Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-09-22
DAILY KENNEBEc JOURNAL. TUESDAY sEpTEMBER e. 1904:
A WICKED ASSAULT.
Fred Richer. 4 Lewiston BUSINESS College
Student, Badly Beaten BY Unknown Parties.

Student, Badly Beaten by Unknown Parties.
Fred Kicker, student of the Rankin
Business college in Lewiston, was
found in semi-conscious condition a,
the doorstep of his boarding house or
Academy street, Auburn, late Friday
night. According to his story, he has
been the victim of one of the most dar-
ing assaults that has been committed
III Auburn for some time.
ne ciaimsa that while about to enter
ms mouse at the corner of Academy
anu Myftle streets on the night men,
Toned ne was struck from behind q
heavy blow across the head which
rendered him unconscious. He was
round In this condition by several oc-
cupants of the house who had started
out to look for him.
alter taxing him into the house a
physician was sent for and his wound
dressed.
After regaining consciousness he
sald that ne had just reached the door
step and was in the act of taking bis
night key from his pocket when no
was stricken down. He did NOT have
a chance to see his assailant h,t had
noticed man had been following hin,
for some distance over the Grand
Trunk bridge from Lewiston and nm
Academy street. VIZ
IL IS not known how long he was w.
ing at the doorstep, but Mrs Colborna
whose room is on the ground floor close
to the stoop, says that she heard
sounds near her window ahout IN
o'clock. In going to the window she
made slight noise, which IT was
afterward surmised frightened INC
hishwayman away. as he did not wait
10 take Ricker's watch or pocketbooiS
owing to the darkness, however she
was unable to distinguish anything on
the street and consequently did not saw
anything about it, About the sam.
time, VIII Colborne. her son. returned
nome and reported having seen a man
wearing mask proving about tho
streets a short time before IT was
hen suggested that some one look mr..
Kicker, as it was growing late and he
vas expected back from Lewiston at
10 O'clock
Coiborne and another young man
cit the house and in passing the side.
'ntrance on Myrtle street found Ricke,
tretched across the sidewalk. where
ie had been lying for over an hour
The story of the assault reached III,
ars Of Manager Durham of the Park
mouse. who says that. Thursday night.
TWO men engaged rooms at his house
ana that their actions while there
caused him to become suspicious.
IN the bureau drawer of the room
ne men occupied there had been for
ONE time mask, belonging to one
I the guests. After the men left. Sat
rday morning, the mask could not he
ound.
1t is supposed that one of the men
nd the mask are the same seen by Mr.
'oiborna, Friday night. When the
men engaged the room. THURSDAY
lght, they said they We're going to the
neatre at Lewiston and would not re-
urn until quite late They returned
bout IL o'clock and said they had
hanged their minds and decided not
take in the show
They paid for their room. the next
Forming, and went away without
'aiting for breakfast. They rean-
49, 1 iAtAS iiiSiil. anu secured the
anne room they had occupied, the
light before.
lhey SAID again that they were go
nS to the show and would not return
ntil late.
Manager Durham waited for them
nth they returned at II 3O. He saws
nat he noticed that they seemed 10
'e in quite hurry to get to their
pom and when asked if they wished
De shown to their room. answered.
Never mind. We're all right" They
rose early, Saturday morning. and
1T the house before anyone saw them
Mr. Durham says that they were
esperate looking men. and would not
G surprised if they were connected
nth the assault
The injury received by Kicker is no,
'rlous, as he was able to be out YES
rday
KICKER IS stranger in town having
ONE from Sumpter, S. c., to attend
tankin's BUSINESS college at Lewis
~ The police have been notified of
he assault-Lewiston Sun.