Litchfield enquirer., 1859-09-08
Whole No. 17SS.

l CHAPMAN THE INcEND1ARY-The Norwich l Aurora publishes the following relative to 1 Chapman, the Preston Incendiary -
 Up to the age of l5 Chapman lived with
 his father in Griswold, anl the testimony of his neighbors and schoolmates is, that he Was vlrtuous and well disposed boy At that
 time he left his father and came to live in W this
 city. He remained here but few months.
 when his habits becoming bad, he was taken
 home by h father, where he led a sob!r aud
 industrious life til he was 2l years of age
 lie soon after married respectfully, hired !.
 farm adjoining his fathers and settled down
 with good prospects in life He was an only
 son, ms father Was man of wealth, and hotil
 families looked forward to happy and prosper
 ous days. But evil habits again obtained the
 mastery over him He ran in debt hecdless'y
 ana was unable to pay. His creditors finally
 attacheo ms property, took it from him. aud
 ne Was turned tout of doors. He abused hi,
 wife and family, and his wife "swore the
 peace against him, when he was arrested and
 held for trial. This was six years ago. He
 remalucd m Jail in this city months, awaitinr
 tFla'. When his trial came on no one appcal
 ei against him, and he was discharged He
 then endeavored, under the strong st promise of reformation, to reunte his family, but he Was repulsed, and from that time he became an outcast upon the earth For several years he was absent, and his family supposed him to be dead. In January last, however. he re- turned to h;s fathers house, and remained there till the 24th ofJuly During this time, conduct was irreproachable, but his mind seemed fixed on his family troubles They were his constant theme of conversation to hls father and mother. From the 2tth of Ju- y he worked at moving and oradling for his fathers nelghbors. So intensely restless Was he from that time that he did not even pr, tehd to go to bed at night, but would often work the whole 24 hours through in the field. Oh one night from sundown to sunrise, he era died seven acres of oats To one uuacouain- ted With the powerful frame of the man. this IS scarcely credible, but it is strictly true. In thls state of mind, on the Wednesday before his death, he went to New London and sought legal advice about his children. He was advised that he had right to their care and custody. The Saturday following he hi- red horse and carriage in this city and went to the residence of his father-iI-law where his w'fe and children live, but did not find them there He passed along and found one of his children Ia pasture, took him into his car rlage and carried him to his fathers hous. il G'swod. The same day he brought him to Norwich, and instead of returning to his fa- ther's house. as he promised, took him that night to Mystic. On Monday he was follow ed by Officer Chapcll, of this city, who found him, and not only took his boy from him, but served him with notice from his wife that she should apply for divorce at the next term of the court. At this time the excite. ment of liquor was added to the troubles of hls mlnd, and he instantly resolved on ven- geance. How he returned to Preston and ex. ecnted his resolution upon all who ever con- already known.