Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2016 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== PENTWATER NEWS PENTWATER, OCEANA CO., MICH. FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 1873 VOLUME II, NUMBER 104. ATTEMPTED MURDER A Man Deliberately Shoots His Wife and Mother-in-law, and Expresses His Satisfaction on Having Accomplished the Deed - He is Committed to Jail for Trial. From our Extra of Saturday On Friday morning, Jan. 3d, a tragedy was enacted in Pentwater, which is a legitimate outgrowth of the cursed liquor traffic in our midst carried on by the devil and his agents, and tenderly fostered by the village fathers and the public. We do not wish to screen the perpetrator of the deed, but do not consider him the only one who should be held responsible before the bar of public opinion for the attempted murder of two defenceless women. Last summer a man named GEO. H. PAGE removed to Pentwater with his family, from Milwaukee. His wife soon opened a millinery shop, and MR. PAGE began to work at his trade, that of painting, in which he proved himself quite proficient. But a short time elapsed, however, before he neglected his business and began to spend most of his time about the saloons that infest our village, frequently remaining away from his home for a week at a time, and then only returning to abuse his family and threaten their lives. His wife went to the saloons and begged the proprietors not to sell her husband liquor, and tried every means to induce him to abandon his cups, but to no avail. At last, after a brutal assault upon MRS. PAGE and her mother, the door of his home was closed against him. Watching his opportunity, how- ever, he again succeeded in effecting an entrance, and stole his wife's pocket book containing some $21, which went to swell the profits of the dealers in liquid death. For several weeks he has been accustomed to prowl around his home at night, breaking windows, and trying by intimidation to compel his wife to allow him to return. At last, on Friday morning, having taken a glass of liquor to steady his nerves for the damning deed, he attempted the murder of his wife and her mother. Entering the room where his wife was at work, and in his haste leaving the door open behind him, he came to her side, and said: "Well, Kitty, may I come home?" His wife arose and closed the door, and then replied: "I have told you before just how it is." PAGE then drew a seven-shooter, and aimed it at his wife's breast. She exclaimed, "Oh, my God!" and threw up his arm. He then pointed the revolver at her forehead, and as she again pushed it aside, the weapon was discharged, the shot taking effect in the left, upper, front portion of her head. With the blood streaming down her face, MRS. PAGE endeavored to escape, and succeeded in getting into an adjoining room, where a second shot was fired, which failed to take effect. A third attempt was made, but the revolver missed fire. The contents of the fourth chamber were lodged in the shoulder of MRS. CALKINS, MRS. PAGE'S mother, as she was endeavoring to escape by another door. PAGE then left the house and went to the Elliott House, where he was immediately followed by Deputy Sheriff HARDY, who, call- ing on F. W. RATZEL for assistance, promptly arrested him. On being asked if he had a revolver, he replied that he had. "I want it," said Mr. HARDY. "What in h--l do you want of it," was his reply. He had both hands in his overcoat pockets, and on taking them out, a revolver was found in his right hand pocket, containing four car- tridges, three having been discharged. Turning to MR. HARDY he said, "You may do what you G-d d--n please with me, so they are both dead." When crossing the street on the way to ESQ. HARTWICK'S office, he saw MR. R. M. TURNER in the street, and with an oath expressed his desire to put a bullet through him. On his examination, which took place Friday afternoon, he refused to cross-examine any of the witnesses, saying repeatedly, "I don't know nothing about it." He is evidently attempting to feign insanity. After taking the testimony of MRS. A. J. WOOD, - who was in the room at the time of the assault, - D. G. WEARE, M.D., the attending sur- geon, and R. L. HARDY, who made the arrest, the prisoner was remanded into custody until 8 P.M. At this time he was again brought before L. M. HARTWICK, ESQ., and committed for trial. GEORGE HENRY PAGE is said to be of a respectable and wealthy family in Portland, Me. He married his wife under the assumed name of THOMAS B. MORETON, and his real name was not discovered by her for several years. When she found out the deception that had been practiced upon her, she insisted upon a second ceremony being performed, which took place in Oconto, Wis., GEORGE H. PAGE, alias THOMAS B. MORETON, being named in the certificate. He seems to be a man of good natural abili- ties, but strong drink has reduced him below the level of a brute. Before the bar of God, we believe that every one who directly or indirectly countenances or upholds the selling of intoxicating liquors, is held responsible for the crime and misery that are cer- tain to follow. Let us each ask of ourselves the question, "Have I done what I could to reclaim the fallen, and to render the business of liquor selling infamous in the eyes of the public." We are happy to say that both MRS. PAGE and MRS. CALKINS are quite comfortable, and will probably soon recover from their wounds. The ball that struck MRS. PAGE penetrated to the skull and then glanced off, and the shot that was aimed at MRS. CALKINS glanced from the shoulder blade. The revolver was quite light, or the wounds would probably have been much more serious. The weapon was purchased of MESSRS. WILLIAMS & GOODSELL two or three weeks since, PAGE stating at the time that he was going to trade it for a rifle belonging to a man in the woods. MR. PAGE was committed to the county jail at Hart, on Saturday, to await his trial. ==========================================================================