The Portland daily press., 1900-05-16
SHOT LITTLE DAUGHTER.
Attempted Marasr Followed BY Suicide
In Bremen.

Thomaston, May lb.-Ths coroner Of
Kuox county oommsncsd IN Inquest this
afternoon into che shooting affair which
occurred on tue water front here ~ .
late hour last night.
Hsnry simmons Of Bremen. q small
place about 90 miiss southwest Of
Thomal ton, shot ana severely wounded
his daughter, aged fourteen, and then
killed himself.
The shot which Injured his daughter
was intsn led for his Wife.
u appears that Mrs. Simuons and her
two children left her husbands home In
Bremen one year ago on account Of his
cruelty. simmons was hard drinkef ct
times and when under the infiusncs Of
LIQUOR had been In the habit Of maltrest-
ing his wife. His abuss became unbsar-
able and the woman and hsr children
came 10 Thomasson and engaged
hoass ON Water street close to the bay.
Mrs.. Simmons by hard work was able 10
support the two children. one Of whom
10 O daughter fourtssn years Of as who
has been assisting her mother 70 earn
living.
simmons, who continued to stay In
Bremen after his famiiy's departure,
came 70 Thsmaston on Saturday and
with three others whom he brought with
him spent some time about town drink
ing. The men made the trip across the
I az In sail boat.
~ L. ntnhf- UhfIa
under the influence Of strong drink be
vent to the home Of his wife. He found
the house In darkness, the family having
apparently retired some time before. He
did not attempt to gain admission by
pounding on the front door, bus instsad
olir bed on shed, the top Of which
rested under window In the rear Of his
wife's chamber.
Simmons opened the window and
passed In, finding his wife and daughter
occupying one bed and his little SON
aslse In the % lining room.
Ths noise OF his entrance aroused the
woman, but before she had time to light
lamp. her husband appeared by the side
of the bed and held revolver over her.
Simmons told her that he had become
tired Of living apart from his family and
had determined to Shoot himself. The
little boy at this poins entered the room.
and both he and his mother begged Sim
mons not to harm himself and to stop
drinking.
their entreaties seemed to enrage the
man for he Immediately aimed the
weapon at his wife and told her he was
going to shoos her. His hand was un-
steady, and wnsn the revolver was dis
charged, the bullet did not strike Mrs.
Simmons, but instead wounded the
daughter, who was standing close beside
her, In the right breast.
Simmons pulled the trigger again sew
eral times, hut the cartridges failed to
explode, or It is probable the entire fam
lily would have been wiped out.
The man left the house when the car
tridQes had failed him and it 10 suppose
loaded his pistol with good shells.
He weEt TO his boat which was moored
short distance from the house and after
sitting down on Q small chair which he
had In It shot himself. dying soon after
wards.
This morning the coroner began hold
ing an Inquest. The daughter althoug
PAINFULLY Injured, will probably recover.
Capt. Thomas p. simmons Of Friend.
ship, who IL brother Of Henry Sim
mons Was In the city yesterday and
learned the sad news OF the tragedy.
Capt. Simmons is the master OF the packet
schooner Railroad, which arrived ut
widgery's wharf few days ago. He
was of course much disturbed to learn Of
the horrible affair and ~ oncs called up
his " life By long distanoe telephone. HIS
wife confirmed the news and said that
the daughter would probably live. Capt
Simmons says that his brother thought
a great deal Of the daughter.
Henry Simmons ives Well-knoWn
along the water front OF Portland. he
had mot been here for about year.
Capt. Simmons left for home on the
schooner Railroad last evening and will
arrive this morning.