Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1854-06-30
Shocking Murder.



1t is our painful duty to record one of the
saddest tragedies which has occurred within
our State for long period of time. On Sat
urday evening Alexander Hewitt, a resident
of Blackstone, had serious quarrel with his
wife, both of them being somewhat addicted
to the use of Intoxicating hquors-and finally
the wife fled for refuge to the house Of
neighbor named Grin Brown. She was fol-
lowed by her infuriated husband, who, upon
being refused admittancc at the door, pro-
ceeded to IA window, where seeing Mr.. Brown
within, he drew revolving pistol and shot
him dead. He then fred at his trembling
wife, who was in the same room, but missed
her ; and she, leaving the house, cndeavorcd
to make her escape by the back door. lie
pursued her, however. and having at length
ovcrtaken her. held her at arms length while
he discharged two bullets at her head. both
of which took effect, one of them passing en-
tirely through, and the other lodging within.
The wounds were not attended with an immc-
date fatal result. The unfortunate victim
of his rage was still alive this morning, but
without any prospect Of recovery.
After the consummation of these terrible
deeds-the murder of his wife and neighbor
Hewitt fed to the woods. At an early
hour this morning, however, he returned and
delivered himself up to the officers of justice,
saying that he had as lief be arrested as not,
for that he had taken strong dose of poison,
and could live but few minutes. Shortly
after his surrender the effect of the poison be-
gan to be manifest. and the murderer stagger-
ed, reeled and died.
Since the above was in type we have re-
ceived letter from a correspondent at Mill
vile, (BlackstOne) who, after giving an ac-
coun. Of the murder of Mr.. Brown, and the
wounding Of Mrs. Hewitt, substantially as
related above, say.
''This morning the bells ~e.v -~-e. ms a
signal for the villagers to assemble and COM
mcncc hunting for the fugitive murderer
About this time Hewitt came out from the
woods, and reaching his house, called for
Willard wilson, Esq., whom he had undoubt-
edly seen entering the house, and questioned
him in regard to some money he had in the
house. Wilson immediately asked him why
he did the awful deeds, when Hewitt inquired
if he had hurt any one hut his wife. Upon
being told that he had killed Brown, he man
ifested some feeling, and said that he did not
intend to kill him, but meant to kill his wife.
He then expressed wish to see his wife and
Brown, which was granted. lie then remark
ed to Wilson that it was all over with him
now, as he had taken poison. He immediate
ly took another dose Of what appeared to be
strychnine, and some liquid from bottle,
was taken with spasms in a short time, and
died in about two hours. His death was
agonizing in the extreme, groaning and vomi
ting blood with every breath.
Thus ended this horrid tragedy, which fills
every mind and bows down the hearts of all
our citizens. Mr., Brown was remarkably
quiet, pcaoeable, and Woodworking man, and
had Just returned from his weeks labor to
spend the Sabbath with his family, He leaves
wife and two sons, one 10 and the other l:
years of age. Hewitt also leaves four small
children.
1t would only add that there can be no doub
that rum was the whole cause of these infer
nal deeds, and that in the eyes of our whole
community the rumseiier is the guilty one
lie it was who furnished the fiery liquid tina
prompted him to that deed which he had be
fore threatened when under its influence. -
May the consciences of those men in this vii
lage and " oonsocket smite them for thcs
awful deeds, till they give up their abomina
ble traffic, and seek To gain their living b.
some respectable business.
p. 5. June l9-S A. NJ. Mrs. Hewitt
still living, though very low.