Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-03-29
CONFESSION OF A MURDERER.

The following is the Confession of Hall, just
tried at Middetown, CT, for the Murder OF
Mrs. Bacon:
About the middle Of the week, before the
murder of Mrs. Lovina Bacon, | first resol, ed
to 10 to Ebenezer Bacons to commit theft
knew he was a man of property, and would
probably have money; but did not know OF
his having any particular sum at the time.
knew that Mr.. Bacon's family were in the habit
Of going to meeting, and on the evening oil
Saturday. the 23d September last, resolved to
go to Mr. Bacon's the next day. if il was pleas
ant. No person ever spoke to me about it. nor
did speak to any one. On Sunday morning:
the oath September, ! got up and MIXED ana
did other chores. Oakiam Peck, my wife 5
brother, staid with me the night before 10 the
morning, after breakfast, he asked me IT, would
take walk up part way with him. lie was going
to Kensing,on. | think told him thought of
going another way Before this conversatan,
had killed fowl IN the door yard, by cutting
off its head. ! :hink had on no coat. then
had on my old co hes. Alter Mr.. Peck left
began to get ready to 60 away. My wife want.
ed TO know where | was going. ] refused to
| tell her; she demonstrated with me against
going, and wanted should 60 to church with
her | went away about 0 o'clock. | had on
green coat, saiinet pants, worsied vest and
bombazine stock, the same that were exhted in
Court as having blood upon them. stopped
| two or three minu'es at the barn IN sight OF the
house. | saw no smoke coming from the chin
ney, and the door of the ell part OF the house
was shut, which made me suppose the family
had gone to meeting. then went into the
west yard, opposite the ell part of the house,
and got into the window of the ell part, which
was up. Then | went east into the kitchen,
and from there into the s w front room. There
| i'm has and | n
one in the house, saw the desk in the front
room from the kitchen, the door being open be-
tween. | went to the desk. 1t was unlocked
had opened the desk, and was getting the mo-
ney when Mrs Bacon came in. did not hear
her till she came in at the door. She came IN
at the kitchen door, the same one chat did.
do not know where she had been. She came
up towards me. She had nothing in her hand
She first spoke, and think she said. ais this
you. Mr. Hall!" | think said, | will kill you,
and caught up chair. She said, "You're not
going to kill me are you - and she took up a
; rocking chair to defend herself. She screamed
loud two or three times think sh. sad,
Don't kill me-" She re'reated towards the
kitchen door. struck with the char | held.
and either knocked the rocking char out OF ier
hands or she let il fall. She then turned tn run
into the kitchen. should think then hit her
with The chair on the back Of the head, and thai
G knocked her down. She got part way up, and
a knocked her down again. The blow was Oh
6 the side of her head | think she did not get
! up again, but continued to groan. ] should
- think she rolled over on to her back. The spot
Of blood nearest the door must be where she
first fell The next blow ! gave, was on her
II forehead, should think this hlnw split the bot
!, tom of the chair then took another char and
I. struck her number of times on her head--'
/. might he three four. ! thought still sa"
O. signs Of life, and went into the buttery and go
re the butcher knife that was found on the floor
Y" did this to make sure she was dead. came
2. back anu stabbed her several times IN the breas
es and stomach. ] though; she breathed her las
N after the first stab. | then went back to the
P, desk and finished getting the money. u wa
" during the struggle that cut my hand. II wa
he with my own knife which ] had open ~hen
IN came into the house. had been using ii t
On cut and white the cane. Ny knife, recol
lec, fell on the floor, and picked it up beior
sc | went away, thinking il might be found an
10 betray me. After the murder, and before
went back to the desk, went to the front doc
NJ, to see if any body was coming. When tr'
to went into the house, laid the cane on cha
y, IN the kitchen, near the door leading into tn
y" front room tnd forgot to take It when WEI
ia away. had gone some ways before remeH
le bcred the cane, and then was afraid to go bac
IT. after il. | went back to Merlden as fast as
10 could. took of my coat and carried It on m
AS arm, part of the way. stopped at Fall Broo
and washed some OF The blood off my coat all
ole panlaloons. | did not wash my bosom; thel
ra- was no blood on it, ! returned by the san
zee route came, till ! was opposite Mr.. Baldwin
8" and then went through the lots north of Il
Iou road to the woods east Of Mrs. hrall's barn.
yeI should think ] got back to the barn 10 or
y' minutes past one. hid the money in the bar
sa all except six dollars, which hid in the Carr
lis OF Mrs. Thrall's house. ! went to church
side tho afternoon. stopped at the Congregation
'rls church, because il was the nearest, and W
ar afraid should be too late at the other. ] new
Ns told my wife Of this transaction, or gave her u
ra. slightest reason to suspect any thing about
the but have always declared myself innocent
ing her, nor did ever communicate it 10 any pc
her son till yesterday, when | frs, mentioned it
, ,,s, my counsel. No person participated in
VII, crime, except myself. Bell and Roberts a
J: PERFECTLY innocent. did not see either Of the