Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-09-17
THE BURNS CASE.
CONTINUED from page IL

ness said he repeated the words ''dirty
cur" aad Burns remarking that he
would Lave a warrant out for him in
fifteen minutes, walked on down street.
Witness admitted he said the words want
ing Burns to strike him, hoping that
then he could get peace warrant This
idea came into his mind at that time, but
not before, and he acted upon it,
At this the court adjourned for dinner.
Afternoon Session.
On the coming in of the court in the
afternoon, Hopkins resumed the stand and
the cross examination was continued, as
follows:
Should not say Burns was dressed any
different on the morning of the shooting
than he usually was after be went out of
the business with me. Don't believe be
had been drinking. He says he hasn't
drank for / l years and 1 believe him. Saw
Judge Andrews and talked with him not
over five minutes on the morning of the
shooting, and then to Mr.. Cornish's office
Then returned ON my way to my shop
Met l.. B. Hill on my way up and spoke
with him. The last one before l got to
Beales that l spoke with was Sylyanus
Woodcock, near Bakers store, just below
Beale's When l first saw Burns his face
appeared as though he was pleased about
something smiling
The witness then restated the shooting
in detail. He testified that at the inter
view at the jail, by request Of Burns,
Burns wife and Fred Hopkins withdrew
from the cell and their conversation was
alone. At that time Burns insisted that
Hopkins should retire from the guardian
ship of Bridget Heating but that Hopkins
might name his successor stating that
this would harmonic the family troubles.
Hopkins told him he didn't understand it
SO. Burns said to Freddie at that time
Freddie, l don't recollect of seeing you
at the time of the shooting" Witness adj
mitted that he might have said before the
shooting, at one time in Judge Andrews
office, that he thought Burns crazy.
Q Didn't your wife say in Judge An
drews' office in your presence and hearing
that Mike was crazy, and didn't you as
sent to 1t?
Al didn't raise any objection to it.
Redirect-My wife did say that Mike
must be crazy, and 1t was said in connec
ton with demand upon me by Mike to
close the shop up or he would set the off
GERS on me, and that he would give me Is
minutes to do it. That demand was in
February or March.
Friend Reynolds of Sidney, testified that
he was putting some groceries into his
team hitched by the Beale store at the
time of the shooting, and saw Burns when
within about eight feet of Hopkins, fire at
him two shots. Burns then walked off.
Heard no remarks from either man.
Cross Ex.-Was not over 10 or II feet
from them. Burns did not aim the re-
volver at the boy. Saw him look at the
boy but did not see him aim any revolver
to shoot him. When he went along he had
his hand round the middle of the revolver
so could see both ends
W. H. Scovill, painter, was sitting
near the window in the Beale paint shop
at the time of the shooting. Saw Burns
coming down the street on outside of walk,
and when opposite the door sailed up Oh
the inside, with his hand In his pocket,
and said: You son of Il b., l have
got revolver for you, and fired. Harry
saggcd up against the window and he
fired again. jumped out of the door and
caught Hopkins and led him into the shop.
HoplSin was ut the edge of the door on the
tep. Hopkins turned round and leveleL
his revolver at Fred, ssand he jumped be-
hind the horse hitched there. Heard no
remark that he made to Fred.
Cross Ex-As I understood him, Burns
said, II have got revolver for you, not
You have got revolver for me-" l was
nearer to Burns than Harry was. l was
about five feet from Burns.
Sylvanus Woodcock testified that he
came out of the Fuller store just south of
Beale's, to go to the Granite Bank, and
met Hopkins, who was going north.
Talked with him about five minutes and
left him to cross the street when he saw
Burns coming down. Was about 25 feet
from Beales store then. Was watching
Burns, and when got to the car track,
in crossing the street, saw Burns fire at
Hopkins Witness started back then. A
second shot was fired right after the first
Then Burns stepped onto the door step of
the Beale store l saw Fred, and as Burns
stepped onto the sidewalk from the Bealc
store, he says: You son of b, l
have got your life, " or Il will take your
life" something like that. Don't know
whether he meant Fred or Hopkins.
Could not say whether he pointed the
pistol at Fred picked the revolver case
no from the walk aud went into Beale's
store. Burns started down street, Am
not sure whether he had u cigar in his
month but think be had. Should say be
was four or five feet from Hopkins when
he fred first He advanced Oh Hopkins,
stepping onto the step.
Gross Ex.-The boy was on the clubbing
Of the sidewalk when l first saw him, aud
Mike had stepped OFF the step. Harry was
ia the store.
Charles a. White, a barber working for
Dan Ward, testified that on the morning
of the shooting he was coming down past
Hopkins' where he was Joined by Fred
HOPKINS. When they got down to Muir
phys drug store, saw Hopkins coming.
saw Burns at hopkins saloon. Cane
down behind Burns. All at once saw Fred
spring toward his father. l SAW Burns
reach for his revolver, to bis right side
pocket, just before the shooting. Mr..
Hopkins was coming up street.
O What did Burns do after he fired at
Hopkins?
4 4 was hiding behind the statue
about that time. Did not hear either say
anything.
-