Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-04-02
MAY Be MURDER.
Brutal Assault on a Lewiston
Man at Portland.
James Reagan at Greedy Hospital, Ly-
ing in Pfecarious Condition,
From Result Of Injuries Received at Hands NJ
Unknown Parties.

Portland, Me-, April IA brutal "a
sault which ultimately may result, in
a murder. occurred in Simon Rub:noffs
lodging house on Fore street, this fore
noon. The victim was James REAGAN
of Lewiston. about 30 years old. anu
the Greeley Hospital. tonight. The af-
fair is surrounded in mystery and the
police are almost absolutely without
any direct clue upon which TO work.
Reagan. the victim. has been uncon-
scious from the time he was found w.
ing in n pool OF blood in the lodging
house up to midnight. with the ex-
ception of a few minutes this evening.
when he told an attendant at the hos
pital his name and said his home vas
in Lewiston. He added that he came
to Portland this forenoon. from Ken
nebunk where he had been employed
I'm shoe factory. Then he again be-
came unconscious.
When first found ii was thought Re
gan's skull was fractured. but a closer
examination proved this to be an err
rOr. On his head, however. We're a num-
Der of terrible wounds from which
n great quantity of blood had flowed
and it was feared he was dying. Later
he rallied and was removed to the hos
pital.
Two men went to Rubinoff's house
last evening, and asked for n room for
the night. They We're assigned to n
room on the third floor. which con-
tanned three beds, and nothing more
was heard from them. About two hours
la ter four more men applied for lodg
ingS and they We're also sent to the
third floor room.
Both Mr.. and Mrs. Rubinoff claim
that no disturbance occurred during
the night: and nothing was seen of any
of the men until this forenoon. when
one of them came down stairs with a
glass and asked for water. He said he
wished to take some medicine. The
water was given him and he returned
up stairs.
About noon, Mrs. Rubinoff went t.
the room and told the men they must
go out as she wished 10 make up The
beds. one of the men cane to the door
and said they did not care to go out nj
main through another night. She then
informed them that they must pay in
advance, if that was the ease. They
put her off with promises and she went
down stairs to await the arrival OF heI
husband.
When Mr. Rubinof arrived she told
him Of what had taken place and H.
went up to the room and demanded
payment for the room. one of the men
came to the door and after considerable
parlaying the amount was paid.
Mr.. Rubinoff told the lodger that if
the party would leave the room for a
time the chamber work would be done
but this offer was declined.
Nothing more was said or thought Of
the matter until about 3 o'clock this
afternoon, when a colored chamber
maid who was at work on that floor
was attracted to the room by 4 pecul-
lar odOr When she opened the 1oor
she saw the unconscious body of Rea-
gan lying in a pool of blood. The other
dodgers were not to be seen.
Reagan's head and clothing were
covered with blood and there was a
pool nearly three feet in diameter on
the floor. The room was the scene of
the greatest confusion. One of the
three beds was broken down and pieces
of broken furniture were scattered all
about. There was a big spot OF blood
on a mattress on one of the beds.
The girl thought the man was lead
and rushed to the lower part of the
house to inform her mistress. The pO-
lice were notified and they at once re-
moved the unconscious man to the sta
ton house. where the wounds we're
dressed, later removing him to the nos
pital.
The police Immediately went to work
on the case. hoping to find some of the
men who occupied the room. last night
but the descriptions of the wanted mcH
were such as to aid them little. Mr.
Rubinoff described the man he SPOKE VIII
at the door of the room as tail and light
with n sandy moustache and hair. but as
he could not say anything about the
clothing or any Distinguishing marx there
was little to aid the officers in this.
The chambermaid says she IS sure she
would know some of the men If she saw
them again. and added that she though:
she had seen two OF them before in TINS
city. - ,,oo a.
n;vht was that Reagan would again be
come conscious and remain so long
enou.h TO tell them something about nj.
meeting with the men and how the as
sault was committed.