Litchfield enquirer., 1844-01-11
MURDER OF AMAsA spRAGUE, ESQ

Inc Provldenc journal OF MONDAY adds anoth-
instance to the frightfl catalogue of bloodshed:
Il It is with the deepest pain we have to record
the awful death of Amasa Sprague, Esq, of Grams
ton, senior pastor in the extensive manufacturing
house, Of A. 81 wv. Sprague, who was wilfully and
cruelty murdered on his farm yesterday afternoon.
He left his house about three o'clock to 90 to por-
ton of his farm lying in Johnston, for the pur-
pose Of looking to the proper shelter of his cattle
and about five o'clock he was found Frustrated on
the earth, dead. Upon examination, ball was
found to have entered the front and passed out Of
the back of his head. A pistol was found some
distance from his body, and under such crcumstan-
ces as TO lead to the belief that hasty attempt
made to conceal it. 1t was reported that he had
received, another wound in the body, bntwhen our
informant left the coroner's verdict had not been
rendered, and we cannot, therefore, state it as a
fact.
This announcement carrot fail TO create great
excitement In our community, Though not an ac-
tualresident in our city, his immense business re-
lations led him to be regarded as one of our own
citizens. In all Prerequisites Of energetic, sue
cessful merchant, he had no superior among us ;
and however many may have differed from him in
other respects, his character for Probty and honor
as amerchantwas never questioned. His age was
about forty five.
The Providence Journal of Tuesday states
that Nicholas S. Gordon, and his brother, John
Gordon Irishmen, have been arrested on suspicion
were FIVE wounds on the head of Mr.. Sprague, the
left temple badly fractured, the tr;dge of the
nose was broken, and there was gun shot wound
in the right arm. The appearance of the ground
Indicated that he had had severe struggle with
his assailants. The pistol which was found was
not discharged, although the percussion cap had
been exploded, A piece of a musket stock with
hair clingng to it was found near the fatal spot
His person was not robbed; 1913 and gold watch
were found in his pocket.
The family of the deceased, and the town of
Cranston, have each offered a reward of $1,000 for
the apprehension of the murderers.
The Providence Journal of Wednesday adds -
The chain of circumstantal evidence which con-
meet the two Gordons with the murder of Mr..
Spragpe, grows stronger, and it is now the settled
opinion that they are the guilty parties Yester-
day, VIM, Gordon, brother of the other two, and
Michael O'Brien, were arrested and committed
O'Brien was seen in company with the Gordons on
Sunday, and was known to have had difficulty
with Mr.. Sprague. Robert Gordon, another bro
Their, was arrested, but discharged The mother
of the Gordons has also been arrested.
. The swamp near the spot Of the murder, and in
which tracks were, found leading from that spot.
has been thoroughly explored. A coat marked
with blood was found in it, and gun, much bat
tered and broken in two The gun has been iden-
titled as belonging to Gordon; the piece Of the
stock found near the spot Of the murder, was evil
has not been identified, but it has hole in the ell
bow, and shirt found in Gordons house has a
bloody stain on the sleeve corresponding with the
hole in the coat
The house Of Nicholas Gordon, has been search
ed, and under bed were found two pairs of panta-
looms and one or two vests, thoroughly wet, and
with the appearance of having been in that condi-
tion for considerable time. A pair of boots was
also found wet and appearing to have been rubbed.
In the pockets Of the vest were bullets percussion
caps and gunpowder, the latter corresponding with
the kind in the pistol found near the scene Of the
murder. On the vests were spots of blood, and one
Of the sheets on the bed was also marked with
blood NJ
Two men were seen going towards the fatal spot
shortly before the murder. Two men were seen to
emerge from the swamp on the other side after the
deed had been committed; one of them without
dis ceat. Close to the tracks,of man found lead
ing to the swamp. were tracks Of adog. which was
found in his shop BY officer Shaw, who forced the
door. This dog wears collar Of jagged metal,
and some Of the wounds upon Mr.. Sprague are
such as would be made by such a collar on dog,
sPrihging at his threat The dog is in possession
d. the officers. ,,,-sa -
The woman contradicted. in some respects, the
testimony Of VIM Gordon. She said that The wet
clothes under the bed, ware washed month ago.
she said the dog was in the shop all day Sunday.
but she did not have the key sof the shop. This
was kept " Nicholas Gordon. n
- AN IDEA WORTH THINKING OF. i
We have sometimes heard Wings assert that all
their efforts at the last HFesdentia election were
thrown away-and that business men should never
againS interfere with politics Now LEI rs ask
these men one question:. Il not the present Tariff
werfh q business men al the efforts they have
ever made II the political struggles Of the last
tEelvA years. KeacRnos OOiapnE
egsIs1se Hill. TIE eai,ar q the n. II. Patriot.