Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-04-09
A BUSY DAY.
LOCUS Shooting Affair Aired in
Municipal Court, Monday.
Case Will Come Before Superior Court
Which Sits in September.
Two Search and Seizure Cases To Go Before
the Grand Jury.

! Judge Andrews was one of IN,
busiest men in the city, Monday morn
ing. There waA the continuation al
! the carson case, DRINKS galore. an(
/ two searches and seizures cases no.
lore the court in the forenoon. Five
men came up charged with intoxica
ton. Atkinson Gragg was put on pro.
oduoh; Onler Leplant. John Dacy ana
James Smith were each fined S. while
'aiiles Austin was sentenced to jai
Tor II days, but he appealed.
The premises OF II. r. Lishness and
a. l.. GGs!ln We're searched for in.
toXlcating liquors. One bottle of hard
liquor was found at Lishness' and
three at Gaslin's. They waived TX.
animation. appealed. and gave bond.
Tor their appearance before the grand
jury.
The case which excited the most in
terest was the case in which Edward
cunningham was charged with as
sault with intent to kill on the person
OF Cora Carson Witham. This case
was continued from Saturday. Mrs
Nitham was placed on the stand fin
where size was subjected to a search
ing cross examination by Mr. Sheldon
she insisted that Cunningham came
out ana pushed her away from The
door with sufficient force TO cause her
TO break the window when she Tell
against it. He asked her several
questions about the hat which had
been brought into the court and had
her place ii on her head in the posi-
ton in which it was when the shot
was fired
DR.. Johnson was then called TO the
stand. He said that he was called to
examine Mrs. Williams head about a
week after the shooting took place.
He described the wound as being near
the top of the head about two inches
wide and three inches in length anu of
sufficient depth to lay the skull bare
He described Sthe conditions of the
wound at the time of his examination.
As there was evidence of powder he
felt sure that the gun could not have
been held more than five or six feet
from MIS-. Williams head when ii was
fired. When questioned by MIR. Shell
don as whether powder alone could
have caused the wound if no shot had
been used he was of the opinion that
it could not. but when questioned
further he admitted that he could not
say under oath that there must lave
been shot in the gun when fired.
TIE next witness to be called up Nas
John Smith who had claimed to be the
husband of Mrs. Witham. He told of
coming to TOgus, explained what he
did Sunday. He said that he went to
Cunningham's house where he found
Cora in the afternoon. He told of the
conversation Of Cora and Cunningham
about certain goods. Then he told of
going TO the house of Tom Pollock in
the evening where he and Cora met
Cunningham and several others.
Cunningham went out during the eve
ming promising to return later. but as
he did not come back they left Pol
locks house about 10 o'clock and went
directly to the house of Cunningham
where Cora raped three times. When
she raped he remained about 20 feet
from the door where he could see all
that occurred. Cunningham came to
the door and ordered her away at the
same time giving her a push. He
rushed to her aid and when he came
up he found that she had turned SO
tldl HtE SIloulutl utu VI Ohtii liIV W
dow where she lay when he took hold
Of her AS she started to pick her up
the shot was fired which wounded her
in the head and him in the neck.
John Gardiner then testified that
Cora came to his house on the Satur-
day before the shooting and asked HIM
if he saw Cunningham to send him
down to see her. Cunningham c1me
in while she was there. She then told
Cunningham that she was going to
take possession of the shanty which
he occupied and they had some not
words on the subject. but later while
he did not admit that there was any
thing in the shanty which belonged to
her he promised to give her certain
articles which would be of use to ner
if she moved into the old Carson
house. Cross examined by Mr.. Shell
don he said that Cora threatened to
take possession of the shanty by force
at first and they both seemed to be
quite angry. but later they seemed
to be on friendly terms.
A young man by the name Of Penney
then took the stand. He said that he
left his house after dinner on the
Sunday OF the SNtOtiHS u tdll VII
Cunningham On his way he saw
Cora who accompanied him to Cum
nineham's house. He said the con-
yersation at that time was all friendly
and that Cunningham told her that he
had y mattress which she could have,
and that he had three plates of which
she could have two. She wished the
things and said that she would get
them after dark as she did not wish
TO take them during the day time.
When questioned by Mr.. Sheldon he
said that Cora made an apology to
Cunningham for the language she had
usod to him. but that he did not know
to what she referred.
| William Hall then testified that he
was Mt the house of Thomas Pollock
on the evening in question and that
no saw Cora. Smith and Cunningham
al, there. He heard Cunningham tell
! cora that she could have the mat
! tress. quilts and pillows but that she
n,rst come and get them. They all
drank beer, after which Cunningham
wont out. When questioned he said
that Cora and Cunningham were APP
! parcntly on the best of terms. but he
thought Cunningham had been drink
inc Thomas Pollock cOrroborated this
ana when questioned said that there
was n little trouble between Smith and