Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-10-23
MAY PROVE FATAL,
Joseph Hubert Of Augusta
Shoots Harry Hi|icker.
Ball Passes Completely Through the
Unfortunate Mans Body.
Hubert Completely Exoncraied from Blame BY
Statement Of Wounded Man.

While III the woods with his rifle
| Sunday. Joseph +. Hubert Of this city
accidentally shot Harry Hilicker of
Lowell, Mass. and in such a serious
manner that the injuries may prove ia
tai. The injured man was alive at .
O'Clock yesterday morning, but on ac-
count Of the nature of the injury it is
considered extremely doubtful if he re-
covers.
Mr. Hubert started for the woods with
a party of friends Il week ago Thurs
day, and when they had reached a sec
ton near Katahdin, fell in with Mr..
Hilicker They We're together more
or less. and started Sunday morning.
to so cunning. They had with them as
a guide. Pierce Hussey. and after a time
on account of WEAKNESS. the party sen
arated the guide leaving the other two.
Before they had separated it was ar
ranged 50 that the party should be
called together by means of signals
from the rifles.
The two tramped some distance and
finally they struck into am alder
swamp with Nh Hilicker ahead. HUI
bert had his rifle in his hands with thu
muzzle pointing ahead, and only a
short distance from the man in front
Suddenly the rifle was discharged ana
Hilicker fell To the ground. Seeing that
the man was shot. Hubert fired his
rifle. giving the prearranged signal. and
the guide came up. The injured man
was carried to the camp short dis
lance away, where an examination of
the injuries was made.
r., ~, l. N
80 rifle had entered Mr. Hilicker's back
about an inch from the backbone and
had passed clear through the body.
The guide. seeing that he could do
nothing for the injured man, at once
started on a long tramp for a doctor.
After reaching the Rogers farm. 10
miles distant. he procured 4 horse with
which he proceeded to Patten. Ii was
thought that the doctor would arrive
at the mans side AT o'clock. yester-
day morning. 1t was arranged 50 that
L lumbermen should 60 to the camp
and carry Mr.. Hilicker to the Rogers
farm with them. 1t was their plan to
place him on a cot bed. and by having
three shifts Of carriers they would be
able to carry him to a place where he
might be better cared for as quickly
AS possible.
Mr. Hilicker is Il restaurant keeper
in Lowell. Mass. but beyond that il
was not possible to learn much about
him. He is man of 40 years. As soon
as was possible 4 telegram was sent
to his wife that She might go u him
and it was thought she would arrive by
his side this morning.
Just how the accident occurred is not
known. 1t is supposed that the ham
mer was struck by limb or bush. Mr..
Hubert was Frustrated over the
occurrence. and as it was expressed by
those who had heard from him in
directly. he was half crazy. and eX-
pressed the desire time and again that
he We're in Mr. Hilicker's place.
The news Of the accident was brought
to this city by G. w. Jones. who ar
rived. yesterday afternoon. from Shin
pond. where he has been on a cunning
trip 1t was by the merest accident that
h. learned Of the occurrence. He was
talking with others about the accident
of a few days before when this catas
trophe was mentioned
The guides report that FIilickcr com
DjeteIv exoncrated Hubert from All
blame. saying that the shooting was
entirely accidental. Hubert is employed
at the store Of COL. r.. ". Soule. The
Hustler" iii this city, ana before ne
left for the trip had some talk with
MI. Soule, who cautioned him against
accident. To this Hubert said that
whatever he did he would be careful
not to mistake a man for deer. II" IL
an old hand with a rifle. and has the
reputation of being extremely careful
Oh Ait occasions. a great deal M sym-
pathy is expressed for him by MS
friends in this city.