Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-12-25
Extraordinary Developments.

es that we have ever read of:
"One of the most remarkable cases on
criminal records of this or any other
country, has just come to our knowledge
and we proceed to relate the facts, be-
lieying that our readers will concur with
us in this opinion. Even now, with the |
food of light thrown upon the case, a Por-
ton of it is involved in the deepest mys-
terry.
Most of our readers will remember
the facts generally as before published in
the newspapers concerning the disappear
ance. last winter, of Charles +. Sage,
from his home in Cromwell, near Middle
town, in this State. We recapitulate the
facts briefly, as they came out in the tes-
timony.
Young Sage was eighteen or nineteen
years of age. During one of the cold
est mornings of last winter, he was sent
by his father to the barn to feed the cat
tie. The boy declined going, because he
had been threatened with violence, by an
Irishman named Patrick Nugent, who
kept his horse at the the barn. The IA
Their thought the excuse frivolous one,
and compelled the son to 60, who depart
ed in tears. This was the last seen of
him by the family.
Suspicion of foul play was at once
aroused, and Nugent was arrested. But
the evidence was not then deemed sufii-
cient to commit him. A hole was found
in the ice in the river in the rear of the
barn, and it was suggested that the body
of the boy had been put through the ope-
ming into the river. Some time after a
body was found on the river bank near
Lyme, was believed to be that of young
Sage. The father saw upon it several
marks which correspondent with those up
On the body of his son. The height was
precisely the same, and a piece Of the
= coat was recognized as resembling the
coat worn by his son. In the spring the
lining of an overcoat, corresponding with
that of youngSage, was found on the bank
of the river, near Cromwell. Sill there
was no positive evidence against Nugen
but suspicion grew stronger daily-un
til at length a sailor named John Amos
> Benson, appeared whose testimony wa.
direct and positive. Nugent was then re
arrested.
Benson stated that he was passing
through Cromwell on the day of the dis
appearance Of young Sage. and whei
near the barn he heard an alteration
" He looked in, and saw Nugent and hi
wife, and boy whom he described, an
. whose description answered perfectly t
. that of young Sage. Nugent, with a
= oath, struck down the boy with a clut
and then stabbed him with knife. A
he looked out of the door he saw the vii
" ness Benson asked him what he wa
= doing there; and finally compelled hir
! to come in and hel p remove the body
! when he said this, Nugent's wife e1
.o claimed, %, what lie!O Benson ado
= ed that he did remove the body to til
u haymow-which he had never seen b,
? fore or since. He was asked what youn
e Sage had on his feet, and he answers
., "A pair Of cowhide boots, one of WhiC
a. was worn through at the side, and ii
=. 80 other was worn through at the ball.
y, The father said this was true, and TIL
~ his son was about having his boots mem
a. . ed. Blood was found on the barn foo
" and pieces of the floor were sawed up al
' saved for the trial. The jackknife WI
also found, or one supposed to be Il
lis knife used to complete the murder Be
on son described the gang-way throue
| which the body was carried to the ha
Ms NOW in an adjoining barn, and he
TT tracks in the snow were remembered
ID have been seen from one barn tc the OF
We er.
Benson said he never saw the boy /
'nt fore the murder, but he remembered
ok appearance. He picked out a man in t
Us, room who had such hair, and the faith
said the comparison was correct. ]
we doubt now remained on the mind of a
ell person in the room of the guilt of n
mo gent. When the prisoner was broue
VII in he was asked if he knew Benson, a
lly' he said 'No-he had never seen him
irh FORE Benson replied, Yes, you do kn
zen me, Nugent, and you know you kill
:, that boy, and that helped you put aw
ellis the body under the hay Benson "
'hu then told to look Nugent in the face a
you tell the whole story. He did so, Mug
all the while trembling like a condemn
-rol culprit. On being told that he was in
one bad scrape, he said-I know it; but G
res is my mamie will get me out of it,
'"u Nugent was then remanded TO pris
and his trial, it was supposed, would ia
r place the present month-but circumst;
vi ces have caused a delay. Benson 81
'"- that he had came toCromwell expressly
"iS make a clean breast of the whole affair
0" that since the murder he had been sh
% a. wrecked and was near losing his life
ms that he had not enjoyed moments pea
I'D of mind-that lie knew that his COME
in'' ion would implicate himself, and that
he was not hung, as an accomplice,
c. would 90 to the State Prison for life
1th but he did not care what become of h
sod if he could ease his conscience of
,oh burden which the dreadful secret had C
upon it, and which he could not o:herw
shake off.
Iib- Upon this and other evidence Def
his the Grand Jury, which was composed
we'd as intelligent men as Middlesex Cou
en- can produce, Nugent was fully conn
4 in ted for trial.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. tho direct obaro,