Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-09-16
Dreadful Murder.

We copy from the Boston Traveller of last
evening, the following particulars of a dreadful
murder which was committed at Sherborn, on
Wednesday evening:
About half past eight or nine O'Clock Wednes.
day night, frightfu murder was committed in
Sherborn, which, for brutality and ferocity, finds
only parallel in the Taylor murder, which hap
pened in NaticI, just one year ago, and about
three miles distant from the scene of the present
massacre,
The victims are Mr.. Reuben Cousins, farmer
and his wife; and the perpetrator Of the act is
one John Chapman. Mr.. Cousins was about 20
years old, and his wife is about the same age.
We have been enabled from various sources to
obtain the following particulars: 1t appears that
Chapman called at the house Of Mr.. Cousins to
inform him that his son, man between twenty
five and thirty years Of age, had been thrown
from his wagon and badly injured, and required
his assistance. Mr. Cousins was in bed, but his
wife was sitting up knitting; she went and in
formed her husband of the circumstances and he
accordingly dressed himself, and in company with
Chapman, left the house TO mature preparations
for the assistance of his son. Just as he got out
side the door, Chapman struck him on the back
part Of the head with an axe, causing instant
death. Chapman then returned TO the house,
where he found Mrs, Cousins, and struck her on
the front part of the head with the axe, creating
frightful cash across the right temple, and ex.
tending to the eyes The force of the blow knock.
ed her on the floor, where she was found shortly
afterwards, but life was not extinct.
Chapman then broke into the room of an Irish
man who worked on The farm, and attempted to
kill him also, and desperate struggle ensued
during which the Irishman received severe iniu-
res, but he finally beat uffh assailant, who fled
by the back door.
The man after dressing went to the nearest
house and gave the alarm, and shortly after, per-
sons searching for the murderer in all direc-
tons, but without success
Drs. 5. and A. A Whitney of birmingham,
were called upon to attend Mrs c. who recovered
her consciousness and pronounced Chapman to
be the assassin. Il is the opinion of the phys-
clans that she cannot survive.
Mr.. Cousins is said to have been worth between
$4,000 and $4,000, and it is supposed had at
least $1,000 on hand in his house. It is highly
probable that the murder was committed with the
intention of gaining possession of this sum.
The story told by Chapman, that Mr.. Cousins
son was injured was fabrication, got up no
doubt for the purpose of enticing him from the
house, the better to accomplish the murder
Chapman is young man, not yet twenty-one
years of age. At one time he lived with Mr..
Cousins, and was perfectly familiar with the
house and its contents. Subsequently he held a
situation for four or FIVE months in the refresh
ment room Of the birmingham Depot, but was
discharged from there in consequence of being too
frequent in his visits to the money drawer at
the time of the murder he was living with Mr..
Leland in Sherborn
Chapman is native of Maine, and has resided
in and about Sherborn for year or more He
is five feet six inches in height, dark complexion,
black curly hair, full face, and rather dark or ha-
eel eyes. The Selectmen have offered a reward
of $500 for the apprehension of the murderer.