Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-10-30
BOLD ATTEMPTS
OF Burglars to Enter Samuel
Trafton's House, Sidney.
Bullet Sent Through Window, When
Parties Are Frightened Away.
Attempts Made In Several Successive Niohts
NO Clue to Miscreants.

Waterville, Oct. 29.-fSpeciaD. 1T Is get
ting to be dangerous living in All parts
of Maine lately. Crimes seem to flourish
bes, in the rural districts and along lonely
roads. This time the quiet precinct known
as the Eight Rod road has come into
prominence as the scene of a burglario,s
effort and attempt at murder Samuel
Trafton. well-to-do farmer and hav
buyer. lives few rods back of the Sid
ney road on the highway mentioned
above, and is reported TO be very wealthy
and TO keep large sums of money about
him a all times.
Last Thursday Mr.. Trafton wen; IN
Boston to settle up his seasons business
with ta> INNS that he ,ocs business with
ard left his home in the charge OF Il Mr.
Mason. q man well advanced in years
aud the housekeeper, Miss Herrick of this
city.
Miss Herrick drove Mr.. Traftou to the
railroad station in this city and on her
return home noticed a stranger hanging
around the premises. She thought moth
ing OF IL al the time and went about her
usual duties
During the night, Miss Herrek was
awakened by someone attempting to
force one of the windows Of the dining
room She aroused Mr. Mason and the
noise they both made In moving about
the house in their attempt 10 discover
VINO the party was, Probably frightened
the burglar away The people In the
and did not dare go to bed again. that
night.
Friday night. the attempt 10 enter the
house was again made, which resulted in
I his was true of the succeeding nights
until Tuesday night when the miscrcants
look the next step. that OF attempting "A
murdefous attack upon the people in the
house.
When twas discovered that the burg
lars were again about the house, Tues
day night the inmates went into the par
Tor after lighting several lights in differ
ent rooms. They could hear the men, for
II was determined that there were at
least TWO of them about the house. trav-
cling around on the outside
Miss Herrick started TO pass from the
parlor TO the dining room. when. just as
she passed into the hall bnilet crashed
through the sidelght Of the door and
lodged in the thick folds Of curtain that
hung over the light. The bullet dropped
to the floor and 1t was seen that had il
passed on a line with Miss Herrick S
heart, If it had not struck the young
lady.
The sho, was fred from the doorstep
ard IT that distance the wonder is that
the bullet was stopped by the curtain
The fire and powder from the discharge
of the pistol went into the hall and
burned into the curtain The inmates
were thoroughly frightened and remained
in fear and trembling all night, not dar-
ing to retire.
The reason the affair was not reported
20 the police until tonight. was from the
fact that MIR. Traitor was expected home
every night. Wednesday. Mr.. Mason took
care to circulate the report that Mr..
Traitor would be at home that night,
and no attempt was made upon the house.
Thus it Is believed that the burglars are
those who live about here and who have
themselves posted as to the comings and
goings of Mr. Trafton.
The objects of the attempts to enter the
house II. of course. supposed to be rob-
berry. the raiders perhaps thinking that
Mr.. Trafton had left consderab BILE money
in the house when he went to Boston.
The matter was reported to City Marshal
McFadden, tonight, and he is invest
eating.