The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-12-22
i'm SELF DEFENSE.
Strange Murder in Natick,
| Mass.
Spanish War Veteran
Killed by Woman.
Claimed lie Was Trying to Enter
Her House.
Knocked One Member
Of Family Down.
An Insurance Agent Of Town
Was With Victim.
Knocked One Member
Of Family Down.
An Insurance Agent Of Town
Was With Victim.

Natick, Mass, Decemb ber 21.-Lewis
Perry, o Spanish war veteran, who came
to this town about two years ago ard
engaged employment with the Desnison
Manufacturing company Of South Franz
ingham, was shot ana almost Instantly
killed this afternoon by Miss Lizzie
Morse, at her home In west Natiok. Four
shots were tired, two Of them taking
effect, one in the left breast, which
pierced the heart, and the second pene-
tratsd the stomach. Miss Morse was
shortly sfterward placed under arrest and
claims that the circumstances justified
her In shooting down Perry.
Perry was about SO years Of age and, In
company with Arnold Stappen, VINO is
about s5 years OF age. both of whom are
married. Bota left their homes in Speen
street with their bicycles about O'Clock
this afternoon. Miss Lizzie Morse, the
alleged murderess, and the members OF
her family, claim that Perry and Stappen
arrived at their house at about 1.s0
o. clook and demanded admittance with
out stating their business. The Morse
homestead is one Of the most prominent
In this ssotion Of the state and contains
large family. all OF whom are highly re.
speotsd by the community. When Perry
and Stnppsn arrived at the house the
occupants consisted of Mrs. Willard
Morse, about so years Of age, and Miss
Electra Morse, As; Miss Lizzie Morse. IS;
willard W. Morse, IS, and Rufus ID.
Morse, 40 years Of age, children Of Mrs.
willard Morse. The two sons have besn
in poor health and remained on the farm
with their mother and sisters to assist
them as far as their health would permit.
While they were engaged at their labors
in the barn, 1t Is claimed. the two men
arrived at the house on their wheels and
demanded admission to the house, and
upon being refused. smashed several win
dows, when the women became alarmed
and fed to another part of the premises.
Miss Lizzie Morse, who Is the youngest
daughter, went to the bureau drawer and
loaded a 22-calibre revolver. She claims
that the men went around to the front
of the house. where Perry finished smash
ing the glass in one of the windows and
climbed in In spite Of her remonstrapoos.
After gaining an entrance he grabbed
Miss Electra Morse, who was 10 the act
OF protecting herself with q croquet mall
let, which was wrenched from hor hands
and with 1t Perry hit her over the head.
Lizzie rushed to her sisters assistance
and informed Perry that she would shoot
him II he did not leave the house. He
gave her terrific blow with the mallet
and felled her to the floor. She managed
to get up and again told Perry to get out
Of the house, when he dared her to shoot.
She then fired four shots at Perry, who
m anaged to climb through the window
and then fell dead. 1t is further claimed
that Stappen. in the meantime, nad at
tempted to get into a window, but was
prevented by willard Morse, who had
heard the noise. Stappen then threw
several stones at the windows and as
Perry fell ous through the window, he
said to the wounded man: "Let's get out
of this"
Perry replied: "You can 60, but
can't" and then expired.
The members OF the Morse family claim
that Stappen then tried TO get into the
b ,uss, but upon being prevented, he
mounted his wheel aud went to West
Natick and telephoned for the police.
Officers Frank II. Bunker and Herman
4odendon of the Natick department re-
sponded. and Stsppsn was taken to the
Natick lookup by Bunker. Chief Sweeney
soon after arrived and piaced Miss Lizzie
Morse under arrest. She viii remain at
hsr houss in the custody of an officer un-
Gil tomorrow morning when the hearing
win take place.
M,d cal Examiner Robbins Of Franz
insnsm viewed the body and will COM
p ese hia examination before the hour of
shs preliminary hearing in the morning.