The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-10-04
TRIAL JUSTICE POWERS.
He Gives His Side of the Troubles in Bald
win Which Resulted in the Shooting.

Yesterday morning Justice Arthur Bowers
of Baldwin, was brought before Judge
Gould and the case continued until Friday.
Justice Bowers makes the following
statement: when went to Baldwin years
ago after having been in business in Boston
and Lowell, did not expect to stay only a
short time. I went there for the sake of
my mother who was then far advanced in
years, and who lived to be over 80 years.
'sSoon after l went there Twas astonished
to find that there existed in thestown a
state of petty lawlessness. There was no
one to senforce the law, and some of the
younger people seemed to think that they
could do about as they pleased. protested
and said to them: I am forced to obey
the laws, and that is all l ask you to do. )
This did not please them, and they did not
like it when accepted the position of trial
justice.
For one thing l objected to their shoot
ing at the sign boards, and cutting off the
finger posts making the signs useless, and
yet despite all this when we formed local
military company. l was chosen captain
without an opposing vote. s-@
When I first went to the place, took
with me as good saddle and bride as
could find, and bought me good horse.
INDUCED in good deal of horseback riding
for my health. and it may be that some of
the people got the idea that I felt myself
above them. never had such a thought,
but as told them I had right to choose
my own associates.
For more than two years was constant
ly insulted in every possible way. was
not allowedsto go to church, o: to the post
office, or.to town meeting without being
insulted. 1t at last reached such oondit-
ion of things that recently said.to one of
them when the same thing was renewed,
this has got to stop.
AS sue as. there is God I will stand this
no longer.':
Il met one of them who had been the
most active in abusing me, l was on lay
way to the post Office, riding on horseback.
had a belt about me. and a pistol strapped
40 it. and / showed him that was in con-
dition to defend myself. / said to him this
thing must stop.
''Now about this affair. Thursday last
was riding down to the post office when
saw ssThomes off in field. sWhen he saw
me he began to boot at me the way he had
Essn doing. l knew I was too far off to
hit him, and SO fired a pistol in his di-
rection. He didTnot try to get under cover
as they say was the case. He knew was
too far off to do him any harm. and SO he
shouted. shoot again if you dare.' and
then he hooted again. AS for Wally Wee
man, he did not rise up az all. He was pick
ing cranberries, and did nothing but look
at me-
Justice Bowers expressed the opinion that
the whole case will come out when he is
brought before Judge Gould Friday. He
says thatssome time ago he applied to Judge
Gould for a warrant for t he arrest of
man whoshad been making him the sub
ject of constant insult, but the judge re-
feIred him to Sheriff Cram, who has gem
eral charge of all county business, and who
applies for the warrants, and sends the
deputies to make the arrest. When asked
why he has been in the habit of going
armed Justice Bowers said he had been
threatened, and regarded his life as in
constant danoar