The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1862-05-06


II December 1919, Mr.. Chaawsck Of
New Jersey, who happened accidentally
/ 10 see a published account 81 the Beurns'
trial, wrote TO Manchester That Co!vin bad
been living with his brother.in.law in New
Jersey since April 1873. and soon after
Colvin himself arrived in Manchester.
Much Of the testimony was undonbsed-
ly fabricated, while tho confessions Of thc
Bourns were obtained BY acting upon the
hopes and fears Of the prisoners, and were
Of course wholly false. Few cases have
become more famous than This; and 1t Is
quoted more frequently. perhaps, than any
other, 10 show the insuiiciency oi circun-
siantial testimony by the opponents Of
capital punishment.
The statement which has been made in
connection with the recent arrest Of jesse
Bourn in Ohio, that Colvin was actually
murdered, and that the Colvin who return
cd from New Jersey was a fabrication,
got up for the purpose Of releasing the
Bourns, is worthy Of no credence what
ever. ColVin was well known in the
tOHhg anu Pti lifN IFiutu WIS ICHOEHtatA
on every side by those who had known
him intimately, some Of whom are still
residents Of Manchester.
For iull accoun, Of this case, see Life
OF Lemuel Haynes, pp. ZIG; Harper,
1887. Deming's Remarkable Events.
Middlebury, VT. Journal VT. House Of
Reps Session of 1919.
GOV. RICHARD SKINNER,
Was born in Litchfeld Co, Conn, May
80, 1878. Denied the advantages OF
liberal education. during his minority he
was engaged for some time as clerk in q
store in New Haven, Conn. He attended
the lectures of Judges Reves and Gould
at their law school in Litchfield; came to
Vermont in Sept. 1899 and soon settled
in Manchester; in 1900 was appointed
States Attorney for the county Of Ben
nington, which Office he held till 1872;
was Judge of Probate for the District Of
Manchester IRON 1906 to 1912 ;sin 1918,
elected member OF the thirteenth Con-
gress twice represented the town in the
Legislature; was chosen Speaker in 1918;
elected Judge Of the Supreme Court in
1915, and Chief Judge in 1876 in 1920
WAS chosen Governor Of the State, and re.
elected in 1921 and 1922; declining TO
serve longer as Governor, in 1928 he was
elected Chief Justice Of the Supreme
Court, which place he held I'LL 1929, when
be retired from public service. While
crossing the Green Mountains in the
Spring Of 1883, he was thrown from his
carriage, receiving injuries which occa-
stoned his death, May %, 1888, in the
55th year Of his life. In person he was
of ordinary form and stature, his eyes
and complexion dark, and hair the deep
est black. Intellectually, his qualities
were OF that kind which gain the respect
and confidence Of mankind rather than
immediate admiration; as a lawyer and
Judge he was noted for the clearness and
force with which he presented bis cases.
lie filled the highest places in the State
with ability and dignity, and left repu-
tation of which the Town and State may
well be proud.
JOSEPH BURR
Was born in Hampstead, L. l., Aug IL,
1772 came to Manchester at an early
age, and began trade while in his minori-
ty. His capital at drst was scaniy; but
be was exceedingly prosperous in busi-
nem, amassing the most ample fortune
ever accumulated in the town. In addi-
ton to bis mercantile business be kept
brokers' office which yielded large profits.
he was noted for his accurate business
habits; his fortune was the result Of pru-
dent management and economy, rather
than lucky speculation. lie twice repre-
scnted the town in the Legislature, and
was chosen member Of the Constitution
al Convention in 1922; but differing from
the instructions Of the town in regard to
The proposed alterations oil the Constiiu-
ton, he declined to serve. lie gave, by
will, as follows:
Am. Board of For. Missions, $4,000
Am. Home Missionary Soc, 10000
Am. Tract Society, 10000
Am. Colonization Society, 1000
Am. Bible Society, $4,000
VT Domestic Miss. Society, 1900
Manchester Congl Society, 5000
Literary burr Seminary, 10000
Middlebury College, $4,000
Williams College, 1000
Dartmouth College, 1000
| N. w. Branch Am. Ed. Soc, 1900
---
$4,000
The validity Of about half (s47 .000) II
these bcquesis WIS contested by the rcsid-
uary legaiecs the Supreme Court sus-
tanned the viii in full, and the bequssss
were appropriated as above. Mr. Burr
was never married lie died April IA,
1925, in bis 56th year and bis remains
were inferred in the Cemetery at Man
chester, where his relatives have recently
erected a monument to bis memory.
ao.a l.. -. t.rL al IA fs.tnr