Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-09-01

search the dead body Of Mrs. G. was found
wrapped in blanket, in calf pen near the
barn, and covered with blood from wounds
inflicted with a knife or axe
The murdered woman was possessed of
considerable property, partly inherited, and
partly acquired by her in California. where
she kept hotel, during the earlier years of
the gold excitement, and returned thence with
a sum reported at upwards 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 a very good house, and was reported to
be well stocked with silver plate. Mrs. Girls
void was also reported to have considerable
money in her possession, whict may have
afforded the motive for the crime, though We
do not hear that the house was rifed.
Tins frightful crime continues to excite the
most painful interest, not only in. the quiet
town in which it occurred, but throughout
the County. An investigation was com
menced Monday by W. H. French, Justice
of the Peace but the facts elected do not
| yet warrant positive charge OF the crime
upon any person known to the authorities,
though suspicion is strongly aroused in Ger
| tain directions There arc appearances
| which tend to show that the murder must
have been committed by some one who was
tolerably familiar with the house. 1t took
place IN the kitchen, from which opened the
little bedroom occupied by Mrs. Griswold,
and was evidently accomplished only after
severe struggle. Death resulted from deep
cut: ID the throat, severiDg the jugu-
lar vein. There were also several
other cuts and stabs about the neck.
end one upon the chin. extending from the
lip downwards. There were also cuts on the
back OF each hand. The skull was fractured
ON the left side BY a blow from some blunt
instrument, apparently hammer, and there
were marks OF several blows on the right side
of the head, apparently from the same instru-
ment. Bruises upon the knees and on the
chest, furnish other marks of desperate
struggle. The body was then carried to
shed or pen, closed by door, where it was
found, the limbs exposed, and the upper part
wrapped in port ions of the bed-clothing
taken from Mrs Griswold's bedroom.
The drawer of a bureau in another part Of
the house, was apparently after the muir
DER forced open with ehisel, and rihed
of some silver and jeyvelry belonging to the
old lady The pantry and dining-room were
also robbed of the silyer-the solid silver
being taken, and the plated ware left-
The little boy, a lad of IL named Edward
Call, Tho was the only other inmate of the
house tina night, and who slept IN little
chamber over the wood-shed, was fastened
into bis room from the outside. The dog
was also locked IN TO the buttery. A little
Irish girl. Gau,yhter of neigbbor,
heard the dog barking in the night and heard
some one call HIM IN to the house.
Charlie Potter maj ried an adopted daugh-
Ter of Mr.. and Mrs. Gri swold, and has for sew
eral years kept taver n at Cooks Corner"
c E, lust across the Canada Line. He re-
turned to WIlIistor last spring, and with his
wifi, has spent the ssmn'er so far with Mr..
and Mr. Griswod. Sunday morning, he
left for Canada. with HE wife and two chill
dren, and brother, Mr.. Clark Potter. Mr..
Griswold, vino was going 10 Canada to look
aftereomc property, accompanied them. The
party left together in two carriages. They
were telegraphed Monday at 81. Adams,
and were expected back next night.
There are many strange circumstances con- /
nected with this shocking affair. That the
dead BODY OF Mrs. Griswold should have been
carried from the house to the shed where it
was lett. without further attempt at conceal
mcnt, is one Of them. Time and investiga-
ton will doubtless, however, elucidate these.
and it is to be hoped right speedily.
We received Wednesday the following let
ter going to prove that Charles Potter, sus-
pectcd of being connected in the murder of
Mrs Griswold. was in Sheldon at the time.
SHELDON, VT, Aug. %, 1866.
Editors Of Free Press:
GENTLEMEN Il notice in your
issue Of the 18th inst. the murder of Mrs Girls
wold of williston, and that Charley P otter is
suspected Of the murder. Charley Potter and
wife stayed with me in my house Sunday night
the 9th inst, and hence he could not have I
committed the murder ''last night
Very truly &C.,
in POTTER.