Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-08-10
AFTER A STRUGGLE.
Herbert Willis Arrested or
Charge Of Murder.
Man Is Nineteen Years Old and Ac.
cused Of Killing Fred N. Strange.
Is Also Thought to Be the Celebrated Proyi
dence Bicycle Thief-Resisted Arrest.

Taunton. Mass, Aug. 9.-Herbert Will
lis, the oldest son of S. b. Willis, well
known fish dealer was arrested this
morning after a desperate struggle on
a charge of numbering Fred NJ. Strange
on the night of June %. Four Taunton
officers made the arrest, after Willis had
attempted to use two revolvers of which
he was disarmed, and after he had chewed
the thumb of one of the officers in a seri-
Gus manner. Willis is 10 years of age. and
very strong. He answers perfectly the
description sent out by the police of the
murderer of Strange, and his arrest has
caused great excitement here, not only
on account of his suspected connection
with the Strange murder, but also be-
cause evidence has been discovered in
dicating that he was the one involved in
the exciting episode at Providence a few
DAYS aEo, when supposed bicycle thief
escaped ON a stolen machine after hav-
ing jumped through window and rid
ing away amid 4 shower of bullets from
those who attempted to capture him.
Willis has been under suspicion, chiefly
tine description of Strange's murderer
fitted him. fer some time. Saturday
morning the police decided to place him
under arrest. For this purpose Officers
Bolton, Briggs. Powers and Mccormick
Went to the market at about O'Clock
Officer Bolton led in the arrest. He
stepped UP to young Willis and an
bounced that he had come to place him
under arrest
Not looking for resistance. the officer
attempted to take Willis by the arm
| The young nam quickly reached to his
| pocket and drew a revolver. The other
officers seized his hand before he could
| discharge the weapon and Wrenched il
away. With Officer Bolton hanging to
| his right arm Willis managed to reach
| his hand into his breast pocket whence
he drew another revolver, but he was
| again dsarmcd before he could use it,
In the struggle Willis got Officer Briggs
thumb into his mouth, and before it
was released be had bitten it to the bone
In spite of this resistance the officers
| finally overcome the prisoner and he
Was bound and taken to the station
| where he was placed in cell, and is now
under constant guard.
| In searching for evidence against Will
lis the bicycle stolen from DaWson's
store in Providence, upon which the sup
| posed bicycle thief escaped after an ex-
citing experience, was found in a back
room of the fish market
| Charles Strange. who was assaulted
| by the same one who inflicted fatal in
| iuries upon Fred Strange, has seen Will
lis, and states that he is positive the man
is the one who assaulted him.
The police claim to have other strong
| evidence against the prisoner. the nature
of which they refuse to disclose. As the
authorities desire little more time tc
work upon the case Willis will not be
given a hearing for q few days.
The father of the prisoner, Immediately
after the arrest told the reporter that h.
feared the affair would seriously affect
the boys mother. who is in feeble health
Mr.. Willis said his son had been accus-
| toned to ride out evenings as Other.
young men did, but he could not recall
where he had been on the occasions on
which the crimes of which he is accused
occurred. Young Willis is the owner of
a good bicycle and is an expert rider
! The house where Willis lives was
searched before noon by Detectives
Hodges and Carey. They found largo
quantities of cigars, tobacco and candy
In the room occupied by Herbert Two
| loaded rcvolvers. d shotgun. rifle. two
sets of false Whiskers and cartridges
| enough to supply q small arsenal We're
found in another chamber on the samn
floor Many of the articles, it is believed.
were stolen from stores in North Rayn-
ham. Wcstville and Bristol