Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-06-10
HAS SIMPLY RUN AWAY
Farmer Gerrish's Opinion Concerning
Benjamin HOFFMAN.
The Lad Has Been Missing
(, Since May 20.
Employer Admits Having HorsswhIppsd MIN
Upon One Occasion.

LEBANON, Me-, June 10.--The people Of
Lebanon have another mystery to solve In
the disappearance, just four weeks ago
last night, Sf Benjamin HOFFMAN, . II
ycar-old boy, from the home Of a farmer
named James Gerrish. Friday and Satur-
day ugly rumors were afloat to the effect
that the boys body had been found In the
woods in the rear Of the Gerrish farm
buildings, but this proved to be false on
investigation by reporter.
Yesterday reporter called at the home
Of Farmer Gerrish, but found that he was
absent. Mrs. Gerrish showed q letter
from the boys guardian, Frank Schirmer,
of Boston, to Mr.. Gerrish, In which he
stated that ne had seen nothing OF the
missing lad, and advised that the town
authorities be notified.
Mrs. Gerrish said that she thought the
boy had simply run away. They had
written to his relatives and to his guard
Ian, but none OF them had seen or heard Of
him. The fact that the boy had disap-
psared, Mrs. Gerrish said, was discovered
by Mr.. Gerrish on the morning Of May 20.
Mrs Gerrish stated that Mr.. Gerrish had
deposited sum Of money In the 6Omers-
worth bank for the boy, and that the boy
had
Taken with Him This Bankbook.
The reporter asked IL the bank had been
communicated with, TO which she replied
that 1t had not She said that they had
written to the boys aunt, Mrs. Frank
Place of North Berwick, but found that he
had not been there.
Mr.. Gerrish drove into the yard, and was
questioned by the reporter. On being told
of the rumors to the effect that he had
ill-treated the boy, he said that once, and
only once Qast fall, In haying time), he
had horsewhipped the boy for disobedi
ence. He said that the boy had simply run
away, that he had twice run away from
the Home for Little Wanderers In Boston,
apd the second time he was sent to him by
Mr. Schirmer.
The reporter saw Mrs. Place of North
Berwick. She says the boy complained to
her of ill-treatment by Gerrish, and she
told him to come to her home, but she had
not seen him. This was short time be-
fore the boy ran away. The reporter
called on the cashiers of all three banks in
6omersworth; none Of them remembered
Gcrrish ever depositing money for the
HOFFMAN boy. The boy had not been near
any Of the banks. II any deposit was made
Il was at the Somersworth Savings bank,
and there the time lock was on.
Struck BY Bottle
LYNN, June 10.-Ths fatal assault case
which occurred here Saturday, In which
John II. Hennessey was killed by bottle
In the hands Of Edward II. Belcher, has
caused no end Of comment, and the sad
affair Is the talk of the city. Both were
members Of Saugus lodge, Knights Of
Pythias, and Belcher was prominently
identified with many other fraternal or
ganisations. Hennessey was Catholic,
and took exceptions to q statement made
by Belcher, who Is q nom Catholic, about
his religious belief. AS the discussion was
continued, personalities began to domin-
ate, and in the heat of tho dispute Belcher
dealt his victim a blow that caused his
death. Belcher's bond has been placed at
$4,000, and he will be arraigned tomorrow
on the charge Of manslaughter.
Dead Comrades Memories Honored.
in June is the day set apart by the veteran
firemen in many cities in this state for the
observance Of Firemens Memorial day.
ate services, and the graves Of their de-
ceased comrades were strewn with flowers.
Beautiful weather greeted the veterans,
and their number were augmented by sew
eral hundred friends of the parading COM
panies and the friends and relatives of the
deceased firemen, who were interested
spectators Of the exercises in the ceme-
teries.
-
Learned Mills Burned.
NORTHAMPTON, June 10.-The John M.
Learned Silk mills were totally DESTROYED
by fire last evening. The only building
saved was the brick one, In which was the
company's safe. The origin OF the fire Is
not known, but the flames were first seen
in the vicinity of the boiler house by the
night watchman. The buildings being
wooden, the structures burned like tinder.
Strikers Shut Out
NORTH BILLERICA, Mass, June TO-
A notice has been posted at the Talbot
mills here stating that the works will be
closed until further notice. II also an
nounces the discharge Of all employees who
Joined In the strike, stating that only in
Uviduals would be considered In the efforts
Of the company to secure q new working
force for the mills.
Fatal Elevator Accidents.
BOSTON, June 10.-Ottario Pazzi, while
working In building at 10 Chardon
street, was instantly killed by an elevator
car descending and crushing his head.
Thomas j. Sullivan lost his life by failing
down an elevator we'll at 1ls2 fremont
Strect. Sullivan thought hs was stopping
intb the elevator buN<fha car WA nm An.
ether floor
Katie and Revolver.
BOSTON, June 10.-Basquaera Cardiff, 81
years old, and John Domacello, 30 years
old en0aced In q FREQ Aaht last ni1ht and