The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-09-08
The Murder at VtllistOa.

We copy from the Burlington Free Press
the annexed particulars respecting the
murder of Mrs Griswold of Williston:
Mrs Griswold, an old lady of sixty or
upwards, residing in the western part of
WilliSton. was murdered last night by
some person or persons as yet unknown.
As the circumstances are related to Us.
her husband, together with the notorious
Charley Potter and his wife, left for
Canada yesterday morning, leaving the
Old lady and a small boy alone in the
house She was Seen last evening alive
and we'll. This morning one of the
neighbors having an errana at the house.
found the house locked, and the boy lock
ed into his room. Mrs GriSwold'S room
was found empty and the floor covered
with blood. On further search the dead
body of Mrs. G.. was found wrapped in "A
blanket, in "A calf pen near the barn, and
covered with blood from wounds inflicted
with knife or AK
The murdered woman was possessed of
considerable property. partly inherited,
and partly acquired by her in California,
where she kept a hotel during the earlier
Years OF the gold excitement, and return
ell thence with a sum reported al upward
of ten thousand dollars. After her return
home She built the house in which she
and her husband, Mr. Ephraim Griswold,
have since resided 1t was very good
house. ami was reported 10 he well stock
eI with silver plate Mrs. GriSwold was
also reported TO have considerable money
in her possession, which may have afford
ed the motive for the crime, though We do
not hear that the house was rified- Sus-
picion attaches to Potter. who married an
adopted daughter and heir lt law Of Mr.
ard Mrs Griswold; but rather from his
character than from any particular cir
cumS;ance connected with the crime.
! In later number of his paper the edi-
tor of the Pres gives these additional par
ticulars:
There are appearances which tend 10
show that the murder must have been
committed hv some one who was tolerably
lamiliar with the house. 1t took place in
the kitchen. from which opened the little
bedroom occupied 10y Mrs Gri>wold. and
WAS evidently accomplished only after 4
severe struggle, Death resulted from a
deep cut in the throat, sererlng the lugu-
lar vein. There were also several other
cutS ana >ials about the neck, and one
upon fh. chm, extending from the lip
,!pwnw. ..rls. There were also cuts on the
back o. each hand. The skull WAS frac-
iured on the left side hy 4 blow from some
blunt instrument. apparently a hammer.
and there We're marks of several blows on
the right side "t the head, apparently from
The same Instrument. Bruises upon ths
knees anil on the chest furnish other mark:
of Il desperate struggle The body was
then carried TO a shed or pen, closed by
a door, where ii was found. the limbs ex-
poSe.l, and the upper part wrapped in por-
ti"n> oi the hed-cloihing taken from Mrs.
: GriswolfS bedroom.
The drawer of bureau in another part
OF The h"u>e. was (apparentlv after the
murder,l forced open with chi~el. and
riilel of SOME silver and jcwelrv belongin.g
TO the Old lady The pantry and dining
room We're also rebbed OF the Silver-the
solid silver heing taken, and the plated
ware LETT.
The little boy. a lad of thirteen named
Edward C.ll, who was the only other in
mate Of The house that night, and who
slept in Il little chamber over the wood
shed. WAS fastened into hiS room from iht
outside The dog was also locked into
the buttery.