Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-07-13
SHOOTING WAS ACCIDENTAL
David McCuen Says Jack
Powers Was Shot in scuffle.
Preliminary Hearing in Case against
Frank and OrsOn Begor nnd Hollis
Bean Partially Completed Tucs-
day-rowers Not Out Yet.

The preliminary hearing in the case
against Frank and Orson Begor and
Hollis Bean, who are charged with hav-
ing a hand in the shooting of J. l.. Powers
Mt the mouth Of the river. was partially
completed Tuesday in city court. Two
witnesses were examined after which the
case was continued until July "a in order
that Powers might be used as a witness.
He is recovering but is not yet able to be
out The most important fact brought out
during the the hearing was the statement
made by David McCucn, one of the wit
nesses of the shooting, that in his opin-
ion the gun was discharged accidentally
during the scufic between the respondents
and Powers.
Albert Randall. one Of the mon who was
arrested soon after the shooting but who
was later discharged. was the first wit
ness. He testified that he together with
Orson and Frank Begor, Fred Cross and
Hollis Bean went to the mouth of the
river to fish. While there Frank asked
Powers for a boat but he replied that he
did not have any. Frank saw one on tho
shore and jumped in and rowed away.
Powers came out Of the house and called
to him to return and he did so.
Randall said that when the boat reached
the shore Frank made n pass at Powers
but did not hit him. Powers then hit
Frank with an oar. knocked him down and
jumped on him. Powers called for his
wife and as soon as she arrived on tho
scene she told Jack to get up He replied
that he could not as Frank had hold of
! him.
| Il took hold of Franks wrists and then
Powers hit him again after which he let
|hm up" said Randall. Continuing, Ran
dali said Frank cried to Orson. who was
on the lake, that they were trying to Kill
him. Orson and Rean were in the same
boat and they came ashore ut once. Dur
ing this time Randall said he was wipins
blood from Franks face.
| When the men came ashore Randall
said Powers came out of the house with
IA gun and ordered them from the prem
iscs, threatening to shoot if they did not
20 Randall said the three walked to-
wards Powers, who made a pass at Orson
with the gun. Randall was unable To
say whether the blow landed. At about
that time Randall said he heard the report
of the gun, after which Powers turned
and went toward the house dragging the
gun after him. He saw Frank have a
can ana go through motions of strikins
Powers.
Randall said the men had been drinking
some ard that as they walked towar'
Powers, Frank told him to shoot IT M
wanted to- After the gun was fired ran
DAN said his party walked towards thu
railroad track He said he did not SEA
lanyone go back with a club
David McCuen was fishing with some
friends and hearing the row went ashore
lie said that when he arrived Powers mac
Frank down and was holding him. lie dc
mot see Powers strike Frank. lie sait
THAT Frank called his brother and ina
when he came ashore Jack ordered TN
1.-TWO Begors and Bean from the premises
The three then made for Jack VINO tough
Ito keen them away. During the scuf!ie tn
gun was fired and Jack cried that ne wa
shot. He and Mrs. Powers started AT once
for Burlington.
After Jack and Mrs. Powers left McCuei
said he saw Frank come back with a ciuh
There WAS another man with nm IL VII
lat this point that Mccuen SAID the gun
, was fred accidentally. The case is benz
+ nrosecuted by States Attorney Sherman
and l. J. E.nright is defending Mrs. Pow
ers was sworn utsday but dld not tes'i
. fv AS soon as Mr. Powers RECEIVERS sum
ciently he will he called to the stand, not
, ATTORNEYS saying they wanted him for
/ witness,