Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-09-02
The Homicide at the ChampIaln Hotel.

The Homicide at the Champlain Hotel.
HoxIcIDE.-A fatal shooting case occurred
Sunday evening about SIX O'Clock at the
Champaign Hotel in which John Fenton was
shot dead by John Mcdonald, "A soldier oftle
Veteran Reserve Corps, who was spending a
portion of his furlough in Burlington. Both
parties were stopping at the Champaign Ho-
tel. Fenton is said to have been from Mon
treal, and of lat has been IN the employ Of
the VI. Central Road.
Mcdonald, according to bis own account,
was originally from Charleston, 5. c, en-
tered the rebel army early in the War, in
the 4th 5. c. ~Sharpshootcrs was wounded
in the leg and taken prisoner at Pittsburgh
Landing ; took the oath Of allegiance tn
listed IN the 18th regulars was discharged;
enlisted subsequently in the 18th Maine
was transferred to the 2l Me. battery lost
two fingers Of the left hand at Gettysburg,
was discharged again and subsequently en-
listed in Co. B, Dist Veteran Reserve Corps.
A1 NetAAN " IA AihENtn i A3 ~
Wednesday, and was intending to leave for
Albany this morning. FentOn and be tell
into a discussion on Sunday, about the War
and the soldiers, in which Mcdonald says
that Fenton insulted him. Another ~alterca-
ton occurred just before supper, on the
piazza Of the hotel. in the course Of
L.. NFn---II - - - 81 "
fred upon Fenton. The ball passed into the
left breast passing dOwnwards, cutting of
one of the main arteries close to the heart,
and lodging under the skin Of the back be
low the shoulder blade, where it was found.
FentOn fell and died instantly. Mcdonald
was taken from an excited crowd, some of
whom we're inclined to lynch bin, and plac-
ed IN Jail by Constable Huntington.
An examination took place, commencing
this forenoon, in the Court House before
Justice Hollenbeck. States Attorney Taft
and Grand Juror j.. B. Wheeler appeared
for the State, and D.. Roberts and W. W.
Walker, Esqs. for the respondent.
DASL. O'LEART, a boarder at the Champlain
Hotel testified to a difficulty and high words
between the parties after dinner, in which Fem
ton told Mcdonald he would strike him if be
was worth striking. They met again, on the
piazIa, at half past five, in presence Of the pris-
oner's wife and others. In reply TO a remark of
fentons about her ''looking glum, - McUonald's
wife sad you insIltet ny husband to-day
High words then passed between the parties,
ending in a pistol shot. Saw deceased make one
or two strokes at prisoner ,ater be was shot.
Prisoner, who was walking of, turnel, present.
Ell the pistol again and sand II will shoot You
again" Thought he heard the pistol snap
again. Fenton then fell, and a crowd suround-
ell prisoner, some Of whom were for beating him
aui SOME Tor saving him.
Adjourned TO half past one p. VI
AFTERNOON,
JAMES McFARLAyD. Of Whitehall. cinrtin Of
aclnal boat, testified 10 hearing the altcrcit5n,
while passing the Hotel, arer dinner. Heard
the man IN citizens dress tell the other he had
not the spirit 0f "A man. The soldier re0Iei
that II he did not keep MS rs, out Of his face
he would show HIM whether he had the spirit Of
a man or not The citizen advanced on the sol
der and showed more anger than the other.
fRAScIs ~SHAEKEY, sworn,-bolrI AZ the Ho-
tel heard the dispute after dinner. told tentou
10 ~ down and have no noise. FeutJn .tiI he
did not want to fight but would lct the -r
know he was not afraid Of him. Mcdonald
challenged the other TO come out into the back
yard and fight him. Fentou declined 90 20.
Was present AZ the shooting ARRAY. was on
the piazza, Mrs. Murphy came out on the piazza
and told Fenton he might get another boarding
place. Fentons went into a rage and commenced
swearing.
Toll McD. he hadn't insulted him, Mcdonald
called the other a liar, sad he had iusultcl him
and be would take no more Of 10, be won,i shoot
him Fenton went up 20 him and collarei him
and be shot Fenton, and Fent0n dropped his
head and raised his hand and Mcdonald tod
him II be came any further he would shoot hun
again. Then he ran into the hall, and brndish-
ed bis pistol and said with an oath that be wouIi
shoot more. John Murphy then came and took
hold Of HIM and got the pistol. after quite a
scufHe. Fenton staggered and fell.
Examination CONTINUED
Louis MABxEE, sworn. Is soldier in the
1th VI on furlough having re-enlisted ; was
present at the shooting. was passing the house.
heard the dispute on the piazza. heard one call
the other "a mean son Of a bitch. Then heard
the pistol shot-think II was the largest man
which used those words. had some doubt which;
judged from the position Of the men. The pris-
oner was pretty cool the other appeared excl
ted.
- 80 20 az examination nf 4
the corpse. It was lying on the front piazza Of :
Murphey's hotel, observed blood on the chest :
and ooIng from the mouth and moose. Had ,
the body removed 10 a room and with DR..
Ihayer made post norton examination. Found .
a ball hole near top Of breastbone, On the le4 Z
side. removed the bone and found one Of the l
main arteries near the heart severed , the right :
lung was pierced Posteriorly near its apex; bali L
then passed between the 9th and 9th ribs about
Z inches from tho arfpa 81 - Z
skin Of the back about 1 inches below and { in
ches TO the right Of the place Of entrance, The
man died OF hemorhage and must have expired {
Don't think a man could speak af
ter such a wound. There might be some mus a
cular movements. The ball did not glance n
Should infer from its course that the man was
stopping when shot, or was below the man who d
fred
JONI M%URPHT, (Stone-cutter) Saw the af /"
fray. Fenton told Mcdonald .sYou iosulted me n
the fore part Of the day Mcdonald got up; n
and ne followed Med. Med. drew a pistol from Y
bis breast and fired; then in a moment made =
INTO the house. Didn't mind the previous con- =
Heard no word from NcD. Heard '
nothing between Mrs. McD. and Fentou. Mrs. !"
came out and told Fenton he might 6nI :,
mother clearinghouse. Feuton said he DIDN'T l.
Didn't hear him say any thing about the =
Women tenion seemed goOd-naturel. Can't -
ay what Fenton followed Med. for. Fenton u
vas about two feet from him when he fired. -
lMr. Murphy evidently had 10 idea of being -
ross-examined, aud resented the questions Of the y
counsel with such remarks as -. -
ould We that before DO you hear il now ~ WI
know what l saw, and what | didp't see e
ont MENTION - Gel 81
DAVID MHLER.-Heard the noise about noon hi
. Murphy's stoop. There seemed to bel row be- in
Seen a soldier and a civilian. Soon the soldier ran an
on the sidewalk and told the other to come lor
and he would show him whether he was ms
ward or not. Then be went back up the stems me
he other met him as he was going IN and be
his fist up close under his nose He be
ePped back and the civilian sprung at him
.ain and did the same thing over again. The
ldier said You talk a good deal, but | have
en- more blood split than ever you did" Mrs. TT
urphy then came and told the soldier IN go "a.
to the house and Fenfon 70 "a, T. ~