The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-10-06
THAT BIG BALDWIN APPLE.
When it Fell it Made Great Uproar
in the Land.

in the Land.
The Case of Trial Justice Bowers Was
Heard Before Judge Gould Yesterday
The Baldwin Neighbors Testify
Bowers Bound Over to 1.-THE Grand
Jury.
In the Municipal Court Friday was
brought up the unusual case caused in
Baldwin by the innocent falling of an
apple upon the head of William Themes.
Few apples have ever made SO much
noise in falling. Trial Justice Bowers
says it is all CANNON about the apple.
that it did not fall at all, and that
Themes did not utter big "Oh", but a
regular rebel yell. 1t is probable that
the truth in this important particular
will never be known beyond question.
Assistant County Attorney Webb ap-
peared yesterday morning for the State.
and Carroll W. Morrill,, ESQ.,, appeared
for Trial Justice Bowers. The latter is a
borther of the late Railroad Commission
er Bowers, and good appearing man.
He gave his testimony in quiet way.
William Themes, the complainant,
testified that on Saturday he was at work
in the field OF Mr.. Elbridge Noble pick ing
apples. While reaching up with the
ladder to knock off a high apple the
apple fell and hit him on the head so
hard that he made loud exclamation.
1t seems that Mr.. Bowers was passing,
and the next instant witness heard him
shout:
You nasty skunk, l will put bullet
through you." When Mr.. Bowers said
that he was in front of Mr.. Mobiles
house, about 125 yards away. I said
that,I was not talking to him. He then
repeated his threat and fred Then he
started his horse at full speed along the
road until he, came to the point where
he was within hundred yards of the
witness and was about to fire again,
when he saw Mr.. Weeman. Then Bowers
said to the witness: IF you will step
this way l will put a bullet through
you. I will see you again when you are
not in an apple tree. !"
One time about two years and half
ago the witness met Bowers, and the
latter half drew pistol and threatened
to shoot him.
Witness said on cross examination that
he did not see Bowers shoot and could
not tell where he aimed. There was
considerable conversation while Bowers
was moving along the road, be saying:
"Yod have sassed me for three years.
and the witness denying it. Finally,
as he moved off Bowers said, sIf you
put me in Jail will put you ill.,"
Byron e. G.. Noble, the young man who
was in his fathers field picking apples
with Themes at the time of the shoot
ing, was next called. He heard the talk
and the report of the pistol. He was
on ladder in the tree, the branches be-
ing between him the road so that proba-
bly, one from the road could not have
recognized him.
On cross examination the witness adj
mitted that he had had trouble with
Bowers, having punished him for draw
ing pistol.
Mr.. Morrill, attempted to find out W heth-
er the witness had ever insulted Bowers.
but this line of inquiry was ruled out
because the witness was not the person
assaulted.
Wallace E. Weman, who was picking
cranberries near where Mr.. Bowers was.
testified that he first saw Bowers when
the latter was watering his horse at
Elbridge Noblse'. He L card Themes
shout "Oh" when the apple fell. heard
Bowers shout something about skunk
heard the shot and saw Bowers's horse
run down the road. When the horse
stopped Bowers was near the witness and
the latter said that he "ris upn when he
saw Bowers point the pistol again.
Thereupon Bowers put down the pistol
saying to Themes that he would see him
again when he was not in an apple tree.
Thomas Bentford, Of Baldwin. an
elderly man, testified that after the
affair he heard much talk about it. and