Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-03-16
SHEA'S DEATH WARRANT
Seems to Appear in the les imony Of
John Ross,
WAC Tesiiiies That He Saw SHEA Shoot Vim.
Ross a. Trey, N. 7.

Troy, n. Y, March i5.-The l3quest In
the case of Robert Ross, murdered at the
polls on election day, commenced this after
noon at the court house, before Coroner
Collins. Several doctors testified TO the
wounds received by tie murdered man,
Bat Shea. and McGough.
John Ross, brother of the dead man, tes-
tiled that he Was an inspector at the so
called Republican caucus in the 18th ward.
Feb. 3. lie was secretary of the board OF
inspectors, John II. Boland and john Me.
Cor "a were inspectors and Hancock anc
Daniop were candidates. Witnesses SAID IL
was evident that men were voting who were
rot entitled to 90 so. William and Robert
Ross objected to illegal votes being depos-
tied and a fight ensued.
McGough struck Beland ard then drew
revolver, threats ning to shoot Boiand
Witness grabbed McGough and forced him
back Hearing breaking OF wlndo"
g'sss, witness looked around and saw
man, whom he afterwards identlhed as
Bat Shea. coming from the rear.
An attempt was made to stop the lntru-
der, WHIP drew revolver and held II
against the bead of one inspector, saying
an shoot the (foul name).' witness
cried, For G dis sake, don't shoot mar
lik, that"
Witness went to tie polling place at A.
NJ. Robert and William Rose and John H.
Bolano, all residents of the 18th ward, ap-
p ared about the same tine. The only pc
lie, man present on duty wss Special Ofhcei
Murphy. Officer Kane was present out dlo
not 8. enl to be en- duty. Up TO 10 there had
been no trouble at the polling place. Then
Shea, MuGough, Cleary and kefe ap-
reared. Shea started the trouble by str'k-
irg VIM Ross Later the gang went away.
Teen Officer Kane said that as things were
quiet, lie thought he would go and get
something TO eat He went away.
At noon Cleary, Keefe. McGough and
Shea came back TO the polling place. Later
men, whom the witness could not IDENTIFY,
marched into the polling place, despite the
protest, made. llSyney was struck by
Shea, and witness saw McGou2h strike
william R.ss. The crowd swept out into
the strs ct
MEG 3ugh was the first to draw revol-
yer. When John first saw Robert Ros'
after coming ont of the crogc. Robert W as
hol ling to the hand Of Shea with whom he
was struggling. She's III Ia pistol in h's
hand. John was struggling towar. Robert,
when the latter fell as if his ankle had given
ont. v itness WAS about six feet from Shea,
when the latter fred his pis. oil and contin-
u, d to fire, before witness reached Robert
Witness swore positively that he saw
"Bat' Shea shoot Robert r So, while the
latter WAS PROSTATE on the ground. Shea
vas a. the time about four feet from Robert.
When John got to Rooert, he lifted the
ttter's head in hi. lap and said: 'lf yon
are American citizens. catch that man,
meauing Shea. The first man to reach
Robert after John. was John III. Boland.
Mr.. Ross testified that neither he nor his
brothers bad firearms at the polling place
Witness could not say whether Mr.. Bo!and
had a revolver. Mr. Ross testified that he
never before had been assaulted in poll
ing place, but hi, brother had heen assault d
before at The polling place in the 18th warj.