The Somerset reporter., 1904-12-15
Accidental Shooting

Fred Butler of Cornville, young
farmer, was accidentally shot, Saturday,
by his companion, Morris Gaylord, IN
Pierce Pond Township, about nine miles
from Caratunk, where the two men had
gone for weeks hunting. They were
neighbors and had left together for the
Pierce Pond region last Friday morning.
They started out to hunt on the follow
ing day and toward noon became sepa-
rated for time. Mr.. Gaylord had been
closely on the track of deer all Of the
torenann, and seeing an Obi ct moving
directly In advance, fired, only to make
the horrible discovery that he had ia
tally wounded his fellow huntsman. The
ball took effect In the thigh, breaking the
bone and cutting one or more large ar
teries. Men from numbering camps not
far distant assisted Mr.. Gaylord to do all
that WAS possible for the stricken man,
but the wound was beyond their skill
and Butler died within three hours after
the accident.
The body was brought to Caratunk
and from there WAS taken on Sunday to
Buffers home, which Is situated on the
road from Skowhegan to Athens, just
over the Skowhegan town line. Funeral
services were held Tuesday forenoon,
conducted by the Rev. II. F. Huse, and
interment was made at Skowhegsn South
Cemetery.
Mr.. Gaylord came to Skowhegan Mon
day morning and permitted himself to
be arrested by Sheriff Lang, the warrant
being issued under the special act passed
by the legislature of Maine in 1901. He
appeared before Judge Bachelor at the
Municipal Court and was bound over to
the December term Of the Supreme Judi
cial Court, A. G. Blunt and Frank R.
Steward becoming sureties. The State
was represented by County Attorney
George w. Cover, and Butler & Butler
were counsel for the defendant.
Monday morning Coroner L. j. Add.
ton was apprised Of the incident and re-
quested to perform such duty as he had
in the matter. After brief investiga-
ton he became convinced that there
were no circumstances connected with
the afflr that would make an inquest
necessary.
Monday afternoon Mr.. Gaylord and
A. K. Butler, Esq., his attorney, accom-
panied oy Sheriff Lang, left for Cara
funk and on Tuesday they made care
full survey of the acene of the shooting,
all returning here on Wednesday.
The incident is sad ending of what
had been designed by the two neighbors
as a period of recreation and pleasure.
Mr.. Butler leaves widow and two
young children, who are plunged into
sadness by the sudden loss of husband
and father. Mr.. Gaylord, MS may well
be understood, suffers intensely in his
feelings
There have been TIVE. similar incidents
~ Somerset county since the passage OF
the act above referred to- The first oc-
Cured in Maytield in 1901, when Harry
Hilton mistook his comrade for deer
and wounded him severely, though not
fatally. He was brought to trial, con-
victed and subjected to slight fue. In
the other case, occurring in Askwith
about one year later, the shot was iata
and the hunter WAS arrested and the
evidence presented to The grand jury,
but no indictment was found. In case
of indictment under this act the statute
provides penalty of imprisonment for
not more than ten years or fine not ex
ceeding one thousand dollars.