Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-26
CONFLICTING STORIES
Concerning the Shooting of Cit
izen by National Guardsmen
at Biddeford

Biddeford Ne. May 25-Thursday
evenings Biddeford Journal had the
following:
Several witnesses have gone before
Aajor John a. Hadiey. who is in charge
of the two companies Of I'd Maine Inf.
making their headquarters in Saco and
patrolling the Boston q Maine railroad
bridges in this vicinity, in connection
with the shooting of Hassan Selman at
the Smith street bridge by Corporal
Philip Simard on Wednesday afternoon
While nothing is given out for publica-
ton il is claimed that the witnesses
disagree in their stories, and the i'm
preston prevails that the soldier will
be eaoncrated in the case Of the death
of the Biddeford Albanian.
John Welch and Joseph Nartel, en-
ployed in the Saco-LoWell yard as team
sters. were questioned Wednesday eve
ming by Major Hadley. The two men
were nearby and claim to have heard
the guard and the Albanian talking. and
then shot fred. They could not tell
what the two men were talking about
and they did not see either man until
then went to where the Albanian lay
on the ground.
The officer OF the day, who arrived on
tie scene soon after the shooting Wednes-
day afternoon. inquired IL there were an,
witnesses to the shooting, but no one
made any reply. At that time the brother
Of the man who was shot was dragging
him away from the place where he fell,
and the officer OF the day ordered him -
let him alone until physician had ar
rived
The story is in circulation tina: the AL
bantam was on level ground on the street
when he was shot, but the wound which
caused Selman's death would indicate
the. he was standing below the soldier,
who was up on the banking at the time,
according to some witnesses
Corporal Smard still cl!ngs to his first
story. which was to the effect that the
Albanian was defiant and SAID he would
cross the Smith street bridge. and after
he had told the soldier to 20 to the no,
place and called him an unwarrantel
rame. Corporal Simard said he fired the
shot. He did not shoot. he said, until he
was sure the Albanian was going TO try
to get by him and 60 over the bridge.
ard he then carried out the orders not TO
allow anyone TO cross the bridge w!thou,
the necessary pass.
In connection with the arrest OF Cor
poral Simord on orders Of the officer
Of the day WHO is a member Of Co. D
Of Norway, the Portland Press had
long story this morning about the
hiunder Of York county officers in ar
resting the soldier. Even the officers OF
the company had to laugh when they
read 1t. The local authorities had moth
ing whatever to do with arresting Cor
poral Simard. Chief Stone talked with
Simard in the presence OF the officer Of
the day a. the Saco JAIL who willingly
granted tho chief permission. Aside
from that no action was taken either
by the chief or County Attorney Frank
lin r. Chesley of Saco. They investi-
gated only as far as necessary in con-
noction with various rumors. II Chief
Stone had arrested the soldier he would
not have locked the man UP in the Saco
Jail. but would have brought him to
this city and placed him in the local
police station. County Attorney Chesley
and Chief Stone have assisted Major
Hadiey in connection with his invcati.
CATION
The York county authorities know
that they have no Jurisdiction In the
matter and to make sure, County At
torney Chesley got in communication
with the attorney general Wednesday
evening
The Maine law states:
Section 1888. The National Guard
when called as such into the service
OF the United States shall, from the
time they are required by the terms
OF the call to respond thereto. be sub
)ect to the laws and regulations gov
erning the regular army. 80 far as
sueh laws and regulations are applic-
able to officers and enlisted men whose
permanent retention in the military
service, either on the active list or on
the retired list is not contemplated by
existing law.
Under the United States army reg
uiations. In time of war, any soldier
committing various crimes. including
shooting. shall be heard before gem
eral court martial and sentenced II
f0nNd u.,tyk.,