Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-03-05
Highest Of all in Leavening power-Latest u S Govt Report
R3HA!:!!!! R RsxasSz
ABSOLUTELY PURE
SHOOTING In BAKERSFIELD.
A SLIGHT QUARREL WILL PROB
ABLY END IN MURDER.
Xavier Barber Shoots Down Cortis Wells
His Neighbor Thought He IL Fatally
wounded-BarberA Arrested and
Acknowledge tho Crime.

East Fairfield, March LIN a At of
anger, Xavier Barber shot Cortis Wells
Saturday night and Wells now lies at the
door of death. Barber was found hiding
at his father-in-laws house, late in the
evening and was placed under arrest
The shooting occurred just outside the
Wells house. which is in the town of
Bakersfed; both men live about three
miles north of East Fairfield, on what Is
known as the Egypt road, their houses
being about half q mile apart.
1t seems that a neighbor of BARRIERS, John
Durham by name, told Barber that there
was pair Of overshoes in Wells barn,
which he (Barber) could have II he would
go and get them. so Saturday afternoon
about o'clock, Barber, accompanied by
Durham, started up to Wells after the
rubbers. When they reached the house,
Barber went in and asked for the rubbers.
1t appears that there has been bad blood
between the two men for some time, and
BARRIERS request was answered by Wells
ordering him out of the house and off his
premises. Barber went out and when out
side, dared Wells to come out and settle
their difficulties; Wells came out promptly
and went up to where Barber stood, where
they had more words which ended with
Wells slapping BARRIERS race. Barber
backed off a few PAGES and drawing q re-
volver, without word of warning, shot
w eHS QOWn, anu WakeO AWAY.
Charles Jones. a neighbor, and John
Durham, who had witnessed the shooting,
picked Wells up, carried him to mis- house
and sent for medical aid and notified the
authorities. DIR. Patten of East Fairfield
soon arrived and found Wells very low, be-
ing seriously, II not fatally, injured, the
bullet having entered just above the
heart and penetrating the left lung. The
doctor worked over Wells, who lowered
between life and death, all night long. and
to- night thinks he has a slight chance OF
recovery.
States Attorney Isaac N. Chase of Eas
Fairfield with Deputy Sheriff Croft, were
at the scene of the crime. investigating II
within an hour from the time 1t happened
and search for Barber beginning at his
house, ended with finding and arrestinf
him at his father-in-law's, at about
o'clock.
Barber submitted quietly to his arrest
and acknowledged the shooting, claiming
that Wells chased him out of the houst
and that he shot him In self defense
When he was searched by the officers fol
weapons none were discovered, but re
volver was finally found In the alley be
tween BARRIERS and Wells houses. where
Barber had thrown H. 1t is a chear
ordinary 80 calibre revolver and Is now ir
the States attorneys possession. -.
The preliminary. hearing in the case will
be held at East Fairfield Monday morning
when Barber will be arraigned, charget
with murder II Wells dies before tha
time, or assault with intent to kill II HI
lives.
Wells is about 80 years old and mar
ried, and has the reputation OF being {
hard working, Industrious man, wht
minds his own business. Barber Is abou
SO and has a wife and two children. He II
thought by some to have a wheel or tive
loose.
BARBER is IN JAIL
st. Adams, March 3.-Deputy Sheriff
Croft of East Fairfield arrived here last
night with Xavier Barber, who on Satur
day night at Bakersfield shot and seriously
wounded Cortes Wells. Barber is now II
the county Jail under $4,000.