The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-10-30
Attempted Robbery and Murder at
Sidney.
WOULD BE VICTIM SAVED BY A
SILK CURTAIN.
Miss Lillian Herricks' Story of Attempt
Upon Her Life-Was Housekeeper for
Samuel Trafton a Wealthy Farmer,

toI 6N1AA IL 1d6 tRESSst
! Watervills, October 29.-Miss Lill ian
Herrick, residing at the home of Samuel
B. Trafton of Sidney, claims to have
had the most peculiar attempt upon her
life last night known to the history of
Sidney aud but for singular coinci-
dence she would tonight be lying dan
gerously wounded if not dead.
Samuel B. Trafton Is reported as being
the weBlthiest farmer of his town. He
| is widower, his household consisting
| ofkan elderly man and his wife, and Miss
Lillian Herrick, his housekeeper, who is
| 90 years old.
Thursday, October 20, Mr.. Trafton was
driven to Waterville where he took the
Pullman for Boston Oh a business trip.
Since this time Miss Herrick has besn
| In charge of the household and several
| nights ago she heard noises about the
house which caused her TO think that
some one was breaking In. She called
| the man and together. they Investigated
and found man had broken pane of
glass in the sleeping room of Mr.. Traf-
ton with the probable intent of entering
and burglarizing. Going out of doors
the man heard some one run down the
road, but could not get sight Of him.
Last night there was again heard nois-
es about the place and some one was
heard to bc walking upon the piazza
roof, from which entrance could be made
into the second STORY window. This
was about O. clock and again an fnves-
tigation was made, by the three occupants
of the house. who were at that time in
the sitting room, the man carrying a
gun for defence.
Entering the south chamber suddenly ,
mans form was outlined insthe win
dow upon the outside. Miss Herriok
claims to have called at the top Of her
voice asking the question Of "What
was wanted" when the plainly defined
man on the piazza roof sprang to one
side and jumped downsoff the roof.
| Miss Herrick passed down stairs after
a light, while the man and his wife stood
at the window trying to get sight OF
the person who had jumped from the
roof.
Miss Herriok went to the sitting room
down stairs. secured the lamp and. passed
through the entry. just as she was op-
posite one of the side lights which
framed thu door pistol ahot was fired
so near the glass that the smoke and
fash were plainly seen. but owing to a
silk curtain which hung at this side
l Hrh at fho fcu Awr o1u hvrx
loose at the bottom, her life was saved
probably, as the bullet rolled itself In
the curtainsand did not penetrate, simply
tearing it from several Of it's fastenings
at the top.
Miss Herrick sank to the floor with
fright, dropping the lamp and the man
and maid servants from above rushed
down to her assistance. It was found she
was in no wise injured. Search was
made outside, but no one could be
found.
i The pane of glass through which the
bullet passed has hole an inch in di.
ameter, and it would seem as If the pis.
tol must have been fired very close to
it to have made SO large an opening.
Miss Herrick has the bullet which is q
32-caIibre. 1t having fallen to the floor
from the folds of the curtain.
Miss Herriok says she has no doubt the
intent was upon her life. the object be.
ing to get her out of the way as the 9th
er members OF the household ware aged
and would have been easy victims to
one wishing to rob the place. The hole
in the window was made at point in
almost exact line with her heart as she
stood or passed the entry.
Miss Herriok declares that she has NOT
an euemy in the world to her knowledge
and thus the whole affair is shrouded
in mystery.
Mr.. Trafton returned to his home to.
night and states that while in the past
he las kept large amounts of money in
the house. for the past few years a
burglar would have found very little for
his trouble, as he is firm believer Of
depositing his money in the bank now.
He also agrees with Miss Herrick,
who, he says is the daughter of Charlel
Herrick, near neighbor. and very
courageous girl.