Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1867-02-22

Franconia, N. II OF which We gave an
account a, the time, some two months since.
The murderer proves TO be one Samuel
Mills, who was examined at Franconia
last week and is now in Jail awaiting trial.
On Monday evening of last week Mills
was taken to the murdered mans house.
where disorder and innocent blood still re-
main. He was accompanied by the select
men OF the town, Detective Sargent and
Mr.. Whitney, Who has charge Of the
premises. They pointed out to him the
trightful stains of blood and talked TO him
in subdued and tender manner. He
offered scarcely word in reply but trem-
bled violently while the blood throbbed in
his temples. After he was conveyed back
to the hotel he remarked that he should
like to see Mr.. Sargent the next morning.
That night the criminal was very restless
and slept but little. The next morning he
told the detective that he wished to have
p ivaie talk with him. Mr.. Sarg- Mt told
him that whatever he might say mus, be
communicated entiiely by his own free
will and accord. The following was
THE CONFESSION OF MILLS.
Well, ! suppose have got TO die some
time. suppose it won't do me any good
nor harm, and l might as well tell you how
il is. Ididst mean to kill Maxwell when
went there. He struck me first and l
was so mad, that didn't know what to do.
l wanted to go il aud warm me, aud
raped at the door. Maxw,l Il opened the
door aud asked him if he would let me
come in and warm me. He said no. |
said don't you know me? its Sammy Mills.
| He answered again, no. | asked him if
might lake his horse. He was mad and
struck me on the shoulder with an axe. !
was SO mad that / did not know what to
do, but did not mean TO kill him. / had
not been drinking. Maxwell struck rue
with his strelyards. l broke open his
trunk to get the key to the stable, but did
not get any money. ! went 10 the house
at half past six and it was all done soon as
got there. / drove straight to Gorham.
Then / went to Island Pond on freight
train. Then went to Montreal on night
train. From Montreal ! went over Grand
Trunk road to Detroit, and thereto Galens,
TO get work. suppose l have got 10 be
hung.
Such was the voluntary confession of the
perfectly unnamed and wept freely. He
seemed at last to realize the enormity of his
awful crime. MIR. Sargent examined his
shoulders, but there Was no evidence of
any wounds. Mills feicned an injury by
giving an unnatural position TO ore of bis
shoulders. The prisoners statement that
Maxwell struck him first is believed TO be
entirely absurd, for the victim Lad been
known for years as one Of the most peace
able Of men. The police detective and the
town authorities of Franconia entertain a
very plausible theory as 10 the murder.
They believe that Mills went to Maxwelrs
house for the sole purpose of killing him
and getting his money; that Mills looked
into the north-end window Of the house
and saw Maxwell at supper; that he then
went round through the back door into the
kitchen, and that Maxwell asked him to
take some supper; that Maxwell went into
the pantry to get a plate and more food
that Mills followed him there, knocked him
down with stick of wood and then fin
ished the murder with knife and axe
There are many evidences tending to prove
this supposilion CT the case. Mills tracks
were seen at the north window, and there
was one chair at The table in such position
as the person might naturally leave it in
getting up. Under AaxweHs body was a
candle, which he had probably taken with
him into the pantry, and near him on the
floor were several buscuis.