Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1840-04-24
From The Ne, Camille Janrnnl.

field, detailing one OF the most singular cas-
rs ofcrime, which our columns have chron.
icled for a long time ~ es
North Brookfsid,, April II, 1910.
Mn. EDITcR,--l lake this method TO in
form you OF one OF the most singular and
lrngical affairs that ever took place .iesihis
or any ~ " country WhippIe Barteli,
son Of Eli Barlltt, a man about 2s years
old, committed suicide last Thursday night,
under the following circumstances 1t APP
pears that Mr.. Nathaniel Snow owed him
tabout twenty-five dollars, which he was una.
bic 10 pay, and as Bartlett was niser in
his disposition, it was a source OF great vex.
alton 10 him. and he had inimaled TO Snow,
that if he did no, pay him. he should get
satisfaction in some other way. Mr.. Asher
Rice, who now lives 10 the North part OF
Spencer, also owed him three or four dol
lars, whc b Bartlett found ii difficult TO col.
lect of him.-Cndrr these circumstances,
he came 10 the conclusion 10 seek revenge
by taking their lives and then destroying his
own TO carry out this plan, he went to
New Brainlree and bought load Of dry
wood, and go, the privilege Of laying the
same in Mr. James Abbot's pasture in
Brookfeld Mr.. Abbott thought il very
Strange lha, be should wish to lay load
of wood in his pasture, and questioned him
ms to his object The excuse be made was
that he had hired house in the neghbor-
hood, and engaged man to bring him a
load Of wood, but had just found that he
could not have The house and wished the
privilege OF deposiiing the wood in some
place where il would be ont Of the way
He then collected all his property OF every
kind--packed Ills clothes in a Trunk, and
carried The trunk 10 a house near the place
where he had left the wood, and told the
people he should call for il on Thursday, or
some time in the night. On Thursday,
afternoon, he hired Mr. Cyrus French's
horse and wagon. and started for North
Brookfeld
On the way he met his brother and told
him he wanted ID sell him an axe and lis
fishing spear, which be did and insisted
upon having the pay on the spot, as he said
be wanted every cent that was due to him.
He came overto our place and stopped at
lhelavern, put up his horse. ordered oats
for his horse, and supper for HIMSELF and
requested to have the wagon creased. His
sister was living 10 the tavern, and he talk
ed to her as usual,and got from her watch Of
his which be had lent her. He started
from the tavern in The evening, and was
next heard of at Asher Ree's, where he
called and asked Rice If he could pay him
what he owed him. Rice told him be could
not THAT is very strange" said Bartlett,
you said you would pay me by the first OF
April" And upon that he drew pistol,
and was about 10 fire at Rice, which he
discovering, pushed him out of the door.
He then went to Mr. Nathaniel Shows and
arrived there about 10 o'clock. Mr. Shows
family had all relled but himself and wife.
He knocked nj the door. and Mr.. Snow
opened il, and asked him 10 walk in He
again drew pistol, and fred at Snow. and
hit him on his breast bone--the force of the
ball being broken by striking against met
al button on his vest He stayed ill he saw
| Snow fall&heard him groan,and then ran TO
his wagon. which he had htched al a short
distance from the house. probably 10 prevent,
his horse fiom being frightened by the re-
port of the pistol. He then drove to the
house where he had left his trunk, and
took il and drove TO the place where be had
LEFT the load Of wood. There he deposited
his trunk and other effects and took his
horse out ofthe shafts and hitched him TO
the fence. put a Buffalo skin on him and
returned 10 his funeral pile. lie placed
| himself in such position asihat he thought
he should fall on the wood. which he had
previously sci on fire, and on which be hnd
thrown all his property. He then blew his
brains ont with pistol. but when be fell he
did not fall on the wood, as be intended bot
fell down BY the side Of il. 10 this situa.
lion he WINS found next day, with one hand
burnt oGland one side OF his face burnt to
coal. Il appears thai he was to have DIES.
troyed himself and all his property even to
the last cent. And as his axe and spear
would moi burn, he sold them for money.
In the ashes OF The fire were found about
Ia OF. OF melted silver. and in his pockets
20 or 80 dollars in bills, and his two watch.
es. Three pistols laid by his side, provided,
one for Rice. one for Snow, and one for
himself ~ a
Snow was not much hurt by the ball, and
was able to attend the funeral OF Bartlett yes.
lerday.
i There isno evidence but that Bartlett was
I perfectly sane, and not Immediately under
the influence OF spirit, although his habits
are said 10 have been rather bad of late. aud
in the fire was found the remains Of stone
ljugand decanter. How much influence
rnm had in the transaction. | have not vet had
an opportunity 10 enqnire--for as soon as
heard OF il, | set of in pursuit OF Bartet
and did not get back just before he wa.
buried w
Bartlett was very singular man. The