Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-09-17

yuu son VI I'll, III Dury you before
get through with you.
Q.-How soon before the shooting was
this?
A-Two days.
Next saw Burns in front of the saloon
the day of the shooting, tJune "a Il
was just unlocking the door Burns said
You son of a b, you are trying TO get
warrant for me are you, are you, to have
me put under bonds Said Don talk
to me- or go along you dirty cur. y
He says What did you say
Il said you were dirty cur. That is
what you are.
He came back and thought he was
going TO strike me, but he went off.
then went to Judge Andrews and to
Lawyer Cornish's office. Had CONVERSE
ton with Andrews on the street Did
not see Mike during this talk. Then
started back to saloon. When witness got
| near Beale's store saw Mike coming 25 or
80 feet distant Witness said he. himself,
was walking along with his hands beside
him. We're not in his pockets
Mike said; You son of b,
you've got revolver in your pocket to
shoot me have you, and before could
say yes or no got two shots.
1t was just at the corner OF Beale'
door. Couldn't tell which shot hit him.
Z" l hauled around the door AS quick as
could and l heard the second shot "
Felt the current of the shot that scored
his left side.
Witness said after the first shot he
reeled around Bcalc's door to get away
He thought the second shot was fired
after he fell inside
Had conversation in the county Jail
with Burns. Witness said He told my
wife he would like to see me, so went
up with her
We shook hands as we met, Mike said
I'm sorry 1 said, so am l. He said
Harry, if I'd killed you Id have killed
myself that's all. He then said, We
both made dam fools of ourselves
didn' say anything to that,
Mike said he didn see Freddy at all
but that he did turn the revolver on him
self, but the dam thing wouldn't work
He wanted TO know if would oppose
lighter bail and l said had no objection
and thought the bail was excessive Mike
said III promise you if can get out of
this place nothing of the kind will occur
again and Ill never carry revolver
again. He used to carry revolver when
collecting money on the road, but not at
other times -
Witness had revolver six months ago,
which he got in way of trade for n watch
Put it In the show case for sale Mike
asked about 1t and suggested that they
give the revolver to the deputy marshal
Burns took the revolver away and witness
understood he gave it to Deputy Bachelor.
Witness stated he himself never carried
a revolver and had no other revolver than
the one described above
Cross Examination. MIR Heath, coun-
sci for Burns, first questioned witness
concerning the lawsuit with Burns re
specting his, witness guardianship of
Bridget Keating's property.
Burns and Mrs Sullivan were the
parties Directing to witness guardian
ship.
Hopkins said he knew that Burns was
left out of Mrs Keatings first will.
Thought Mike did not want any of the
property. The second will witness had
never seen and did not know whether
Burns was left out or not Burns did not
try, so far as he knew, to get any of the
property, but did object to him as guard
ian of it.
Witness was then cross examined on
the incidents at the time Burns came into
the saloon carrying his right hand in his
overcoat holding the coat a little of
from his side and keeping his hand in his
pocket Witness repeated the converse
ton. He was also asked several cues
tions as to distances
Hopkins said he never accused Michael
Burns of stealing money. Said he never
accused Mike Burns of a dishonest act in
his life. In reply to question said he did
not know that any member of his family
had accused Mike of stealing money from
the widow of James Conner. Learned
afterwards that the two receipts that Mike
searched the files for, that morning he
came into the saloon so excited, were for
this money that he had sent for the widow
Common.
When Mike came In that morning wit
ness was In the back shop When witness
came out he thought Mike had been
rummaging over the papers and asked
him what he wanted Then be detailed
the conversation practically the same as
on the direct.
Q.-DO you know that as q matter Of
fact those receipts were not ON the file
that morning.
Al know, sir that they were on the
file that very morning, and when Mike
looked for them. produced them from
it not two minutes after Mike left the
office. Witness said he threw the file
upon the counter and called the attention
of MIR. Brown and Mr.. Pease to the file
and showed them the receipts on the wire
file. Said they first put their receipts on
the Shannon file and then transferred
them on the wire file, Didn't know
which file Mike looked over The receipts |
were here shown and the places where |
the punctures made by the Shannon file |
were torn out
At the time Burns said he'd bury wit |
ness, Hopkins said he replied to Burns, |
II guess you will the way you've been !
treating me of late
On the morning of the shooting it was
about quarter of pine when Burns came |
down from his home and passed as wit /
ness, who was accompanied by his /
brother, was unlocking the saloon door.
Witness here repeated the conversation.
After witness said go along you dirty
cur, Burns stepped toward him with hts
hand drawn back IS II TO strike and asked
q" What" or 'What did you say Wit