Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-04-21
Mrs. Cogeing's Story

On the witness stand Monday morn
ing Mary Coggins told the following
story: / was awakened on the night
of Jan. IA by someone putting hand
on my cheek. There was no light in
the room and the moonlight shone in.
l recognized my former husband. He
saw me take up revolver / had and
made a grab for it. throwing me on
to the bed again. We scuffied and I
screamed. My mother and father came
to the room. 1t was not more than
10 minutes from the time that he en-
tered the room before they heard my
screams and came.
Mrs Coggins denied that il was "a
hours after her husband cames in that
she screamed as he had testified.
When shown a revolver she admitted
that she bought it at Mason & Halls
in Belfast just before Christmas. Said
1t had never been fired that she had
never fired it or any other. Admitted
whiting a letter to Mr.. Hills and ask
ed him not TO tell that she had done
SO. Said that on the occasion Of her
going to Surry in August, prior to the
divorce in September, that she and
her husband held devotional exercises
in their chamber, kneeling by their
bed with their arms about each other,
after reading the Bible and that he
prayed that Ibis dear little wife have
a pleasant journey and safe return"
She said that few days later on her
return she found their home broken
up and locked and he had left her.
Said her age is now 20 years and that
she was married 10 months before
they were diyorl ed. Had known Mr..
Hills about six years and kept COM
pany" with Tim about two years. De-
MED that she had ever had fits of
temper" or thrown things at or slap
ped her husband. Denied ever slapping
his face because he offered a chair
TO another girl. Denied going to Hills
house on the 9TH of January or going
part way or seeing him on that date.
Told of her bruises after the encount-
err with Hills and of splitting blood
and OF other effects of 1t.
Frank cogsins
Witness said he was the father of the
respondent and that he was awakaned
about 40 or 5 o'clock on the morning
of Jan. is by his daughters screams.
Ran to her room and saw man on her
bed. Thought his son was having a
nightmare and called him by name.
Daughter cried TT is Milton Hills, Wit
ness threw Hills to the floor and saw
that he had his hand locked with that
of Mary and that both were holding on
a revolver Both fell to the floor. Mary
said the revolver was hers, but Hills
chung to 1t and wouldn't give it mp. FL
xxyifa md
got the revolver away. 1t had not been
discharged. Daughter was very hysteri-
cal and next day a doctor was called.
Witness said that Hills got up Off the
floor and went downstairs. followed by
young Coggins the son of witness. Next
morning witness found tracks were a
man had left the house and gone TO
telephone pole not far away where a
horse and sleigh had been hitched the
night before according to the tracks
made. There were tracks of man in rub
hers going to the house and OF one in
stocking feet coming out. Denied that
Mills had cuts or black eyes when left
house. Said he was bleeding from the
n1outh-a tooth evidently.
Mrs. Frank cosgins
MOtneT
awakened by her husband and then
heard screams. Went upstairs and told
about the same story. Said that she
didn't go to bed that night until about
11.sO as she and Mary sat up sewing get
ting the latter ready to go to Bangor to
a commercial college. Didn't know Mary
had a revolver Said doors were not
locked that night and were frequently
left unlocked at night especially the
shed door which came into the kitchen.
Gerald Coggns
Brother of respondent. Said that he
slept in room across hall. Heard noise
and went to sisters room. Found father
and mother there and Hills on the floor
with revolver in his hand. Helped get
it away from him by breaking his hold.
Followed Hills down stairs, through the
kitchen and into shed, where Hills picked
up a fur coat and cap, took them under
arm and went out 1t was moonlight and
witness saw Hills go to a tree near a