Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-01-14

among the trees. Beng still determined 10 |
gain my purpose, continued to follow them
as cautiously as | could, moving when
they moved, and stopping whom they
stopped, to prevent being heard. After
awhile they left the road, and, striking of
to the south, continued to make their way
alongin line running parallel withthe shore
of the pond, till they came abreast Of the
Neck, when they halted near clump of
white birch trees. Here there appeared to
be pit or hole formed by the turning up of
the roots OF a tree, and into this hole they
dropped the dead body, and commenced
throwing on il dirt and rubbish. watched
them TIL they filled up the hole. and were
beginning to cover the place over with leaves
and throw on brush wood, when silently
Withdrew from the place, and with hasty
and trembling steps, making my way back
as best could in that fearful swamp, | at
length reached my horse, mounted, and rode
rapidly homcward. When | had arrived
there and put up the horse, went directly
omy sleeping-room and threw ol1'my clothes
which | had Just done as the clock struck
two. then got INTO bed, but never for one
moment closed my eycli,ls through the rest
of that dreadful night. This was Thursday
night, and heard nothing more of the affair,
or olthc men engaged in ii, till the next Sun
day, when one of the same men came along
and requested me to get into his wagon, and
take ride with him to the tavern on south,
| consented; but instead of keeping on the
main direct road, he took me several miles
round, over the hills, and approached the
tavern from another direction. When we
got to the tavern, he bespoke room, under
the pretence Of doing some business without
being disturbed /; and having taken ne into
it, he locked the door, and here we remain.
ed together several hours, talking over the
| only subject that either he or could think
Of Here he renewed his offers of money,
and promises ofas much more as !, at any
future time, should want or ask for. But |
insisted on having, in addition, some paper
signed by him and his confederate. to secure
me against them, lest they should be tempted
to swear against me. And, after awhile,
itaring to offend me, perhaps, he consented,
and wrote kind of instrument about in these
words:
"f G. e. shall mciolabW and forerer
keep certain secret entrusted to hm-this
shall entiHe him To any sum of money he
shall demand. and me hcrcJy eroncrote
him t''om horing any hond in tie hansac-
ton IN which said secret refcrs."
"l1c then signed the paper with his own
name, and that, also, Of the other man and
delivered it to me, with IA great many eau
tons about keeping il from every eye.
ave then had some conversation about
the deed itself, and the man they had thus
pnt out of the way. And, in the course of
this conversation, learned that the man was
a foreigner and ii Scochman, and he having
stopped in their village, they had brought
him into the vicinity Of the pond, to look at
some valuable horses. also gathered, that
he had trunk, which fell into their hands,
containing about twelve thousand dollars,
mostly in gold.
"Aficr this, he having talked over the
matter as much as he wished, and advised
me how to shape my conduct, we left the
tavern, and went home"
c. having, thus far, gone on uninter-
rupted through the main part Of his astound-
ing disclosure, Mr.. b. now began to take a
part in the discourse, and long conversa-
ton, on the subject, cnsued between them
in which G.. further disclosed, that he had
since frequently seen and convcrscd with
these two man, and had received from them
at various times. toward ii thousand dollars in
money, which, together with goods, they
always paid on the spot, or on very short
notice, when asked for. At one time, one
Of them took himto his room, and showed hin
the trunk which they took fromthc murdered
man,as welas large and richly lowered silk
vest, which, among other valuable articles, i
contained, and winch was now urged on hi
(C.'s) acceptance. At other times, one OF
both of these two men had urged HIM to take
journeys with them to the cities, which the,
assured him slloud cost him nothing. This
offer, however, he "darc not accept, les
they should Contrlvc, when they got hin
/ from home, to have some accident happier
TO him" lie further stated, that they be.
the paper one of them had given him, ant
| were constantly importuning HIM TO give
: up, winch he had as constantly refused tc
, do, knowing that they would not dare us'
any other means than entreaty, to obtain it
/ lie also told Mr. B. that this secret "hal
been a pcrtrct he'll to him ccer since tn
affair hGppencd," and he feared it woul,
wear him down till he did. 1t had alreah
! destroyed his health so far as to induce hin
c to give up farming for the lighter business q
+, storc-kecping.
e After finishing his revelations, c. otlerc
o to tell Mr.. B. the names of the two men
; whom history had so decpv implicated, an
>, show him the paper which he had receive
/: from them, and which. he said, he had i
:, a small pocket, or bag, worn next his Skin
u But Mr.. b. telling him he did not wish I
II know who the men were, begged of him I
:, keep both names and paper to himself. C
d however, persisted so Far as to give sue
= descriptions of the men, as left no doubt, i
d Mr.. BIS mind, as to their identity.
Is The next question discussed between {
II and Alr. b., was, what course, under n
i tho circumstances, ought to be pursued
> And as Mr.. b. was strongly opposed to III
$ punishment of death for crime, and as h
If sensibililcs were touched at the thought {
g being the means of pluneing the innocen, f.
+ miles of these criminals into sorrow and di,
grace, by bringing them to the gallows, for