Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-12-22
STRANGE SHOOTING.
Lizzie Morse Kills Lewis Perry
at Natick, Mass.
Claims It Was Done in Defence Of
Herself and Relatives.
Is Now Under Arres!-Grave Charges Made
Against Lewis.

n Spanish war veteran who came to
this town, about two wears ago, and
engaged employment with the Denni-
son Mfg. Go. of South birmingham.
was shot and almost instantly killed,
this afternoon. by Miss Lizzie Morse,
at her home in West Natick. -Four
shots We're fired, two of them taking
effect, one in the left breast. which
pierced the heart, and the second pen
etrated the stomach. Miss Morse was
shortly afterward placed under arrest
and claims that the circumstances jus
titled her in shooting down Perry.
Perry was about 81 years of age. and.
in company with Arnold Stappcn, who
is about 81 years Of age, both Of whom
are married. left their homes on Speen
street with their bicycles, about l
o'clock this afternoon.
Miss Lizzie Morse. the alleged muir
1ereSs, and the members of her family
claim that Perry and Stappen arrived
at their house, about 80 o'clock, and
demanded admittance without stating
their business. The Morse homestead
Is enc Of the most prominent in this
section of the state and contains n
large family. all Of whom are highly
respected by the community.
When Perry ana Stappcn arrived ut
the house the occupants consisted Of
Mrs Willard Morse. about 80 years Of
age, and Miss Electra Morse. As. Miss
Lizzie Morse, 81. willard W. Morse,
4S. and Rufus D. Morse. 40 years OF
age children Of Mrs. Willard Morse.
The two sons have been in poor health
a hei
mother and sisters to assist them as
far as their health would permit.
While they We're engaged at their
la borS in the barn, it is claimed. the
two men arrived at the house ana up
on being refused admittance smashed
several windows. when the women be-
came alarmed and fled to another part
of the premises.
Miss Lizzie Morse, who is the young
est Of the daughters. went to the
bureau dra and loaded a 22-calibre
revolver. she claims that the men
went around to the front of the house.
where Perry finished smashing the
glass in one of the windows and climb
Cd in in spite Of her remonstrances.
After gaining an entrance he grabbed
Miss Electra Morse, who was in the
act of protecting herself with a
croquet mallet. which was Wrenched
from her hands and with it Perry hit
her over the head.
Lizzie rushed to her sisters assist
ance and informed Perry that she
would shoot him if he did not leave
the houe. He gave her a 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
managed to climb through the window
and then fell dead.
1t is further claimed that Stappen,
in the meantime, had attempted to get
into window, but was prevented by
Willard Morse who had heard the
noise Stappen then threw several
stones at the windows and as Perry
fell out 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 house but upon being pre-
vented he mounted his wheel and went
to the West Natick engine house ana
for the police.
Officers Frank II. Bunker and Her
man Godendon of the Natick depart
ment. responded. and Stappen was
taken to the Natick lookup by Bunker
Chef Sweeney soon afterWard arrived
and placed Miss Lizzie Morse under
arrest. She will remain at her house
in the custody of an officer until to-
morning, when the hearing
will take place. Medical Examiner
Robbins Of birmingham. viewed the
body and will complete his eXamlna-
ton before the hour Of the preliminary
hearing in the morning.
Lizzie Morse is strong in her claim
that the circumstances justified her IN
shooting the man and in that way pro
tecting herself and other members of
the family. The friends of Perry say
that he was a total abstainer ana are
unable to account for his actions dur
ing the afternoon He came to TINS
town from RoXbury. Mass. about TWO
wears ago and last summer served IN
Porto Rico. being a member Of 90. r.
9Th Regiment, NJ. v NJ. OF late he has
been out of work. He was membef
Of the West Natick Hose Co, which
recently erected new house and was
, member of the committee of arrange
ments for Christmas sociable to be
held in the new engine house. Saturday
evening of this week. The presence or
the two men at the Morse house is a
mystery to those who are acquainted
with them. as it is Stoutly claimed that
neither of them INDUCED in liquor.
Miss Lizzie Morse is about feet. .
inches in height and weighs about 100
pounds and is prepossessing in appear
ance. The revolver she used had not
been discharged for 20 years.
Stappen is an insurance agent ana
has resided in Natick about seven
vers He has a wife and three small
children.
Charles Bowen. hired man for John
Walker. who lives about one-half mile
from the Morse place. Informed the OF