Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-01-12
MOST ATROCIOUS MURDER IN
RHODE ISLAND.

The Providence Journal records tho cold
bloodcd murder of AMAsA SPRAoUE. Esq. one Of
the wcalthicst and most es,mable citizens Of
the State. Mr. Sprague was senior partner Of
the great ManufActurinu House Of A. e. w.
Sprague, the junior being the Hon. WILLIAM
SpRAGuE. Senator in Congress from r. Island.
The murder was perpetrated on Sunday He
left his house," says the Journal, "about o.
clock to go 10 a portion of his farm, lying in
Johnston, Tor the purpose of looking to the pro-
per shelter of his cattle; and at about o'clock
he was found Frustrated on the earth, dead
Upon examination, a ball was found to have en-.
tered the front and passed out Of the back Of his
head. A pistol was found some distance from
his body, and under such circumstances as To
lead to tho belief that hasty attempt was made
to conceal it,
There were five wounds on the head two
on the back and upper part Of the head, one inch
in length each, and nearly parallel; ono on the
left upper part Of the forehead, two inches and
a halfin length, and large fracture Of the skull
and laceraton Of the membrane of the brau
causing considerable escape Of the same. About
one inch from the termination Of this, backward
and one inch above the ear, is another three in.
ches in length with corresponding and large
fracture OF the bone this fracture extends to
the back Of the head another on the right side
of the head, two inches and half in length, two
Ihches aoo'e a"u IoIWaru OI the eau WIN asi'sht
fracture OF the Skull. ihere was a confusion
on inc r'sht sIde OF the head extending from the
cheek bone and over the temple, which dcpres.
sed the former, together with large portion Of
bone which forms the right side of the forehead
The skin was not broken at this place. There
was blow on the left temple which fractured
the bone into many pieces the bridge Of the
nose was BADLY fractured there was wound
on the lower margin and front OF the chm, one
and han inch IN length, and a fracture OF the
bone at this pat. There was a gun shot wound
in the fore and rigi,: arm =; the ball entered at
the end of the outside bone OF the arm, at the
wrist, taking an obllquc direction upwards, and
passing out tour inches above its entrance, Oh
: the top of the arm; the ball did not enter his
head. No other wounds were discovered.
| 1t is evident that the murder was not consun,-
mated without a severe strugg se, Mr.. Sprague
was an uncommon = stout and athletic man, and
of determined personal courage. The ground
! bore traces of an encounter, and appearances in
Dictated there mirht have been two assaants.-
The pistol which was found was not discharged.
although the percussion cap had been exploded.
piece of nusket stock, with hair cIlnglng 70
il, was found near the fatal spot ant, the marks
of blood were visible for distance Of severity.
five feet. 1t would seem that the assassine, or
one OF thcm fired at him with mnskct or rifle,
as he was on the brow of slight declvi,y which
Terminated in foot bridge. The ball entered
his right arm at the wrist, as described above |;
and thus disabled, he fel upon his hands, anda-
ter recovering himself, turned towards the
bridge where he appears to have met his assaiI.
ant. Here the pistol was snapped, as would
seem from It's being found at this spot. lie then
passed on to the bridge nearly half way across,
and fell or was Knocked Off A sculle appears
to have taken place here, and the marks o blood
trace the path to direction OF some twenty-five
feet back where the unfortunate man was found
dead, lying upon his face and weerIng in his
blood. The blows on the head appear to have
been given by some smooth blunt instrument,
probably The end OF a musket.
There are strong reasons TO suppose that the
deed was not the sudden impulse of passion, but
deliberately planned. A rock near the spot ai-
lords place Of concealnen', and tracks in the
snow were found leading to it. Tracks were
also found leading TO swamp in the vicinity
but they could not be traced beyond it. His
person was not robbed. Fiity-,hree dollars in
money and gold watch were left untouched
in his pockets Plumber, evidently formed nc
motive for the deed.
f Since the above was written, we learn tina
Nicholas S. Gordon and his brother, John Ger
: don, lrishmen, were arrested yesterday after
noon on suspicion o! having been concerned ii
the murder. lhey were brought before Hen
, ry l.. Bowen, Esq, Justice of the Peace, an,
| committed for examination at future day. Thc
; grounds Of suspicion are as follows Nicholas
:. Gordon has frequently pettioned the tow
council of Cranson for license for the sale o
ardent spirits, but, through the opposition Of NJ
Sprarue, his petitions have been refused. A
the last time his application was rejected, ht
threatened Mr. Sprague, and said he "wou
settle it with him elsewhere" lie had beef
seen repeatedly. within the last week, with
r gun in his hand, near where Mr.. s. was found
v His premises have been searched, and no gul
!, can be found on them, although it is well know
d that he had one. A bayonet, cartridge box, an
!. sword were found. The two persons arres,e
i. are, 60 far as can be learned, the only ones of a
!. the neighborhood who have not visited the hous
i. Of Mr.. Sprarue since the murder. 1t cannt
n now be ascertained how far these suspicious wi
70 be confirmed by testimony. Further par,ic,
,. lars duplicating the Gordons in this murder hay
is come to light, and the mother f the two brnil