Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-01-12
MURDER OF MIR sPRAGUE.


Mr. Sprague, failed to elicit evidence to fas
ten the suspicion Of his murder upon any in.
dvidual. DR.. Miller, who was called ia
view the body Sunday evening, found the
following wounds upon 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 ;
one on the left upper part of the forehead,
two inches aud half in length, and large
fracture of the skull and laceration of the
membrane Of the brain, causing consider
able escape of the same. About one inch
from the termination of this, backward,
and one inch above the ear, is another,
three inches in length, with a correspond
ing 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 inches
above and forward of the ear, with a slight
fracture of the skull There was contu-
sion on the right side of the head, extend
ing from the cheek bone and over the tenn
pie, which depressed 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 chin, one
and half inch in length & fracture Of the
bone at this part. There was a gunshot
wound in the fore right arm; at the wrist,
taking an obique direction upwards, and
passing out four inches above its entrance,
on the top of the arm the ball did no; en-
h. lo,I thas a. 4,
covered.
1t is evident that the murder was no; con.
summaied without a severe struggle. Mr..
Spragne was an uncommonly stout and ath-
leic m1n, and Of determined personal cour-
age. The ground bore traces of an encoun-
ter, and appearances indicated that there
might have been two assaants. The pis-
toll which was found was not discharged,
although the percussion cap had exploded.
A piece of musket-stock, with hair cling
ing to it, was found near the fatal spot
and the marks of blood were visible for
distance ofseventy-6ve feet. /. would seem
that the assasslns, or one of them, fired at him
with a musket or rifle, as he was on the brow
of slight decliviy which terminated in
foot bridge The bali entered his right arm
at the wrist, as described above; and thus
disabled, he fell upon his hands, and after !
recovering himself turned towards the bridge |
where he appears to have met his assaianI.
Here the pistol was snapped, as would
seem from its being found at the spot. He |
then passed on to the bridge nearly half way
across, and fell or was knocked of. A scuf-
file appears to have taken place here, and
the marks Of blood trace the path to d.
IF foo k,r ,lor
the unfortunate man was found dead, lying
upon his face aud welterng in his blood
The blows on the head appear to have
been given by some smooth, blunt instru-
ment, probably the end Of musket
There are strong reasons TO suppose that
the deed was planned. A rock near the
spot affords place of concealment, and
tracks in the snow were leading to it
Tracks were also found leading to a swamp
in the vicinity, but they could not be traced
beyond it. His person was not robbed. -
Fifty three dollars in money aud gold
watch were left untouched in his pockets
Plunder, evidently, formed no motive for
the deed.
Various rumors are ahoat, but none Of
them eau be traced to any satisfactory
source. and no motive can be assigned for
the foul deed. 1t cannot, however remain
concealed the publicity of the act. the nu-
merous friends ofthe deceased, and the pub
lie alarm, will all aid in bringing the MUIR
derer to account.
1t is impossible to describe the shock
which this event has given to the whole com
munity. We have, indeed, been familiar
with horrd tragedies; but, where accounts
have reached us of murders committed in
the distance has prevented us from view
ing the crime in its full atrocity. But when,
within our own borders, man well known
and highly respected, is shot down on his
own farm, in the open day, on a public /
thoroughfare, and within sight and hearing
of inhabited houses, it brings home to every {
man, with fearful force, the insecurity of I
life and the audacty of crime. The ques- !
ton rises TO every mans lips, who will be
the next victim 2
Since the above was written, we learn
that Nicholas s. Gordon and his brother,
John Gordon, lrishmen, were arrested yes
terdy afternoon on suspicion of having been
in the marder. They were
brought before Henry l.. Bowen, Esq, JUS C
lice of the Peace, and committed for exam
nation at futrue day. The grounds of sus-
Dcion are as follows Nicholas S. Gordon
mas frequently petitioned the town council q
IF Cranston for license for the sale Of err Y
lent spirits but through the opposition of II
Mr.. Sprague, his petitions have been re.
used, Al the last time his application was