The Portland daily press., 1896-08-24
FALMOUTH EXCITED.
VIM. Ross Turns the Town TOpsy-
Turyy.

He Burns His Own Barn-Frightens AL
| His Neighbors-Is Arrested anu
Brought to Portland.
was oooasioned in Falmouth on Friday
afternoon and night by the wild perform
ances Of William q. Ross, middle aged
man of that town. Mr.. Ross, with MS
wife and two children, lives about mile
from Colley's Corner. Mrs. Ross was form
erly of Portland and her parents live here
now.
For some time Mr.. Ross has been aoe-
Ing strangely; but on Friday he caused
veritable reign of terror. He began
some time about the middle of the day
by going to the.house of Mr.. q. II. Chen
cry, who lives near Colley's Corner on
the straight road to Yarmouth. Like
a wild man he rushed at the house,
smashed In the screen door, and entering
attacked Mrs. Chenery with a sled stake,
striking her so severe a blow on the
arm as to injure her considerably. At
the Same time he made the most violent
threats, declaring that he would burn
the buildings and do other terrible
things Then he left the house and dis
appeared in the neighboring woods.
Mr.. Chenery was not at homo, as he Is
employed by George E. Sawyer in Port
land. He at once received an urgent
telephone message from his wife, asking
| m at Corh aoa fh0r6
was great trouble. He lost no time In
responding.
As he drove through Colley's Corne
the people there told him that 1t would
not be safe to venture into tho region
where Mr.. Ross was, without help. But
Mr.. Chenery is determined man and
drove on.
Arriving home he took his two dogs
and started for the woods to find Ross.
He searched there for some time, but
did not find him. Then hs started for
home. BY this time evening was ap-
preaching.
Ross. meanwhile had got his team, and
now appeared on tho road, riding like a
mad man. standing up In the wagon,
flashing the horse and uttering terrible
| shouts.
In this way he drove up the road by
Mr.. Chenery's. The latter followed and
soon oamo to a group of neighbors,
among whom were Mr.. and Mrs. B. A.
Hincks. Mrs. Ross soon after Joined
them, the poor woman being much terri
fed. Soon her unfortunate husband ap-
pearsd in the distance, driving furiously
as before. He came up to the group, got
out Of the wagon and began striking
with his whip, hitting one or two in
the group. Then Mr.. Chenery seized
him and with others got him under con-
troll.
| 1t was then arranged that Mr.. Hinoks
should take him TO the Hinoks farm
house and there restrain him until morn
ing. Ross was all this time uttering
threats that he would burn the buildings
of all the people in the place.
| Mr.. Hincks having taken the man, the
neighbors dispersed to their homes.
breathing easier. But Mr.. Chenery con-
sidersd 1t prudent to have his dogs loose
away and attempt to fire the buildings,
they might give the alarm.
| Meanwhile Mr.. Hinoks had taken
Ross home with him and had him put in
the barn, on the hay NOW. Mr.. Hincks
says TINT he remained awake and
watched him there until midnight.
Just what happened after that hour
at the Hinoks barn 10 not clear.
All Mr.. Chenery knows is that about
2Io'olock in the morning he was nwak-
ened by the barking Of his dogs In the
barn. He at once dressed, and with Mr..
/ James W. Wescott, sailed forth.
! The cause of the uprosr was very evil
dent. There was trouble at the Ross
farm, and evidently very much of it.
The barn was ablaze, and Mrs. Ross had
fled to the neighbors in the greatest
terror. The destruction of the barn was
complete, and with 1t were burned a cow,
a horse and several pigs, besides hay and
other property. The adjacent hen house
also burned, but the dwelling house was
saved.
Of course the greatest excitement and
even terror prevailed. Each felt that his
own buildinge might be fired next If Ross
was allowed to remain at large any long
er. So he was caught and Messrs. Chen
| cry and Wescott took a team and started
for Portland. They arrived here between
and pollock Saturday morning, and
delivered their man over to the police,
who locked him up in the station.
| Ross seemed wild all day Saturday.
The people in his neighborhood were
very reluctant to ask for his further de-
tention, but felt it necessary for the Sc
purity of their property, and perhaps even
Of their lives. 1t seemed to be the opin-
ion Saturday that the seleotmen Of Fall
mouth should have medical examina-
ton made, pending which Ross should be
confined in Portland Jail. If the exami-
nation should show him to be insane the
town authorities ooulu then take car Q of
him or send him to the hospital. If not
insane the authorities could deal with
| him