Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-09-21
shocking Murder in Fletcher.

One Of the most aggravated cases Of pro-
mcdtatcd murder that we have ever been
called on to record was committed in Flet-
cher, last Thursday, by jefferson Fulton upon
the body of Abial Chase. 1t appears that
there had been controversy of long standing
between the parties concerning q division
fence Some time during the past summer
by the consent Of the parties the matter was
left out to dsintcrcstcd persons who brought
in decision in favor Of Chase and the con
trovcrsv was considered at an end. The day
previous to the fatal affray son of Fulton,
l. years of age, together with another boy
of about the same age was found in Chasc's
melon patch in the act of stealing melons.
Chase in kind manner rcprimandcd the
boys. llo told them that such acts were
wrong. and would, if pcrsevcrcd in, lead to
the States prison, and if, hereafter, at any
time they wanted any melons, to ask for them,
and he would willingly let them have them.
Fulton's son replied, that he would take as
many melons without leave as he wanted
that he was not afraid of him and he would
like to see him help himself Chase finding
the boy so unrcasonably saucy and imperti-
ncnt seized him by the callar, pulled him off
the rock on which he was seated, and told
him to leave for home. The boy immediate
~ went home and told his father that Chase
had been abusing him most shameiully that
he had kicked, pounded and otherwise vo-
| lcntly maltreated him.
The next day, (rhursday) he related to
some of his friends what had taken place be
tween his son and Chase, and remarked
don't know whether I'd better 90 and kill the
| d--n old cuss or sue him lie was ad-
viscd to take the latter course but Fulton
filled bottle with liquor, and proceeded to
n short distance where his father was at
| and tbo bnt Entl
take drink with me, drink a good horn,
you will never have chance to drink any
more with me- lie then hid the bottle in
some bushes near by and proceeded on to
where Chase and his son were making n rail
fence. He approached toward them in an
apparently laughing mood and when he had
come quite up to Chase, remarked, 'Old jeff
has come to see you Chase said, well,
what will Old Jeff have. Thereupon he
drew knife which he had concealed about
his person and violently stabbed him in the
side between the ribs. Chase turned to es-
cape when he received another stab in the
back lie ran few steps and fell never to
rise again. Fulton then gave chase after the
boy, who at the top Of his voice cried 'mur-
der, but being unable to overtake him re-
turned, gave the lifeless body kick or two
for fear that his victim might not be dead
and made way for the woods and has not
since been seen. The body was soon after
conveyed to the house which is about twenty
or thirty rods from the fatal spot, and upon
examination it was found that the stab in tht
side had almost completely severed one of th'
ribs and ruptured blood vessel; while
that in the back came within little more thar
an inch of the stab IN the side. A Jury O
Inquest was held on the body the following
day and verdict rendered in accordance
| with the above facts
1t is thought that Fulton is still in th
woods, which were without doubt the thick
est and most impenctrable of any in on,
mountainous State. Fulton has been hearC
to boast that he could SO completely conceal
person in them that it would be impossib
for any one to find him and it is said tha
he did actually conceal a person in ther
three weeks some twelve years since. Hoy
true this is we cannot say. The people o
= Fletcher and vicinity turned out in larg
numbers Saturday and Sunday and mad'
diligent search, but werc unable to find an
traces of the murderer. Chase is represente
d to have becn very peaceable and quiet man
2 and leaves a wife and five children to mour
, his untmcly death.