Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-11-30
A YOUNG BRUTE,
Williams Pleads Guilty to As
sauIting Joseph Stevens.
Unable to Secure $4,000 Bonds and
Is Taken to Auburn Jail.
Stevens Has Chance for Recovery Williams
Shows No Repentance.

Bath, Nov. 20 -(Specia). frank Will
liams, the young man arrested for assault
Ing Joseph Stevens at Five Islands, the
}evening Of Nov. 49, beating him with a
club until he was insensble. and robbing
him of pocketbook containing about 80,
was brought before Judge Coombs of the
Bath municipal court, today, and pleaded
guilty to the Indictment He was placed
under $4,000 bonds, and, failing to procure
bail, was taken by City Marshal Kittredge
| to Auburn jail
Williams was brought to Bath, Wednes-
| day, by H. G. Rowe and John l.. Berry,
who arrested him at Five Islands, that
morning. Georgetown people took great
interest in the trial, quite number com
| ing up on the boat this morning, to at
| tend the trial Among them were Will
| liams'i father and brother and Lendal
Mains and wife, the latter sister of Will
liams.
The details of the outrage are as follows
Tuesday, Mr. Stevens, who does consider
able business, in raising poultry, took a
large lot of turkeys in an oxcart, 2 q miles
to connect with the boat, and went on to
Bath with his merchandise. 1t is evident
that Williams, who was visiting near
where Mr.. Stevens put up his oxen, was
aware of Mr.. Stevens erraud to town and
the probability that he would bring money
home with him. But Mr. Stevens de-
posted his turkey money in the bank be-
fore returning. He had, however, in his
hurry to get away from home, that morn
ing, worn two vests, and in the inside
pocket of the inner one was pocketbook
containing $50. This the robber or rob-
bers overlooked in searching him.
1t was dusk when Mr.. Stevens on his
return got to Mrs. J. X. Lewis, where he
left his oxen, that morning. Mains, who is
brother in law of Williams, and bears a
not altogether savory reputation, was
working that day for Mrs. Lewis. His
home is on the road Stevens took on his
way home. Mains left Mrs. Lewis at
the time Stevens did, but went across lots.
1t was little beyond Mains house in
stretch of woods that Stevens was as
saulted. He was riding on the cart tongue
at the time. aud was struck with IA heavy
club being taken wholly unawares, and
knocked off the tongue, the cart passing
over q part of his body. He partially re-
covered consciousness and remarked, as he
felt some one searching his pockets, "This
is is pretty way to use an old man like
me- He was then hit again and knocked
senscless.
When he recovered consciousness he
started to crawl on his hands and knees
till he came in view of the light in Mains
house, when fearing to pass the house, he
went around until he reached the house of
Mrs. II. NJ. Hagan, where he obtained ad-
[mittance. 1t was g. 30 z. M. when he ar
rived there He presented a pitiablc
spectacle, the blood running from gashes
i'm his head having covered as much of
his clothes as were not covered with mud,
for a heavy rain was falling.
When the news of the dastardly outrage
spread. the people were aroused to a high
pitch of Indignation. Mr.. Stevens is
man about 81 years old and bears and
excellent character and is we'll liked by all.
Dr. Kingsbury was immediately called an
dressed the wounds II. 6. Rowe, one of
the selcctmcn and constable, was notified.
He went to Hagan aud after obtaining
all the information he could, made ar
rangements for hunting down the guilty
parties. Suspicion rested at first on Mains,
and John L. Berry was sent to search his
house. while Others searched the woods In
the morning, to find n clue if possible. W.
b. Todd was sent to Bath to watch the
steamers. The prompt efforts taken de
serve commentator.
After Mains had been closely ques-
toned he said it was Carnes or Williams
that did the deed. Williams was found
and confessed. He told where the watch
was hidden under shed. but said that
was all he got. He also declared he was
alone in the crime, but some OF the people
In town find it hard to believe that others
were not connected with it. Williams
STAYED at Mains house, the night after
committing the deed, and Mains is said to
have admitted that Williams, that night,
told him and his wife that he bad knocked
"Old man Stevens down and didn know
but what he had killed him. Mains de
clared that he didn't go to look for Stevens
as he supposed Williams was simply fool
ing.
Before taking Williams to Auburn,
| Marshal Kittredge searched him and founo
the money taken from Stevens seweu In
| to his uudershirt Williams Is only about
u wears of age, but seems to be depraveu
degenerate that rather glories IN the
notoristy. He lives in Boothbay but has
beon visiting relatives in Georgetown.
| when he was aboard the traiD en- route
to Auburn, he appe AIRED to enjoy the situf
| tiop and smoked cigar and Joked WIN
the officer as il it was an occasion 1or
merrymaking He has before TINS serVeu
| in the Reform school and one term IN jan,
MIR. Stevens condition is still regarueo