The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1908-12-10
AN ATTEMPTED MURDER.
George E. Benson Shoots Stella Moore
Twice and Then Gives Himself Up.

Twice and Then Gives Himself Up.
About half past four last Monday afternoon
George E. Benson shot Miss Stella Moore in
the apartments of the latter over Patterson's s
restaurant on Main street. Two shots were
fired from revolver, the first striking her in
the right arm and the second in the back near
the left shoulder blade. Benson is said to have
been drinking heavily before the shooting, and
for some time to have annoyed Miss Moore
with his attentions. He is supposed to be the
author of an anonymous note received by his
victim, which said, "You have but few hours
to live," and which led her to ask for police
protection. What took place between Benson
and Miss Moore in the hall in front of her room
Monday afternoon may never be known exact
ly, but the generally accepted version is that
Benson urged her to leave town with him and
she finally and fatty refused Then he is said
to have aimed the pistol at her forehead and
snapped it twice, but it failed to discharge
When he pulled again the shot entered her
right arm and as she turned to run another
shot struck her in the back near the left shoul-
der blade. At this time two lodgers in the
house, James Kelley and Cora johnson, are
said to have appeared on the scene, the latter
with a revolver, which she handed Kelly, who
fired two shots as Benson was making his way
down stairs. 1t is not believed that either of
the shots took effect although Benson was
found later to have wound in his face. An
alarm was given and Miss Moore was found
unconscious on the floor of the corridor outside
her room. Drs. Elmer Small and S. w. johnson
were called and did what they could to make
the woman comfortable, but did not attempt
to probe for the bullet. Meanwhile the police
were searching for Benson and about o'clock
the Jail to give himself up.
Miss Moore is the daughter of Fred Moore
of Frankfort, is about 80 years of age, and has
been a resident of Belfast for some years.
Benson, who is about 40 years of age, has spent
most of his life in Belfast, and married here.
He came here from Boston about months ago
and had been employed in Staples bowling al
ley and latterly in a livery stable. He served
in the Spanish-Amercan war, and draws a
pension. His divorced wife, who has married
again, and two children, live in East Belfast
Benson was taken before the municipal court
Tuesday afternoon, charged with shooting Miss
Stella Moore with intent to kill. He was rep
resented by Fred w. Brown as counsel and the
State by H. c. Buzzell, Esq, county attorney
elect, who will have charge of the case when it
comes before the Supreme Court. The wit
nesses were James Kelley, Cora Johnson Geo.
Patterson and Drs. Elmer Small and S. w. john
son, the doctors describing the wounds. Benson
made no defence at the hearing, but it is un-
derstood that when the case comes to trial he
will claim that he acted in self defence, as Miss
Moore had revolver and was about to shoot
him when he fired at her. After the States
witnesses were heard Judge Rogers ordered
Benson held in $1,000 bonds for the January
term of court, and in default of bonds he was
at once committed to Jail.
Yesterday Miss Moore was resting comfort
ably and Dr. Small, the attending physician,
regards her recovery as assured.