Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-08-20
DREW HIS REVOLVER.
J. H. Kittredge and c. E. Cornforth
Have an Encounter.
Kittrsdge To Furnish 5000 Bonds and Al.
pear Before Grand Jury.


Saturday morning, at 1870, the like of
which has not been tried for many months
1t was a revelation of what might be
seen in the West, more likely along
the frontier of Mexico. Firearms
played most prominent part in the
proceedings and hoe and hammer were
also used. No one was badly hurt, but it
seemed evident that anger and fear were
conspicuous features Of the ARRAY.
The story is not a long one, but excep-
tionally interesting. John H. Kittredge's
boy was told by his father to go over to the
ledge on the rife range and dig out the
bullets, giving the boy a shot bag
and a small hoe. BY going over to
the ledge to get the bullets, which
had been fired into the bank while
the shooting was in progress on the
muster field, the boy would cross the field
of c.. f. Cornforth, who owns farm oppo-
site the muster grounds.
1t was about 130 p. M. when the boy
started across the field, Friday and Mr..
Cornforth saw him. Mr.. Cornforth said in
the court that he had been instructed not to
allow any boys near the ledge, as trouble
might be the result. When he saw the
boy he called to him. but got no answer.
The boy stopped when Mr.. Cornforth got
near to him and refused to leave
the field. He said he asked the boy what
he wanted and the answer was "none of
your - business" He told the boy to
get off the field or he would help him and
still he refused. He had hoe in his hand
which he threatened to use on Mr.. Corn
forth who then took hold of the
lad of about a dozen years and
marched him out Of the field. The boy
said, as Mr.. Cornforth left him Father will
fix you"
His father had been in the woods hunting
for woodchucks and when he returned
the boy showed him his bruised
arm where Mr.. Cornforth had taken
hold of him when he assisted him out
of the field. Mr.. Kittredge told his
wife that that was no way to use the boy
and that he knew Of no reason why he
wasn't allowed to cross the field. He said
he would 60 over and see Mr.. Cornforth,
which be did Friday evening at G o'clock.
When Mr.. Kittredge went into the yard
he said that he addressed Mr.. Cornforth by
asking him if he considered that he didn't
treat the boy little rough and Mr.. Corn
forth answered swell, what if / did,
After little conversation about the
matter Cornforth ordered Kttredge out
of the yard Cornforth had hammer in
his hand and threatened to hit Kittredge
with it, The latter drew a revolver and
then knocked the hammer from Cornforth's
hand. BY this time the loud talk
had attracted the attention Of those inside
the house. Harry b. Robinson, Corn
forth's brother-in-law, looked out Of the
window and saw Kittredge standing
about two feet from Cornforth with
drawn revolver, pointing toward
Mr.. Cornforth's head. His wife, Mr.. Corn
forths sister, had noticed what was going
on about the same time and rushed out.
Mr.. Robinson went into the kitchen pro-
cured the shot gun, went to the door, cooked
it, and directed the barrel toward Mr..
Kittredge, whom he ordered to leave the
premises. Mr.. Kittredge began to slowly
start for the road. Mr.. Cornforth then
took the shot gun and followed Mr.. Kit
tredge down to the road. The latter testi-
fed that Mr.. Cornforth threatened to shoot
him. ..
When the road was reached Mr.. Kit
tredge again drew the revolver and made
threats, but was overcome by two members
of the Calais company of the National
Guards and relieved Of his revolver. Kit
tredgee son testified in the court, Saturday,
that he was roughly handled, while Isaac
May, who works for Cornforth, and saw the
trouble with the boy, said that he was not
roughly treated. The hearing lasted but
short time and the judge required Kittredge
to appear before the grand jury and furn-
ish 5000 bonds to keep the peace.
go AAA