Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-06-07
Attempt AT Murder, and Marye,o..
Escape.

The Springfield RcPa5ticoa, says tia, an
attempt to murder one of the most resue,.
fable citizens Of Wcstfie!d, Massaehu,e,,,
as bold in character, as it was mysterious IN
design and marvellous in harmless resul,
occurred ON Saturday night about II O'Clock
and has created great excitement in Tim
village. Lewis #. Thayer, young bu,
prominent merchant, and most popula,
and beloved citizen, was going to his HON.
down Broad street, and when passing
large tree. in the very heart Of the ylse.
he was startled by the flash and report Of (,
pistol close by bis side, and within ten inche,
Of his head. The powder burned his haL
and the ball entered it, grazing but 1aharm.
ing his head. ASonished il not stunned
by the explosion, he staggered back a few
PAGES, wnen Two men appeared from behind
the tree, appeannly suppo,ing they lad
succeeded in their design of killing him.
But lie rallied in moment, and seeing The
nature OF the assault, upon lin, drew the
blade of small dirk cane, he always carries
at night, and plunged after them. Seem,
this they ran, and Jumped into the gardsa
of Mr.. Edwin Smith, RICH. against when
the original shot was fired, Mr.. Thayer pun,
suing them closely. While going down. The
garden. one OF the villains turned and fryd
a second time, and the ball struck Mr.. Thay.
err en- the breast, bul encountered a coy
of book {" SCOTS infantry tactics 4.
which lie carried in his side pocket, goia:
through the cover and imo the middle q
the volume, where il lodged. A aa
wound was doubtless OILY prevented y
this volume. MIR. rIayer felt the boS d
the ball, but apprehended no wound, and
kept ON the pursuit. The pursued pard
when near the end Of the garden, and MI,
Thayer felt sure OF one, us be was witth
20 feet of him. and high fence conirobia
the villain when lie latter turned again sa
fred a random third shot, which just grad
the inside OF Mr.. Thayer's thigh. At III
same time, the Other threw a heavy Cd
billet, and this, striking Mr.. Thayer in IL
pit of the stomach with great violrns
knocking him senseless. and he fell 10 u
ground with great scream. II was son
halt hour before he revived, and thea
course the assassins had made certain
their escape. They doubtless supposed ID
the third shot had taken serious if moi iaa
effect. The night was so dark tia, "
Thayer could distinguish nothing bat Id
general figures, and the fact that they sU
: dark clothes. OF tie motive Of the assag
nothing is known but what conjecture q
furnish. Mr.. Thaycr is a man of no 20
mics, and he could not be supposed 10 n
any special booty TO a desperate robSe
, The only reasonable suspicion is that
, was mistaken for another man (Mr. Les
llolcomb) who had returned from Harii
: that day with s., 500 in his pocket and Vi
left the village news. room for home. thogs
living and going in different direciionfa
Thayer almost at the same moment Il
the latter did. This theory seems 10
sustained by the fact that while Thayer VI
: chasing the assassins down the garden a
exclaimed TO The other-'it is the wrong ma
and this was all that Was said between ihes
during the whole affair. Mr.. lloloosl
!, wore a similar dress TO Thayer's; and il b
villains intended to wayIay and murder d
rob him it is probable they had followed IL
from Hartford for the purpose, and va
! not acquainted in Wts,field. Otherwise III
, would have known they were on the EFa:
track by he fact that Hole )mh lived ini
different part OF the town. The selceiBa
OF Nes,field offer reward Of $500 iors
detection OF the assassins and il is gTea.
: TO be hoped that the motives and perpea
!, tors of so extraordinary villainy msyS
y revealed.