Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1860-08-17

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Previous to the general excitement, Ste
phen Boorn, with his family, moved to
Denmark, County of Lewis, in the State
of New-York, about two hundred miles
from the place of his nativity, where they
were comfortably settled; while Jesse re-
manned in Manchester, where he WAS ar
rested and frequently brought before a
court of inquiry. He at first boldly assert
ed his innocence but, after several days
confinement, and every art made use Of 70
criminate him and his brother, and being
told that a confession would probably be
the means Of obtaining his liberty, as strange
and unaccountable as it may appear, he did
confess that his brother Stephen had told
him that he lStephenl had given Colyin a
blow, and laid him aside where no one could
find him. Upon his, the authority issued
a warrant to apprehend Stephen. Capt.
Truman Hill, grand juryman for the town
of Manchester, Squire Raymond, and Mr..
X. Anderson, set out for Denmark, and ar
rived there in three days. They called on
Mr.. Eleazer S. Sylvester, innkepeer, who
in the night, together with Mr.. Orange
Clark and Mr.. Hooper, belonging to the
town accompanied them TO the house of
the supposed criminal. Mr.. Clark went in
first, and began some conversation about
temporal concerns; the others surrounded
the house and he was easily taken. The
; surprise and distress of Mrs. Boorn on this
occasion are not easily described; /; they ex-
cited the compassion of those who had
. come to take away her husband, and they
made her some presents The prisoner
was put in irons and brought TO Manches
ter. He peremptorily asserted his limo
eence, and declared that he knew nothing
abou. the murder of his brother-in-law
! The prisoners were kept apart for tint
. and assigned to separate cells. Nothing
material transpired, and they were after
; wards confined in one room. Stephen de
MED the evidence brought against him b.
:, Jesse, and treated him with severity. Boil
:. the prisoners were repeatedly admonishec
to pay the strictest regard to truth. Many
A days were taken up in public examination
! Of reputed criminals. Circumstantial eyi
! dence was much against them, and the,
: were bound over to await their trial at th
= sitting Of the Supreme Court, to be held a
' Manchester on the third Tuesday of Sep
. tember, 1919.
Jesse Boorn, after an interview with hi
brother, denied that Stephen ever told hin
that he killed Colvin, and that what he re
: ported about him was false. For som
time they both continued to assert their in
nocence; but being told that they woul
undoubtedly be convicted upon the testimo
: ny already against them, and hopes of par
don being held out if they would confes
: the crime, at last Stephen wrote state
ment of what he said were facts, in whic
he acknowledged he killed Colvin, deposit
7 ed him in the place where the knife an
from that place and put them under hi
fathers barn, which was soon after burnet
: and the body principally consumed.
= A person in Jail with them, for perjury
: : testified to full confession of the murder
: made to him by Stephen and Jesse, and
. was so artfully framed, SO corroborated b
l.
other facts, that it had great weight wit
: the Court and Jury, though it was who'll
> false But he had his end answered-h
:, got bail by this means, and went off.
= During the interval, the prisoners wer
:, frequently visited by the Rev. Mr.. Haynes
Y in his official capacity but they did No
discover any symptoms of compunctior
" persisting in declaring their innocence, wit
appeals to Heaven. Stephen, particular,
!, at times appeared absorbed in passion an
" impatiepce. One day Mr.. Haynes intro
:. duced the example of Christ under suffer
" ings, as pattern worthy of imitation; h
exclaimed, q am innocent as Jesus Christ
for which extravagant expression he wa
= reproved he replied, 8 don't mean that
am guiltless as he was l know / am
great sinner; but i am as innocent
killing Colyin as he was" The court 81
= in September, and a judicious and impress
i've charge was given to the grand jury b
his honor, Judge Doolittle, and bill of il
dictment was presented against Stephe
and Jesse Boorn but as it was not a fu
court, the trial could not commence.
The Court was accordingly adjourned {
Oh the 26th of October, 1919. 1t was wit
d. much difficulty that a Jury was obtained
D. But few could be found who bad not ex
70 pressed their opinion against the prisoners
II The Hon. Judge Skinner and Mr.. l.. Ser
p geant were counsel for the prisoners. MI
81 C. Sheldon was employed in behalf of tn
r State. The counsel on both sides displaye
e much zeal and ability. The trial com
I menced on Tuesday, the 9th day of octo
'e Der, and continued until the Saturday nigh
d following.
e An indictment was presented, containing
g a charge against Stephen and Jesse Boor