Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-08-16
Incendiarism and Attempted Murder.

4 Store and Nine Barns BWm.-A vii
lain named Henry Chapman set un fire and
destroyed no less than nine barns and one
store on Monday night, on the road from
Preston city (Ct. tn North Stonington. and
attempted t" shootayoung man named Charles
Wheeler The Norwich (Ct.) Bulletin al
Wednesday. recapitulates the losses, which
amount to about $4,000. The eighth barn
fired was that of Mr. Latham. The Bulletin
says: The ninth and last was Eleazer Wheel
ers, his own tather-in -law, halt mile beyond
in the edge of North Stunngton; loss S@o'
MIR. Wheeler's son Charles Immediately re-
marked, on seeing Mr. Latham's barn on fire,
That is some of Henry Chapman's work.
and soon the flames burst out from MIR.
Wheelers barn While they were carrying
water To extinguish the fire in the barn, one
Of the boys discovered Chapman at the cor
ner ut the house, attempting Ia set lre To some
dry brush lying against the house. lie I'M
mrdiately gave the alarm. MIR. Wheeler ran
into the house and took down loaded fowl
ing piece, tn be used ii occasion required
Charles seized an axe. and both rushed Ia the
back door. Chapman was little distance
off. curSing aud uttering threats against the
his fathers hand and fired at him. but the
cap on " exploded. Chapman then said with
all oath, There. your guns missed; now I've
got YOU" Charles Immediately ran in and
primed the gun, and Chapman went round IN
front Of the house. Mr.. Wheeler following
him, and Chapman drew pistol on him.
By this time Charles had his gun ready,
and punched out light of glass III second
story window. fired ut Chapman, and he
supposes lodged Il charge Of shot in his thigh
rs he staggered and almost fell down. Chap
man then snapped his pistol twice at the
head of Mr.. Wheeler. but missed fire both
times and then turned and ran of MIR.
Wheeler struck at him with the axe when he
attempted to fire but Just missed him. MIR.
! Wheeler followed him on the run twenty or
thirty rods, but Chapman was too fleet OF
foot for him, and escaped through a corn
field to the woods, but on Wednesday he was
found dead about mile from the house of
Mr.. Wheeler, with nearly one hundred shot
wounds on his body.
Henry Chapman is about thirty-two years
of age Some ten years ago he married a
daughter of Mr.. Eleazer Wheeler. His con-
duet was such that, five years ago, she was
compelled, for her own safety, to "swear the
peace" against him. During the five years
after his marriage he was very incorporate,
and when drunk was ugly and dangerous
His disposition, at all times bad, was made
worse by liquor. For the past five years his
wife had refused to live with him, and, with
her three children, has stayed at her fathers
house. lie has loafed about Preston and
Norwich lately. On Saturday last his wife
served a petition for divorce, and Chapman
returned from Noank on Monday i'll perfect
rage against his wife, her family and every
body else. Out Of pure revenge he applied
the torch to the barns referred to. The peo-
pie Of that vicinity, when the news of his
death became generally known, drew Il long
breath and thanked God for their deliver
ance."