Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-02-05
A Tale Of Sorrow.

Names anu places IullHl NC ENeH NtIc " HtCSS-
sary, in yeri6caton of the following facts
A man of standing and property, named Major
VIM. W, of Connecticut, was blessed with
family Of kind, intelligent obedient sons. Two
of them-the eldest and best beloyed-early receiy-
ed each his portion, and took their several ways to
distant portions Of the country, intent upon estab-
fishing themselves in the world and carving out
their own fortunes. They we're each possessed Of
an excellent common school-Cnneclcut common
Standardization and were well calculated TO
make their way in the world"
They departed with fathers and a mothers
blessing resting upon them, aud were remembered
with tearj and earnest, hopeful applications before
the throne OF mercy, ere their first days journey
was ended.
period Of nine years rolled rapidly by, and
among the innumerable changes wrough, during
that time was the removal of Maor W
from the land Of steady habits-glorious, londly
remembered, ever loved Connecicut-to the "far
West'-a comprehensive term, which means any
locality between Western New York aud the Pa
c6c Ocean.
He was a man of sterling character true New
Englander intelligent, perseyerng, honest shrewd,
aud wltha little ambitious The Major dabbled
much npolitics, and being good practical writer
and speaker, in a year or two reyolutionzed the
country in which he was settled. Gratitude and
political power rewarded him first with seat in
the State Legislature, and second with the sher-
ifTality.
A better sheriff than Major W that coun-
try had never been favored with During the first
year Of his administration the salutary effects Of
perseverance and good counsels seen and felt
During the second year Of his official life, no.
torious yagabond known through the country as
Bill Winchelsea alias Caulkins, alias Ford, and a
half dozen other assumed names, after long course
ofpetty crimes, repeated convictions and escapes,
was at length charged with the preparation Of a
foul murder A widow, who resided mile or
two from the country town, and who reported
wealthy, was found early one morning in June,
lying upon the floor of her barn. few rods from
her house, with her throat cut aud her body dread
fully manged with axe. II known that
Wnchelsea had been at the house late the evening
previous, and that he declared that he would lodge
there that night Soon as the murder was discover
ed, search was made for him, and he could nowhere
be found. Suspicion naturally settled upon him,
and the hue and cry given.
Sheriff W--sent out his deputies and a strong
posse and accidentally receiving information which
led him to believe the murderer had fled down the
Mississippi, he set out alone in hot pursuit. lie
traced what he believed to be.he "tral" of the
mscreani down as far as St. Louis, and there lost
it entirely and gave up the chase as irutess. As
he was preparing to return, he was taken suddenly
i'll of a fever, aud for many weeks lay in half
that time he began to conyalesce, aud ere long
recovered so far as TO be able to return home.
During his absence. Winchelsea had been appre-
hended tired, convicted upon proof so positive that
the Jury found verdict of Guilty of wlful muir
der" without leaving their box, and sentenced him
to the ignominious death Of the scaifold.
Major W reached home the day APP
pointed for the execution. Being yet feeble he
begged to be relieved from the painful duty Of hang
~ - a., FIJI
one ofhis deputies
The hour fixed upon for the dreadful murder
which the law has legazed came round. At that
moment messenger arrived to inform Major W
that the deputy had fallen upon the scafold in an
apoplectc it and that the execution stayed his arrl-
val. There was no alternative. The sheriff though
weak, and totally unfit for the terrible task, felt
it to be his duty to promptly obey the summons.
In few minutes a rolling heavy hum, aud an
unusual commotion in the ranks of,housands gath
cred to behold the shameful death of fellow crea-
ture gave evidence the arrival ofthe sheriff. The
cuprit was dressed for the grave, the fatal rope
encirced his neck the cap, drawn his face by
the deputy before the fit took him, at his request,
remained as it had been adjusted A brief prayer
was offered up to God in behalf ofthe poor wretch,
whose last minute had come. The clergyman and
the sheriff then took him by the hand and babe him
farewell. All things were ready. The vast crowd
was hushed to breathess silence. w Ith n sudden
movement the sheriff cut the cord, the drop fell
and the murderer was hanging by the neck between
the heavens and the earth
A few conyulsiye struggles, and all was over
justice was satisfied. The multiiudes dispersed to
their homes,-But the tragedy had not reached its
close.
After hanging the usual time the body was 'cut
down." to be delivered to the physician-ior friends
the dead man had none--no, not one. The sheriff
remained 10 assist in this last ceremony. One
removed the shoes, and another. the long gown,
and the sheriff himself pulled off the cap. The
body was then lying face downwards. moment
after it turned over and in the liyld, distorted,
ghastly features presented to view, Sheriff. W
recognized the countenance of his ocn son his eld-
est his best beloved, his long lost son.
One long minute he stood with straining eyes
and upliled hands, speechless the clay he gazed
upon. Then with groan Of utter agony he fell
upon the body crying out, "My son oh my son Z
my son p
lie never spoke again. Death came to his
relief
The son was indeed the murderer. Bad compa.
1 ny led him astray after he left home in Connecti.
cut lie soon squandered his money, and will
that went his friends Want stared him in the
face. Hunger pinched him sorely. Shame and
pride sted the half expressed desire 10 return like
the prodigal son to his fathers house, confess and
repent. Temptation took him captive, and he
became petty larceny thief, then robber, burglar
counterfeiter, and finally after long course Of
crime closed the catalogue of his msdeeds will
the capital crime Of murder-murder committed