Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-07-31
Domestic Nrms.
MURDER At ASOUTNE YVILLE, VT.
A MAN AND HIS WIFE BUTCHERED IN
COLD RfOOD


An uuprovoked and atrocious murder was com
mitted, Monday night, at Ascutneyville, in the
town Of Weathersfeld Vt. The victims we're a
farmer named Gowing, about 45 years old, and
his wife, few years younger, and the perpetrator
Of the crime was Frenchman an ugly and des-
perate character, who was employed, last summer,
by Mr. Gowng upon his farm Some time Mon
day night, probably about 10 o'clock, Mr.. Gowing
heard a knocking at his door. while voice from
outside called out The cows are in the corr. "
On going to the door Mr.. Gowng was met by the
Frenchman, who probably as soon he opened
it, struck him frightful blow over the head with
an axe, and completed his bloody work by beating
out his brains and mutilating his body in most
shocking mannerv All this was done in a few mo-
ments. and the Frenchman then crept 70 the bed
room Of Mrs. Gowing, knowing that she the
only other adult in the house. The same awful
fate was hers. He beat and cut her so horribly
that she survived but a very short time. The
double murder accomplished, the Frenchman ri1ed
the house for the money and valuables which he
supposed it to contain, and thoroughly cleaned
out bureau. where. to his knowledge, Mr.. Cow
ing had last year kept 5000 or $500 in govern
ment securities. How much be found and carried
away is net known.
But mis- crime had not been unobserved. In the
same room where her mother murdered a
frightened little girl. who through the whole trag-
edy lay in her trundle- bed afraid to speak, dimly
realizing that there was some great trouble. but
knowing not what to do. She heard and recog-
nized the Frenchmans voice, calling her father to
the door heard the slight noise attending the
murder Of her father, and the close at hand strug
gle for life which her poor mother made What
could she do2 She covered her face with the
sheet from fright, probably by her silence saving
her own life. and dropped asleep Early the
next morning Lemue Hitchcock, the nearest neigh
Dor, went TO the Gowing'S to grind scythe, He
neither saw nor heard any about the house,
and, knowing the family TO be early Tsers, his
suspicious were excited, and he entered the dwell
ling. The picture that met his vison startled him
{ like clap of thunder from a clear sky. There on
the floor was the ifeess body of Mr.. Gowing, be-
smeared with It's own blood and horribly ds6gured.
Fearing that like fate had befallen Mrs. Gowing,
he went quickly to her room, and there found his
worst apprehensions realized. In the same room
where her mother was lying in her gore, her little
daughter was discovered unharmed and fast
asleep.
/ Mr.. Gowiug's residence nearly mile south
/ Of Ascutneyvie. and five miles from Windsor, on
the direct road from the latter place to Charles
town, n. H. He had resided there six or seven
years, having removed thither from Springfield,
| VT. He was regarded by his townsmen as rather
peculiar, but was always quiet and peaceable and
the motives of the Frenchman in killing him could
have been only mercenary, as Mr. Gowng had
had no difficulty with him. Gowing was close fist
| ed and had saved scme $1,000 or 5000. He has
had four children, three OF whom have beer some
what idiotic and all of the three have died, one Of
/ them by drowning in the Connecticut river 1t is
mentioned that a wealthy man, OF whose heirs
| Gowng purchased the farm, committed suicide
| from fear Of coming TO want. There is report
that the Frenchman was arrested at Windsor, yes
/ terday afternoon, for the murder of Gowng. His
conviction will probably be easily secured, and he
certainly ought to suffer the EXTREMIST penalty Of
the law -Springfsld Republican 24th.