Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-03-07
TROY'S TRAGEDY.
Democrats Add Murder to Their
Election Frauds.
Gang Of ReeIers and Repeaters Empty
RevoIvers Into Crowd.
One Man Killed While Lying Senseless by
CowardIy Assassin.

Troy, n. Y, March 6.-Never has Troy
witnessed more exciting municipal cleo
ton than that which took place today. AT
noon one young Republican was murdered
and another seriously wounded. Tonight
| the streets are crowded with excited throngs.
Robert and William Ross were among the
citizens who gathered at the polls in thu
| third district of the 18th ward to see that
the election was not violated. The voting
had been spirited at this district, and not
until the appearance of gang of repeaters
was there ripple of excitement.
A man who had no right to cast vote
presented bimself at the polls and demanded
ballots. Republicans who challenged him
we're elected and the man was afterTard
pushed into the street by other Republi-
cans. Then bullets flew through the air
and four men we're struck. Prominent
among the fighters were Bat Shea, John
McGough and Jerry Cleary. They drew
pistols and so did others in the crowd.
Bystanders say that Robert Ross was
knocked down with a club and while he was
lying with his face down an assassin sent a
bullet into his brain, causing almost in
stant death. William Ross, the murdered
mans brother, was shot in the neck andshis
condition is critical. "Bat'' Shea was
slightly wounded, the bullet having caused
a scalp wound. A fourth man was shot
and it is reported tonight that he is John
McGough. Shea was taken to a saloon
where his injuries were dressed. He is be-
ing closely watched and will probably be
arrested.
John II. Boland, a prominent and re-
spected citizen, was arrested late this after
noon on charge of being implicated. JUS
tice Furman refused to take bail and Boland
was remanded to Jail. 1t is believed that
Boland'S arrest is an effort to shift the re-
possibility from those on whom it right,
belongs. Before surrendering to the police
Boland made the following statement:
"ImpIessed with the duty of every citizen
10 do his all toward securing an honest vote
and fair count, and wishing to see the
law upheld, l was at the polling place in
ny district all the morning. During the
morning word came that the most fragrant
outrages were being enacted in the
first and second districts of the
ward. Repeaters were said to be
be operating in these districts almost with
out molestation, and when the Dem, ,cratc
heelers began to arrive the respectable ele-
ment was on the alert to prevent fraud.
"At noon Shea, John McGough, Jerry
Cleary, and one or two others went into the
polling place with repeater, and watcher
followed into the polling place and made
protest against the fellows voting. Nc
Cough, Shea and followers forced the
crowd back. McGough drew a revolver
and ordered the crowd to stand back. Shea
and Cleary did the same and all three be-
gan firing.
"Robert Ross was struck under the ear.
He never uttered a word after he was shot.
He was carried into a residence near by and
expired before medical aid could be pro-
cured. William Ross, seeing his brother
Frustrated by bullet, rushed to his rescue
Before he could reach his brothers side, he
too was shot in the neck, close to the head,
from behind, and fell to the ground. John
Ross, another brother, hastened to the res
cue. The trouble originated and the fight
was precipitated by John MoGough, Il
Democratic heeier, drawing a revolver and
ordering the crowd to stand back, and the
firing by Shea and Cleary, who Joined Nc
Cough.
1.-The firing was fast and furious for
few moments, and it is wonder that
others were not injured. After the shoot
ing McGough went over toward North
Fourth street and disappeared through
gangwsy leading to that street from the
vacant lot where the shooting took place.
After McGough disappeared through the
gangway all trace of him was lost. 1 saw
McGough empty bi, revolver into the
crowd, and believing that he killed my
friend Ross, followed him with others
and endeavored to effect his capture
John Ross said this evening: "It was a
deliberate murder and it was premediated.
Only shot time before the shooting Sues
struck my brotl or William full in the face.
| dragged my brother away, but did not
think then there would be shooting"
The Ross boys took an active part in the
recent movement in the 18th ward for pure
elections. When the Republican caucus
was held in that ward and trouble ensued,
the dead man was one of the many who de-
manded fair play. One of the Ross
brothers was assaulted at that tinre.
Bat Shea is the man accused of disap-
pearing with the ballot box at the regular
Republican caucus in the 18th ward. Nc
Cough, it is said, was the man who first
drew pistol at that caucus.
An eyewitness says the man who muir
dered Robert Ross was bat" Shea. Shea
was arrested this evening charged with
murder. His injuries are slight.
Returns from all the districts show that
Molloy, the regular Democratic candidate
for mayor, has a plurality Of 52S. 1t is
likely a contest will be made by Mayor
Whelan on the ground of fraud.