Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-09-10
WHO FIRED SHOT?
Mrs. H. E. HoIbrook Fatally
Wounded at Wilton.
Husband Arrested for Deed but Claims
She Shot Herself.
Fathers Evidence Against Him-OId
Mystery Recalled.

Wilton. Me. Sept 9.-AIrs. Josie Hol-
brook, wife of Herbert E. Holbrook,
was shot either by her own hand or
that of her husband, this morning,
While in her chamber at the home of
her husbands parents, and after ling
cring seven hours in an unconscious
state. died from the fleets of the
wound.
Young Holbrook was arrested within
a short time after the shooting, but
vehemently declared that his wife kill
ed herself after firing two shots at him.
An Investigation failed to show any
track of bullet marks in the room, and
this with the cry of the elder Hol-
brook Herb has shot JOSIE as he
rushed from the house, this morning,
seemed sufficient evidence to the au-
thorities to cause Holbrook's arrest.
A jury was empannelled by the coro-
ner, late this afternoon, to view the re-
mains. and, tomorrow, the inquest Will
be held.
The shooting took place at the home
of Holbrook'S parents shortly before 8
o'clock this forenoon. The couple We're
alone in their bed chamber at the time
and there were no witnesses to the
tragedy. Mrs. Holbrook has not re-
gained consciousness. Consequently
-he only person present when the
tragedy occurred who is able to tell
Of the happenings in the room is Hol-
brock and he claims that the woman
turned the weapon upon herself. His
and
h.. vas placed under arrest and taken
to the county Jail at Pennington.
Although neither Holbrook nor his
Wife bore Il very good reputation in the
community. it is not known that they
ever had any trouble among them
selves, and therefore a motive for the
crime is lacking. The first known OF
the II ouble was shortly before s o'clock
this morning. when the elder Holbroos
rushed from the house and cried out:
Herb has shot Josie" Neighbors who
hal been attracted by the cry rushed
up t. the house and when they entered
found the woman lying unconscious,
paltly dressed, in her bedroom. Ther G
was a great wound in the top of her
head and u revolver lay on the fiocr
at her side. Young Holbrook was
bending over the PROSTATE form of his
wife
Physicians were called, and after a
nasty examination they pronounced the
woman fatally hurt-there was abso-
lutely no chance for recovery, they said
1t was, not thought she would survive
| through the day. Although Hoibrooh
insisted that his wife had caused the
wcEnd by her own act it was decide
| to place him under arrest, and during
| the forenoon ne was taken to the coun-
ty Jail at Pennington.
A peculiar feature about the case IS
that while the woman still lived notice
was sent to q coroner at Pennington,
and he was understood to be on his
way to this town, this afternoon.
| Holbrook never had been steadily
| employed. but had spent a great deal
| of time hunting and fishing in this VI
cinitv. He was known as dead shot
with n rifle or revolver and the opinion
was frequently expressed, today. that
| If was over-confidence in his ability to
shoot that resulted in the tragedy. In
the room where the woman's body was
| found there were two empty whlskey
hotties and a third about half full of
the liquor
MANY believe that Holbrook and his
wife had been drinking together and
that a dispute arose. In the argument
which followed, they believe. Hoibrook
drew his revolver and fired with the IN
tention of frightening his WIFE KEY
| ing upon his accurate craftsmanship
10 attempted to shoot too close and one
of the bullets took effect in the top oil
tho woman's head, just above the fore
head passjng clear through the skull
embeded itself in the wall beyond. The
fact that three shots were fired. and
| Tho necuiiar nature of the wound cauS-
al Nv the only one that took effect
! they claim. bears out this theory
rho present trouble serves to recall q
mysterious disappearance case or nlort
than two years ago in which the Hoi'
brooks figured to some extent. TN Au'
pust 70. 1900, Frank Lannan disappear
ed from his home here and nothing mas
been heard from him since.
When last seen he was in the COM
many If Josie Holbrook on the shore OF
Wilton pond, some distance above tht
viltara He wore neither hat. vest MOI
shoes at the time, and. therefore. IL Il
mo, tbouch he contemplated making
tourney. Also. there was quite sun
lof money due him at the factory Wher'
he was employed here and he never
called for it.
When LannaH did not return .iie pe
lief became very general mere that ~
had been foully dealt with anu 'fe Hoi
brooks were frequently mentioned u
connection with the case.