The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-07-11
MADISON BUSINESS MAN
ASSAULTED FRIDAY
Attack Made In Front of His Drug
Store at About II o'clock.

] STORE III ADOut II u tlUths
Edward w. Wright, who is a we'll
/ known Madison business man, Vas
/ the victim of an unproFoked assault
in front of his drug store in Union
1 block about II O'Clock, Friday exc
ming. Mrs. Wright, and Misses Ber-
/ tina Rushworth and Ethel Healey
were standing in front of the store
awaiting the arrival OF the electric
car bound for Lakewood. Two young
men came along the walk, and brush
ing against one of the ladies is said
to have made some impertinent re
marks. Mr. Wright, who was inside
stepped out and stood beside his wife,
but said nothing to the young men.
One of them without any warning
whatever, suddenly threw stone
hitting Mr.. Wright on the cheek and
partially stunned him. The young
men then coolly walked slowly along
to Christopher's fruit store, and then
started on the run. Charles Davis,
another merchant, who was waiting
for the car on the other side of the
street, gave alarm and Deputy Sheriff
Lessore gave chase. He caught the
men, and lodged them in the lookup.
After their capture the men profess
ed not to know each other, and would
make no talk or explain their con
duct. Saturday forenoon, the men
were identified by Mrs. Daigle, who
said their names were Johnson and
White and that she had done washing
for them.
Later investigation revealed the
fact that the names of the two men,
who were supposed to have assaulted
Edward w. Wright, Friday evening,
were Frank Steele and Aaron Smith
instead of White and Johnson as was
first supposed. They are natives OF
New Brunswick.
The hearing was held before Judge
Frank Withee in the Firemens hall
at , o'clock, Saturday. Bernard Gibbs
appeared for the State and W. b.
Brown for the defendants. The first
Witness for the State was Mr. Wright
who told in substance the story OF
the attack.
The next witness was James Herd,
who substantiated Mr.. Wright's state
ments and added that one of the men
said something about paying taxes
and had right TO walk on the side
walk. Mr.. Herd also stated that
there was ample room to pass, and
was quiet sure in his Identification OF
the two men. Mr.. Davis the next
witness stated that he was sure that
the two prisoners were the men that
passed both from their general looks
and the clothes worn. E. w. Weber
was the next witness called, and stat
ed. that one of the men was in his
store earlier in the evening and
bought cap, which he was sure was
the same as that taken from the prls-
oners. and also stated that he rec
ognized Steele but was not sure
whether or not Smith was the man
who came into the store earlier in
the day with Steele and purchased a
cap.
Joseph Bearor of Arson was next
called and told of a disturbance that
took place in the yard at his home
late, Friday evening, and positively
/ identified Smith and Steele as the
men. who made it. Manager Smiley
of the Pastime Moving Picture the
atre told of the circumstances attend
ing the arrest. James Mahaffy told
of seeing a man go by his home on
! Main street on the run, Friday eve
ming. about the time the assault oc-
CURED. and thought Smith was the
man. Deputy Sheriff Lessore told
of the arrest of Smith on Main ST.
in very sweaty condition with
shoes wet as though he had been
running lDTOHSH llit Hlh9'' 49,
exhibited pieces of label torn from
inside Smiths cap in the cell, at the
lookup. Constable Head was tho
last witness and told of the arrest OF
Steele at his room in the Simonds
block, also of searching the room and
finding four bottles of whiskey and
cap corresponding in color and
makeup to that of Smith. At the
close of the States case, on motion
of Mr.. Gibbs, Steele was discharged,
as there was no evidence to connect
him with throwing the rock No evil
dence was introduced by the defense,
and Judge Withee found probable
cause in the case of Smith and the
bond was fixed at $500 Smith was
unable to furnish the bond, and was
taken to Skowhegan for confinement
in the County Jail.