Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-11-09

Sheriff c. H. Smith arrived home on
the late train Thursday night from
Greonvile. having in custody John
Williams. whom he arrested in that
town the day before. charged with the
shooting of Ira Sharsgrcen at Somer-
set Junction last Monday afternoon.
TIE preliminary hearing of Williams
was held Friday morning in the su-
preme court room, .. r. Bacheller,
judge of the SkOwhegan municipal
court. presiding. The respondent was
County Attorney T. J. Young of Scion
appeared for the State. There was
large attendance. The warrant was
read by Mr.. Young. the charge being
manslaughter. Williams entered plea
~ not guilty.
Tie State had four witnesses. The
gun with which the shooting was done
WAS introduced by the prosecution. 1t
is an ordinary breech loading double
barrel shot gun. Tho AK with which
the dead man stove in the door was
known as a doubIe-betcd ak, such as
is used by lumbcrnen.
The iirst witness was Thomas =.
E'cnton of st. John, y. =. He testi-
fled: -trn employed in the woods. Was
at Somerset Junction on Nov. 4. Came
down to Bartley's to settle up and got
there at 2 O'Clock. Had dinner at the
BARLEY House. then went to station to
Sharsgrcen ard Fletcher. had been
drinking. Witness had scrap with
SharSgreen first at McDonald's. then on
the railroad track on the way to the
BARLEY House and again in the Smok-
ing room at the hotel. Was present at
the shooting. SharSgrCen left the room
and returned with an AK and smashed
in the glass in tine door. He WAS warn
ed Wy Williams to 90 away several
times. but would not go. Then Will
liamS fired through the door which was
open some eight or ten inches.
CrrSS-cXamined, the witness stated
that they all drank on the train COM
ing Il, wn and we're intoxicated. Had
known :iharsGreen about two months
anG Il half and he was a man who
drank i good deal and was very quar-
rcls"me when drinking. During the
Scran in the Hartley House SharSgreen
was told to go out by Williams and
witness pushed him out. Sharsgrcen
Their said he was coming back to muir
dor him, witness. He had the AK and
struck tho door twice Williams told
him repeatedly to go away. Witness
stated that in his opinion Williams did
not intend to shoot the man. but fired
simply to brighten him. After the
shooting witness talked with the
wounded man. who said he was in the
wrong and that he did not blame Will
liams. They bought no liquor at the
BARLEY House.
James Fletcher was the second wit
ness Testified he WAS a native Of New
castle, n. r., and had known Shars-
green when he was Il boy. Had been
ut work for the Pennsylvania Pulp Co.
Stated that all had been drinking that
day of the shooting. He came down
| the track behind Sharsgreen who was
| behind Fenton. Those two had a little
| trouble on the track. Witness was then
hit over the head with a rock or a bot
tie. he could not tell which. and that
was all he knew until he woke up at
| TlclIiy Dbl dt "
ness stated that SharSgreen was bad
boy when he went to school. and was
| Always locking for trouble.
| Ross st. Germain of Greenville was
| the third witness He saw the wound
ed man there and took his statement
which was as follows:
/ was trying to get in house. Pro-
! rriotor did not want me TO- Had an ak.
Had q kind of recollection that 1 hit
| door with aX. Do not remember wheth-
err the proprietor said anything to me
or not Had been in the house and do
not known why I went out. Thought
his kidneys bothered him. Then said:
'Of course I do not know Took bag
| to c. p. depot and think Jim Fletcher
was with me. Am not sure that Fletch-
err came back and went into house. Had
been up to c. T. depot and Blueberry
house Had been at Burberry house
five or six hours. Tommy Fenton was
with me at the Blueberry house and SO
was Fletcher. Remember that they
went over to G.. P. depot with me. Have
no idea as to time I was at the Blue
berry Mace Had dinner at the Bart :