Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-08-14
Victim Rum Runners
Continued from Page One)

cit activities of runners, and
that though unsuccessful in the past
in efforts to do way with him, they
maliciously held him up in the dark
ching nine mile stretch of woods last
Saturday evening, when he was even
then on his way home following his
relief, and viciously bludgeoned him
to death.
Death Not Accident
Captain Miller told the Kennebec
Journal last evening that his invcstl-
cation had convinced him that from
the position in which Officer Gooch'
body was found, he could not have
died in the manner first reported.
which was that he had been thrown
from his machine as the result or
skidding on loose surface gravel and
had fractured his skull by striking
on a rock.
AS a result of the report of State
Highway Policeman Frank Hall, VINO
was the first representative or the
department to reach the scene OF the
officers death, Captain Miller stated
that the following pertinent facts
were revealed: That Gooch was
found still astride his motorcycle,
living on his right side with his right
leg beneath the machine, with his
head dropped forward. That with
tho execution of a minor abrasion
on the right knee and dust on MS
Uniform coat on the left shoulder
there was no evidence that he had
been dragged any distance by the
machine. That marks in the road
way showed that the motorcycle had
first struck the road at a point some
forty feet from where the officer ana
h. ~ G
motorists, and that his service cap
was lying at the first spot.
2 Wounds Caused BY Weapon
The nature of the wounds and DIR.
Harris report concerning them give
further material for speculation and
substantiation of the theory that he
was a victim of foul play. OF the
four head wounds two were clean
and two were filled with gravel.
Both of the clean wounds, which
were the more serious and undoubt-
eddy caused the officers death were
on the right side-one on the fore
head and the other at the back OF the
head.
DIR. Harris stated yesterday that he
had no doubt that these two clean
wounds which in his opinion were
caused by a blow from a heavy in
strument, were the ultimate cause OF
the officers death. The wound on the
forehead crushed the skull, while the
one at the back of the head near the
base of the brain caused hem
orrhage from the ear. The two grav-
ell filled wounds were found on the
left side of the head and were COM
paratively minor decorations.
Hit While on Motorcycle
Analysing these facts, Captain MIL
Ter pointed out last night that 1t was
the belief Of those interested in the
that Officer Gooch had
been stopped by occupants Of an
automobile headed in the opposite
direction from that which he was and
that as he sat astride the saddle of
his motorcycle, he was dealt the
blows on the right side of the head
that felled him to the roadway. The
ground received the slighter wounds
on the left side Of the head and on
his right knee. His motorcycle
showed dents on the left side and his
badge. worn on the left breast, was
gravel scratched.
The motorcycle was righted by the
assailants, wheeled the short dis
lance along the road to the place
where it was found with the uncon-
scious officer still astride but lying
on his right side.
Spot Lonely One
The spot where the motorcycle pa
trolman received the injuries which
resulted in his death, is one that
would well be chosen by persons
bent on atrocious assault. The mine
mile" woods north of Mattawamkeag
is a stretch of heavily wooded tim
berland and throughout the length
of the highway traversing the area
the only signs of habitation are one