The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-12-07
HARD CIDER
 LURES ALLEN
 TO HIS DEATH State Police Hold Charles Lobdell for Shooting
 Youth Latter Is Respectable Eas- ton Farmer and Claims He Shot In Self Defense

SnOG LII SGlI OSLOuSG
 'crve lived in this house for g years; thought it wasn't right for anyone to chase me out of my own home, so I shot him. Perhaps I should have shot him in the leg, or somewhere else, but I had to protect myself. I have never had trouble with anyone and I'm not looking for trouble with anyone. especially any of the Allen family"
 This is the explanation made by Charles Lobde11, highly esteemed resident of Easton. to State Policemen VirelH and Wheeler, when they arriv- ed at his farm house in Aspetuck, reused him from his slunlfberS and took him into custody, following the death of Arthur Allen of Easton.
 Today Lobdell was held in custody of the State police. pending the action of Coroner Ehelan. It was generally believed in Easton that a man of Lob delFs peaceab1e disposition would not have figured in shooting affray had he not been driven to desperation, and the prediction was general that he would be exonerated if a formal charge was ever brought against him.
 I.obdell was taken by automobile to the home of Rowe Wheeler, the State policeman of stratford, with whom he spent the night, and today he was de tained in the Wheeler home. Owing to the unusual circumstances of the case, Wheeler did not want to impose
 
 and he allowed him the freedom of the Wheeler home in Main street, Strat- ford.
 It is not unlikely that Coroner Phe- haps on bail, before night. He was out of the city today, but on his. return the State police planned to to lay the the delay. There has been no formal complaint issued. but I.obdell has not raised any objection to being detained reasonable time.
 LobdelPs version of the shooting varies considerably from that of Char les Allen, the uncle Of the dead man. The latter admits; however. that he he had enough, even before he and his nephew drove up to the Lofbdell farm to demand more.
 Charles Allen with his nephew, Arr thur, were driving home from inspec- tion of a tract of timber land, when they stopped at the Ogden farm. The rocate for their having chopped down a tree for him. gave them cider. They were returning home when the nephew su suggested calling on Lobde1l.
 He says that they refined in their horse as they reached the Lobdel1 place, and the nephew jumped out He saw Lobde1l in conversation with the nephew, saw the nephew turn away as if to rejoin him, then heard the shot and turned to see his nephew on the ground.
 trlSQ LOJ DICK up IACA | he was dead so I drove on hone," is what he told the State po- lice.
 Lobdell, the prisoner. is widower. 51 years, of age He comes of an old Fairfield county family, and has re1a- lives in this city, Stratford and Fair l field, all well known.
 He has three sons, Herbert, employ 1 TN,T~ T@ke A .hur, in Platt's garage, this city; and l Ernest, aged about 17, living at home. 1
 Allen, whose body is now in custody 1 'f the l.. E. Richards Underta King co. ,on for a number of years. His fa- | her, Alexander, with the rest of the l 'ani1y. recently came to this city. Alexander, better known in Easton as | Alec, is a tearnster for Dfckie Bros. | There are several other children.
 The version Of the shooting advanced y Lobdel1, and corroborated by his 'on, Ernest, is as follows:
 Lobdell was in the back yard when he Aliens drove up. The younger nan went to the back yard. and ac- leil saw they were drunk and said: | 1
 q don't want to talk to you"
 you've got to talk to me- was voung Aliens reply. The next Lobde1l knew he was struck 'n the head, from behind Then he truck back. He fled before Allen.
  inc physique. The younger man hased him to the front yard, thrice round a maple tree. Then LobdeH houted, to his son Ernie to bring -un.
 The boy thrust a shell of No. 6 shot nto one barrel of a double barreled ,un, and gave it to his father At his time the elder Allen had jumped rom the wagon and shouted, eff you ant do him, I can"
 The two cursed LobdeIl and started or him.
 ssBoth of them had the reputation of cling fighters" said he.
 "Tm not a fighting man, but bought I ought to defend myself. ont know whether had any right 9 shoot him. I fired at his breast. 'I might have run away through the the idn't feel that ought to run away rom my own home. from the Aliens" He spoke with tinge of bitterness. ,r he said the Aliens were regarded g distur-hers in the com nmunfty. 8 disturbers in the community. { srious as this I might have given 1en cider to get rid of them. But 2 er'' It was nearly o'clock this morning { hen LobdeI bade his son Ernie, the | nly other inmate of the house, good ( ye and set forth in custody of the l ate police. ssDon't worry, son; I'll be back, / Lobdell said that after the shooting. ( le uncle shouted something about get ng a doctor, and that he then drove way leaving the nephew lying on the ,wn in front of the LobdelI place. As 3 drove home, the hard cider over sme him and his horse wandered off le road into a quagmire and neigh prs had to help rescue the beast, and b art Allen home afoot. V Lobdel1 then sent to neighbors for t d, had doctor called, and climbed V to Dr. F. J. Adams automobile and b de to Bridgeport supporting the vic c m. Allen died in the hospital about V 30 Meanwhile Lobde1I returned to N s home in a team driven in by a n ,ighbor. \ At the hospital I1obdell spoke of vis- F ing Police Headquarters, but on the T lvice of friends be returned home. |