agreement Of counsel,
the jurors drawn from Somersworth and
Rollinsford were excused. The work OF
Citing jury then began and consumed
the balance of the forenoon.
After the Jury had been drawn. Judge
Wallace gave the usual admonitions, and
the ~ men then left for Somersworth to
view the scene Of the shooting.
The jury returned from Somersworth at
o'clock, and County Solicitor Mason out
lined the case for the state.
TorvIe's Testimony.
Frank Towle. the first witness, testified
that he left Dover with Philpot Feb 8. and
visited several places where they had
drinks. Stopped that night In Darlington.
Got back to Levy's the night Of Feb. Q.
Went in about $780, Philpot paid for
drinks twice for the crowd and ordered
steak suppers The girl was cooking them
when Philpot went into the kitchen. but
the girl ordered him out He came out,
but went back, and Levy ordered him
out; he came out again and had some
words with Levy, saying; II don't care
- for her or you, Dolph." Levy said;
81 don't care - for you either" Phil
pot reached to strike Levy, who opened q
drawer, pulled out revolver. put it to
Philpot's neck and fred. He then came
from behind the counter, saying; Poor
Hippy, didn't know 1t was cooked" Phil
pot stood beside the counter when went
for DR. Newcomb; when I came back Phil
pot had fallen to the floor dead.
Frank L. Junkins of Berwick, Me-, cor
roborated Towle's story rs to the trouble
and shooting, and court was then adj
iourned