Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-09-21
Particulars of the Murder i'm
Fletcher.

Ono OF the most aggravated cases Of pre-
mednuted murder that we have ever been
called on to record was committed m Fletch-
or. last Thursday nv jefferson Fulton upon
the body of Abial Chase. II appears there
had been controversy Of long standing be-
tween the parties concerning division fence.
Some time during the past simmer by the
consent of the parties the matter was left
out tn disin,erested persons who brought IN
n decision m favor Of Chase and the contro-
versy wns considered vt an eud. The dny
previous tn the fatal aiifay. son of Fulton.
~ years Of age. together with another boy
of about the same age. was found m Chases
melon patch m the act of stealing melons
Chase IN Kind manner reprim nded the bows.
lie told them that such acts were wrong. and
would If persevered in lead to the States
prison. aud. If hereafter. al any tune they
wanted any melons to ask for them and he
would willingly Jet them have them. Full
TOMS son replied that he would take as many
melons without leave a. he wanted that he
was not afraid of him, and he would like to
see him help hlmsrlf. Chase finding the boy
so unreasonably saucv aud impairment. sell
zed HIM by the collar. pulled HIM of the rock
on which he was seated, and told him to leave
for home. The boy Immediately went home
ana told his father thai Chase had been abu-
sng him most shamefully; that he had kick
ed. pounded, aud otherwise violently NAL
treated him.
The next day. Thursday he related to
some Of his friends what had taken place
between his son and base, end remarked--
1T don't know whether III better 90 and kill
the id old cuss or sue him" lie was ad-
vised To take the latter course; but Fulton
filed bottle with liquor. and proceeded TO a
short distance where his father was at work
and producing the bottle SAID. Father, take
drink with me. drink good horn. YOU will
never have a chance To drink my more with
me- lie then hid the bottle in some bushes
near by ana proceeded on Ia where Chase
and his son were making a rail fence. lie
approached toward them in an apparently
laughing mood and when he had come quite
up TO Chase rema ked, "Old jeff has come
TO see you.' thase said "Woll. wha, will
Old jeff have - 7 hercupon he drew knife
which he had concealed about his person and
violently stabbed hun in the side between
the ribs. Chase turned 10 escape when he
received another sab IN the back. lie ran
few steps and fell never TO rise again
Fulton then gave chase after the boy. who
al The top Of his voice erred '+murdcr." but
being unable 10 overiakc him returned. gave
the life ess body kick or two for fear that
hs victim might not lie dead. and made way
for the woods and has no, since been seen
he body was soon after conveyed to the
house which is shout twenty or thirty rods
FROM the fatal spot, and upon examination il
was found that he stab IN the side had almost
completely severed 0np Of the ribs and up-
tured blood vessel; while that in the back
CINE within little more than an inch Of the
stab 10 the side. A Jury of Inquest was held
on the body the following day add q verdict
rendered in accordance with the above facts.
The end Of he TGgedg. Since the above
WINS written, we learn ihli Fulton has put an
end 90 Dos own life by cutting his throat On
Monday about o'clock in the afternoon be
was discovered hy one of those in search
n'ier him, about hnlf a milo irum the house
ln llc woods seated on log. Upon being
discovered b. Immediately rose aud run. ~.
The man cried ior assistance. and others who
were buta short way or came mp nd gave
clHse. Fulton finding that they were gam.
iug upon hun, and ithrly 20 catch him. com
ccl'cd himself "a some bushes. Those 10
ch'se arriving az the spnt found that he 3
IN the last az ncs of DEATH having cnt his
own throat with the very knife with which ne
took the lie of his fellow man. Thu. has
ended one Gi the most heari-rendng TRACE
dies tdat has ever occurred in oar midst. and
we hope W. my never BE- called 10 chroui-
80 such another brutal aifur.--Si. .flbans
Messenger.