Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-06-10
CIRCUS DAY MELEE.
William Bell, a Circus En-
ployee, Tried for Assault.
John Cronan, Bangor, and VIM. J.
Morris, Portland, Compliments.
Bell Maintains Innocence Mistaken
ldcntity-Case Settled Out Of Court.

street leading to the Driving park
Wednesday night, in which one mans
head was cut open and another man
was knocked down by a bottle was
aired in the police court. Friday after
noon. and was finally settled more OF
less to the satisfaction of all concerned
The assault in question was commit
ted upon two vendors of red lemonade
and root beer, John Cronan of Ran
gor, and William ]. Morris of Portland
and these two men lay the charge 70
one William Smoot, detective in the
employ Of the Sells Brother circus
William Bell, a reserved seat ticket sell
Ter. and four other men all connected
with the circus.
The two complainants appeared in the
municipal court, Thursday morning,
with their attorney, Arson NJ. Goddard
Esq, and swore out a warrant against
Smoot and Bell. These warrants were
who sent Deputy Marshal Grover and
Officer Chase to Waterville, Friday
morning, to serve them.
Mr.. Grover succeeded in securing Bell
but could not find Mr. Smoot. who
heard of the coming of the Augusta Of
ficers and departed to avoid trouble.
81
afternoon train and accompanying him
came Assistant Manager c. n
Thompson, Head Usher Frank Greer
and Manager James l.. Murray of the
reserved seat and concert ticket sellers
They secured the services Of l.. A. Bur
leigh of the law firm or Williamson &
Burleigh, and the trial was held, com
mencing little after o'clock and last
ing until after s.
Bell waived the reading of the war
rant and the case was taken up by At
torney Goddard. William J. Morris was
the first man called upon the stand. He
testified that he was the partner OF
John Cronan in the lemonade business
that they had been together since the
show was in Lowell, several days ago
They came to Augusta. Wednesday. and
hired a place on the ground of Dr. A. G
Young and set up their table. He said
he was threatened by Smoot in Ports
n N IN l.
and had not seen him again until
Wednesday. He said he had known
the prisoner William Bell two years. by
sight only. He first saw Bell while
travelling with the same circus Bell
was then a lemonade seller with the
circus.
He said he first saw Bell about noon
Wednesday. and then saw him again
about o'clock. At this time Smoot
came along to their place OF business
and said if they followed the circus
any farther they would get killed and
Bell who was with Smoot. made some
remark. The next he saw of them was
about 9.f5 O'Clock that night. before the
ing shouting his wares. CrOuan was
pouring out a glass Of lemonade for a
upon them and he positively Unidentified
Bell as one who struck him (Morris)
with a bottle in the face. He also saw
Smoot tip over the table and strike
Cronan over the head with pitcher
Morris then turned and ran away and
did not know what happened for few
minutes. Later he said he saw Smoot
and Bell board the Electric car for the
city.
John Cronan of Bangor. testified
practically as Morris, though he did
not remember Of Bells being about at
noon. He said he was struck with
something when the attack was made
upon them and was made unconscious
for several hours. He displayed a bad
cash on the back of the head.
John Mcdonald of Augusta, indentl-
fed Bell as one of the men whom he
had heard threatening Cronan and
Morris in the afternoon.
John Hersom of Augusta. testified to
seeing the melee when the attack was
made upon the two men. He saw six
of the circus men go out and make the
attack at about 10 O'Clock, he thought
He thought he identified Bell as one OF
the party.
Charles Bell. the respondent, said he
uas y reserved seat and concert ticket
seller working under Mr.. Murray He
went on parade in the morning. Their
he hogan selling tickets at l o'clock anc
finished after the concert tickets hac
heen sold. From that time to ne was
At liberty. Again at he sold reserved
cont tickets until about $50. when he
eo+tled with Mr. Murray in the manag
orie tent and then returned and sole
concert tickets until after the tickets
were collected which would be ltti'
| .. an o.cIoclx each night. He admitted