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

Hopkins?
A.-Appeared cool aud smiling.
y Ibid he wave his hand as he turned
away?
A.-Didn't know but what he did
L.. Hill of Augusta was the next
witness. Net Hopkins that morning of
the shooting, going up street. Later met
burns coming down near entrance TO
Judge Andrews office Saw people run
ming to and from up the street and asked,
What's the rush up that way. Mike?"
Burns answered: Just shot a man,
that's all
burns appeared as usual. Had a cigar
ne was smoking. After Burns passed,
notlced be had revolver in his hand
Judge A. g. Andrews of the Augusta
municipal court was called. Testified to
talking with Hopkins, the morning of
June "a, before the shooting. After the
shooting (of which the judge was unaware
at the time) Burns came into his office and
iald down revolver and either said. GIVE
shot man" or Eve killed a man. !"
Asked who, and Burns answered, Harry
Hopkins. Asked him what for.
Couldn't remember just Burns
words, but something like He got
revolver to shoot me and I'm tired
of living" Told Burns he didn't want the
revolver en- his table, and Burns took out
the cylinder. Witness didn't at first think
Burns was telling the truth. Didn't
notice Burns face at first Later looked
carefully at him. Burns sat looking
steadily out of the window. When some
one came in and said Hopkins had not
been hurt, he thought he noticed look Of
relief pass over Burns face.
oss-examined-Couldn t tell how long
Burns was in taking the cylinder out of
the revolver. 1t wasn't done with a single
movement. Couldn't believe at first tnat
Burns bad killed man. The officers
were at the depot at this time There was
quite a delay In getting counsel.
g By the court-What was Burns man
ner and appearance from the time he came
in until he told you what he had done.9
A.-After he sat down he seemed under
an intense strain and it seemed as though
the blood would burst from his face at
times. After it was announced that
Hopkins was not hurt he looked more
natural
George B. Fall, attorney. Augusta, testi-
fed that he was in Judge Andrews office
soon after the shooting. Heard some of
the talk. Remembered that Judge An
drcws asked: "Did you intend TO kill
him, Mike?" and heard Burns reply, "Yes,
did. He intended to kill me "
Was there when one of the bullets was
brought in. The other. they said, couldn't
be found. Burns said he fired but one
shot. Burps sat, when witness first went
in, with his chair tilted back and his feet
on the window sill. Had cigar in his
mouth. His lower lip trembled so that he
supported the cigar in his hand, which
trembled much. Seemed under an intense
strain. Heard Burns say Mrs. Hopkins
'ssssed" him when he came down by
also that Hopkins sent him word he should
shoot him, Burns adding with harsh
laugh" And did not wish to die so soon."
This talk took place after the city marshal
came in the first time The marshal went
in and out several times
On the cross examination, Mr.. Fall said
Marshal Bean didn't ask Burns any qucs-
lions in witness presence Mr.. Bean had
reported that Hopkins was not killed and
then went out. The judge got paper
and sat down to write and then asked
Burns if he intended to kill Hopkins
Witness was sure Of the exact words of
Judge Andrews question and Burns
answer. If anyone understood witness to
say he saw Burns when the latter first
came into the judges Office they misun
dcrstoOd him.
Eugene f. Merrill, clerk at the City
hotel, June %, was the next witness.
Saw Burns go down by "a few minutes
I cfore the shooting. Seemed to be smil
ing and was smoking.
John b. Brown Of Augusta, was the
next witness He testified as to the CONVEX
sation between Burns and Hopkins, the
time the former came into the saloon and
demanded If Hopkins had threatened to
shoot him. His testimony corroboratcd
Hopkins as to this occasion and also as to
the occasion when Burns came in and
looked over the bills on the file. Didn't
think Buns spent much time in looking
over the file. Burns appeared like an
angry man.
On cross, he said he couldn't identify
the bills, rs he didn't pay particular at
tention to them when Hopkins laid the
file on the counter. Thought Burns looked
at the Shannon file.
City Marshal Bean of Augusta, was then
called. Testified as to what occurred with
Burns In Judge Andrews Office. ldenti
fed the coat worn by Hopkins at the time
Of the shooting, also the shirt which was
given TO wttncs, several days afterward rs
being thu orc wvrn by Hopkins; also tie
revolver brought into Judge Andrews
office; also the two empty shells and the
loaded shells taken from the revolver
Heard Judge Andrews say: Mike l
guess you meant To kill him, didn't yon:"
and Burns replied "Of course l meant
TO kill him He threatened to kin me,
why shouldn't II" This was the substance
of what was said, though not perhaps the
exact words. Didn't hear Burns say that
Mrs. HOPKINS or Freddie had insulted
him. Thought Burns looked relieved
when be heard Hopkins was alive.
The defence admitted that the coat and
shirt belonged to Hopkins and that the
hole was made by the bullet.
T.. +. Pease of Augusts, was then called
Testified as to the time Burns came into
the saloon to look over the papers Cor
robcrated previous testimony on this point
Heard Burns say he'd bury Hopkins.
II. W. Gilley of Augusta, was called
Was in Hopkins store the Saturday before
the shooting. Heard Burns call Hopkins
"A rotten son of B.. Thought Hopkins
was COOL AS Burns left, said he'd bury