The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1850-03-15
A CASE OF CIRCUMSTANTIAL EV.
IDENCE IN VERMONT, MANY
YEARS AGO.

In the year 1873, one Russell Colvin,
living IN Manchester. Vermont, suddenly
and mys,erousiy disappeared from the
town, and his family and friends not know
ing what had become of him, supposed
, that he had been murdered. Although
GOWN was strange man, and had before
gore off without notice, yet his long abs
sence this time beCnt the suspicion of his
mrrder. Al,cr Coivn had been absen, six
yeats two brothers living in Manchester.
named Stephen and Jesse Boorn, by some
observations. attached suspicion to them-
selves as the muric.ers. An uncle of the
Boorns had stIanga three times repeated
dream, IN which Co'sin appeared to him,
telling him he had been murdered, and
pointing out the spO, where he was buried.
The spot was examined, and large knife,
a penknle, and button were found
These were sworn to as GOWNS by his
wife. In another spot bones and human
nails were found. The burning of barn
Belonging to Eoorn, also log heap. soon
after CoIvn'S disappearance, were raked
up as sureies Of The murder. When the
suspicious against these men began, Stephen
BOorn had left Manchester and could not
be found. bat Jesse was arrested and char.
gel with the murder. A!ler long exami-
nation no evidence could be found sufficient
TO hold him; but in questioning him he
impressed with the idea that his brother
Stephen had murdered Colvin. He de-
scrihed a quarr-! between Stephen and
Colvin, in which the former struck the
latter with club or stone, and perhaps
killed hrm. Upon this, Stephen was ar
rested. A sen OF Colvin's also swore to
seeing Stephen knock his father down.
Finally the evidence accumulated agains,
both the brothers, and became 50 strong,
that both wore committed fer trial. Public
opinion had fully condemned them. Upon
this they pleaded no, guilty. They were
| tried on the 9Th OF October, 1919, and the
jury. after an hours hciheratlon, found
Them guilty. and they were sentenced to
be huIr Oh The 2Sth of January, 1920. By
a s,rorlr effort Of those VINO ,houoht Jesse
less guilty than Stc,Ihen, his sentence was
commuted by the legislature to imprison
ment for life. VLc nry. L,erinel HAYNES
was she clrrgyman in attendance upon the
Bo,rns. From S;rppbcu's manner of denial
or ,ha loal bo s,,.,,,, ,o,;.yoJ bin, ;,-
noca,, No, ,on,,,,,, s,.,no,,. ss,,encs
- I.,,er was rer,;yaJ fran g. Gor,,er -,
Dovor N.w 1arsa, vlo had road ,be ,,;,,
or ,ba p,o,,s on1 who loew coIyi, w.l
This le,,er s,a,el tim, Io,vi, Twas .,;vo
uh.ro H.. no., hy;n, .i,.e 1910 IN
Naw 1.,sor rt;s ,s,o,,,., III. who,,
,,,. ,.,,. .,, ,.r, :,
"'''es were ueSi'"'e"'" ~ N'" '''seV'-
Gown was found. ana brought on TO MAN.
chester. An intense eScrehient was crea
ted in Manchester. where Stephen B1ora
was in chains. When CU!vln saw him he
exclaimed, "Whatare those chains for!'
because" replied BDurn. "they say
murdered YOU" Colvin answered, "you
never hur, me!' The Boorns were Of
leased rrom cus,oJv. BAT as they were
no, liked in The nrichborhooJ. 70 compen>
sat;on was awarded Them fer the perils and
ruino,s I;,;o,,,o, y,h:rh ,Lav sufrsrel
The absepr. or Calvin was at,ribu,.d IN
l.r,,oemep, ,or H.. dil ma, and woulJ