Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-11-01

BURGH.
We find the following interesting narrative
IN the Albany Evening J0Rrnal, and recognize
in the signature the name Of friend ADD form
er associate in the editorial charge Of cur paper
Mr. Dsming. We need not say 10 all who know
him, Is by no means sensational writer.
and any story he tells may he set down as plain
unyarnished truth.
Ems. FREE PREss.
PATTsBuRGH. \. y. Oct. l. 1867.
left Albany, by place of residence, on
Manday last to come 10 the village Of Platts-
burgh. TIE facts which have to relate, seem
to me 10 present q Case nut surpassed by those
noted cas' go often cited by counsel upon a
defence. when they EEK to show the probable
iailacy Of circumslantial evidence. however
conclusive 1t may appear.
have to turn backward eleven years in
tn history OF this town. a1d 10 the consId
eratiun OF capital case, the main points Of
which still linger in the memory of quite a
number Of citlz rs. Il Is from those who
wore tie TrucIyal actors in the courts of
justice here al the time. that have for the
most part gained my Information.
SIX miles s0utherly il. IA the village Of
PlAtt-hurgh hut within tie limits Of the
several families bv the name of Weather
Wax They constitute neighborhood or
clan, all related t. one anottes such a. is
not unir quently found in country districts
Their z n raj position, character and c1udi-
ton now, Is substantially a 1t vas eleven
years ago, a; which time the facts Of this
case take their rise. In lS56 the Weather
wa1es were a numerous, widely known con-
necfIon OF hearty vigorous people, rough,
daring and energetic, and engaged, for the
mort part, in the ordinary pursuits of la
bOrers. The m3notonous lab.r uf tbe farm
Was not well suited L. tta character and
natural dispHsitiIn OF .lme ai their mum
Der. Unusual physical power, and that
Tesutssntss Of sIiIl; VI .ch j. impatient of
regulating iIfiuenc,s or OF control, inclined
them TO pursuits IN which something Of
hazard and danger could DE found and which
would give some opportunity for rowing
life. Some OF them turned their attention
10 boating upon Lake Chanplain, as the
pursuit which most readily met and gratifed
IN good degree their natural tastes and
preferences. OF this number was Captain
John u. WeatLorwax. a man described 10
ne r. type OF hIs cl8,s. haie. hearty,
iearl,ss fellow Of fine pay,io,I Proportions
and daunJless spirit that would not brook
oontradicupn. lie was abe ciP-ain and pro-
bAbly tie owner OF a lake boat winch be-
piled between this and otl,r ports On the
New York and Vermln Shores S, and down /
the LAKE across the line, 90 tic ports Of Can |
ada.
There was another % the boatmen, An
drew MgatheIwax, d cousin OF the Captain
At the date 0f wbIca ] am writing Andrew
hoo. q g IL. 4
v easheTwax. and aided him 10 the naviga-
ton of liz vessel
1t WAS in the latter part Of June Of the
year 1856. as have gathered the facts, that
Capt. w attended by his cousin, sailed from |
Platt-burgh for a Canadian port In the |
course OF the cruise. having. 1t would seem.
discharged bis cargo, be came with his boat to
Pike uyer, u stream OF estuary that empues |
into or connects with Lake Champlain, Just
beyond the Canada line and upon the east 1
side Of the lake. Here Capt. Weaiherwax
Was TO obtain q lading If wood, with when
10 freight his boat and return - PlatlsbuTgh.
And here occurred the tragedy which constI-
tutes the body Of the crime IN this remark
able case.
The boat was lying at the wharf, and the
loading Of the wood bai already commenced.
10 addition TO the captain and MS cousin
Andrew. there was a third man upon the
bat, who was an employee. Thls third
man became the Imp0r an- witness IN the
ea-e. During the day, while they were
loading the boat. this witness. as he after
EaTd testified. observed the captain and his
cousin in violent quarfel. There were
high and passionate words, and threats en-
ploycd without stint OF measure. The
quarrel and wranglIng continued at inter-
walls. and the angry feelings Of the parties
dId not appear 10 suhsidc at all as the day
wore on, but seemed rather TO increase than
diminish, and the quarrel Was at it's height
near night fall. AT evening, while the cap
tain and his cousin were near the bow OF
the boat. the witness stood alone at the
stern. Darkness had settled around hiu,
aud the stiffness of the summer night was
disturbed only By the alteration, which, If
1t had lulled at all, bad again broken out
between the captain and has employee, the
cousin. As time passed on, although moth
ING could he seen ny tins man at the stern
OF the vessel, the noise Of a wordy Conflict
and threats OF violence continued TO be
beard by him. Finally. however, the quar-
rel seemed TO have been brought 10 a sudden
termination and IN a very singular manner
There came through the darkness 10 the ear
lf the listener the sound of a dull heavy
thud, as of powerful blow with some
heavy weapon crushing through skull. and
then all was srlll.
Soon after this the Captain came aft, but
without his cousin. What could the wit
ness, who had listened to the TRANSACTION,
do OF say? he bad seen nothing be could
prove nothing. The Captain was his en-
lIoYer. and they two were now alone. ThG
employee took no steps in the matter what
ever at that time. The night passed away.
N Il morning there was the hat Of Andrew
eatherwsx, and near il blood, upon the
forward deck OF the vessel The Captain
was moody and tecIturn, aud did not sIeak
Of bis cousin.
Such Was the statement OF this witness.
Was he the only listener to the sounds that
came iron the fearful tragedy that was en-
acted IN that night-watch when human llie
vas taken In anger By a kInsman's hand
u aiterward a pear, that such was not the
case lhe captain of another boat subse-
quehtiy testified that he too heard the al
lercau1n and the fatal blow. just at that
unle' however, nothing Was said ur done.
ana The next day. and the next, and still
the next psss,d away, and nc accusation was
made against CaptaIn Weatherwax. Twas
saiu and known that a man-the man-yas
Tslng n, from the boat nothing more.
me Osptaln returned unmolesied with
ba,osei 'essei to Plattsburgh When inquired
TI,.9 Al regard to his cousin, be gave what
49,, uetmed evasive answers. The cousin,
inaas saiu. had gone here or there, or to some
aS aIcennie Place OF which the Captain seem
u1oie or unwilling TO give any account
.ha n.a now the second part of this remark
rnr-.t aO.e .tansaction took place. An event oc
D.. Do ""ieh attracted much attention at
h e ,iser. on the very spot where the
atVi CaptsIn W. bad been moored, the
.ea1 oody OF man, recently killed, was
'AAen from the water The man had eyi-