Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-11-22
The Murder at Worcester.


"The parties were James Shepard,
young man about rs years of age,
who has had for years disreputable
name in this vicinity, and his wife
aged about Is years. Her maiden
name was Laura Wesson. Some three
years ago, when she was only Is
years of age, she was enticed away
from her home with her parents in
this city by Shepard, and marriage
ceremony was performed, but during
the same day she was rescued from
him and restored to her friends. He
was arrested for polygamy, he having
a wife at the time; but this last mar
riage was declared null and void
Some six months afterward she went
off with him again and remained
awhile, when they separated. They
were afterward married again, and
again separated. His treatment to
her was harsh and brutal, but in spite
of it her infatuation was such that she
would at his solicitation, connect her
self with him again after every separ-
alton.
Two weeks ago he was arrested for
having forged the signature of her
parents to permit for her 10 be mar
ried, by which he obtained a marri-
age license, she being under age but
when the case came into the police
court she declared that she should
persist in living with him, and aban-
doned her friends to 90 with him.
The case was accordingly placed on
file and she went with him to live in
Lowell. She was there but a few
days when he got out of money and
refused to support her longer, turning
/ her out Of the house. She came back
to this city to her parents and declar.
ed that she never would 90 with him
again. Shepard followed her here
and endeavored to persuade her tc
D live with him again, but she refused
e and remained with her parents, who
= reside only short distance from the
scene OF the murder
> Yesterday morning she went t
/ Mr.. Curtis house, to assist in doine
G the house work. She had been there
but short time when Shepard came
= and had a conversation with her, en-
deavoring to persuade her to go ava,
with him. She refused and he be
: came angry. The wife of son OF
Il Mr.. Curtis, living in the house, bein!
IT sick, her nurse came out and reprov
+ ed him for loud talking. He mad
- abusive and threatening remarks AM
left, saying he was going to the Cit
x to cry his wife down III the papers.
1t lie came to the city and purchase,
* a small single barreled pistol and
| quantity OF cartridges, and while re
it turning met an acquaintance, to whoE
49, he said he was going up to Curtis
- to kill his wife, that he had Just bee
after a pistol to do it with. He a.
" rived at the house between two an
Is. three o'clock. In the yard he inquil
- ed Of James, a son of Mr.. Curtis,
= young man, which room Laura wa
in, and was told she was in the kitcl
III en-, washing dishes. He then aske
~ James to 90 in with him, and Starte
- towards the door. James fo!lowe
# slowly, and as he entered the door |
>. heard Mrs. Shepard cry out, 20
don't jim, and saw her struggI
" with her husband, who had a piSu
at in his hand. Young Curtis seize
ii. him and tried to hold him, and in tt
MS struggle the pistol was discharge
20 doing no harm. Mrs. Shepard an
8 Mrs. Greenwood, the nurse, then ra
" across the entry into the sick roof
d. Shepard followed, having reloadt
ISIS his pistol, and was again seized /
tie Curtis, and his second shot was i
M effectual. Shepard then succeeded
II forcing open the door of the siC
room and entering, shutting it again
ISL Curtis, who then ran to call for b
ro- brother, who was near by. As so,
. as Shepard entered the room he fir,
in. another Intellectual shot. Mrs She
=; ard then threw herself upon the b.
with the sick woman, and fired ty
as more shots at her. Mrs. Curtis, t
his sick woman, said don't shoot me,
no. which Shepard replied, don't fret
ais won't hurt you, but | am going
- shoot Laura His wife then got c
" of the room, and as she crossed t
'te entry towards the kitchen he fir
My again, the bullet taking efect-in /
right temple, and she fell dead acre
,o the threshold. The two brothC
came in just in season to see her f
WI and to see him go out at the fro
OF door.
lot, Shepard Immediately took to
,ur- fields and woods, going in the dir
the ton of Cherry Valley, the spectat
90 of his murderous work being
g.. much excited and frightened to p
~ vent it. Information was sent
'SeS once to the police Office, and c
ter, Marshal brennan with some six
We eight officers, and Coroner j. Mar
,om Rice hurried to the spot, and arri
,o;n there about an hour after the d.
was committed. The body was fol
Gus lying where it fell, the family SUPP
ing it Improper to move it till the
the rival of the coroner.
al The officers were at orce dispat
rae ed in different directions in sea
and of the murderer. Those who W
- to Cherry Valley soon got on
- track, and followed him to sevt
men houses, stores and factories, at e
and of which places he told what he
lore done, and threatened the life of
doe officer who should attempt to ar
~ him. AT the house of his sister
'CON 4 ha l.