Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-11-14
LOCATE WATERV|LLE
WOMAN WANTED IN
SHOOTING HUSBAND

Especial to the Kennebec Journan
Waterville. Me-, Nov, 1s-Mrs
Leon B. Cookson. who, Thursday
nlght' shot her husband in the cheek
and arm while he was at the house of
a friend, was found yesterday morn
ing in the small. poorly furnished
mouse on the Oakland road which up
10 about a month ago had been the
woman's home. Deputy Sheriff Will
liam Cole in company with Sheriff
Henry Cummings dicovered her. w.
ing in comatose condition on a bed,
covered with ragged, mouldy quilts.
Sheriff Cummings and his deputies
Cole and Frank Lessard, went to the
neighborhood of the Cookson home
shortly before II o'clock. Inquiry as
to the woman's whereabouts was
made at several houses and it was
then decided to visit the Cookson
home. Cummings and Cole went to
the house while Lessard went to a
nearby neighbours to see If he could
get a key which would fit the door.
Cummings had a key which gave
him and Cole access to the house and
they entered the sitting room in
which there were a few chairs, a
table and a piano. The men saw
nothing amiss and continued their
search into the kitchen. While the
sheriff was attracted by something
in the sink Cole noticed an open
door leading to the bedroom and he
went through it. Mrs. Cookson was
covered with the exception of her
eyes which had a fixed stare. She
was dressed but for her shoes. On q
small table near at hand were found
her hat and gloves, the gloves being
wet. The woman's shoes were spat-
tered with some mud but not enough
to lead the authorities to believe that
she had travelled around much in the
damp night. Mrs. Cookson neither
move nor spoke when the men enter
ed the room.
From the fact that Mrs. Cookson's
shoes were covered with only a NOM
inal amount of mud the authorities
determined that she entered the
house at some time before 3 O'Clock
yesterday morning because at thai
time rain commenced to fall heavily
What Mrs. Cookson did from the
time that she shot her husband a
the home of Livingstone Lyons
where he was boarding. until she re-
turned to her own house is moi
known. Yesterday she would say
very little but she did tell DIR
Towne that she would be willing tt
talk at q later time and Sheriff Cum.
mings will visit the hospital thi'
morning to get the womans story
Mrs. Cookson also told the doctor
that her husband got what was com
ing to him.. At what date she car
appear in court is as yet uncertain
DR.. Towne said last evening although
| it might be that she was feignint
somewhat, she was suffering from
severe nervous shock.
| The woman's husband was out o
| doors Yesterday with his arm in
/ sling and with a bandage on hi
cheek. The 80 calibre bullets hav'
not yet been removed from his body
| It was the opinion of the doctor tina
/, his condition was not serious.
| 1t developed yesterday that countel
| divorce proceedings between the twt
had been instituted. Mrs. Cookson al
legfng desertion. Mr.. Cookson dit
not say on what grounds he wal
! seeking a divorce.
! Mrs. Cookson. who Is % years oil
| was formerly Miss Frances B. Mac
| Donald and she has parents In Al
berta. Canada. and brother. Basi
| Macdonald, in Gardiner. She wal
united in marriage to Cookson.
| year ago last summer but only livet
| with him for week. Since tina
| time she has been at her home onl!
at intervals. Cookson, who Is a
wears old, has been employed at thu
Maine Central railroad yards in thi!
| CITY.