The New York herald., 1870-12-26

A Lad Of Seventeen Butchers an
OctOgenarian.
Sketch Of His Crime, Capture,
Trial and Sentence.

WINDSOR, VT, Dec. %, 1870.
In the State Prison IN this place Is now confined,
snder sentence OF death, young man only nine
teen. His crime the murder OF q defenceless old
man in his own doorway is justly considered one OF
the worst cases OF homicide ever known in YER
mont His cool indifference and apparent careless
Of the consequences or his diabolical perform
ance show an amount OF depravity seldom found In
one 80 young. This boys name Is Henry Welcome,
Of French parentage, and his victim was Mr.. Perry
Russell, OF Hinesburg, VT. Mr.. Russell was well
known and respected farmer, member OF the
Methodist Episcopal Church, OF some considerable
property and aged about seventy-sX years.
THE MURDER
was committed on the evening Of the Sd OF October.
1885, ab out hafpast eight. Mr.. Russell and ms
wife, the sole occupants OF the house. had retired to
rest about eight O'Clock, but half an hour afterwards
were startled by knocking at the door. Mrs. Rus
sell told her husband not to open the door
until he aseerained who was there. Mr.
Russell accordingly made inquiry. and was
answered. "Joe Bushy, want 10 come In.' Deceived
by mention OF q name with which he was familiar,
he opened the door and was instantly feled by
blow from heavy barndoor hinge, twenty inches In
length, In the hands OF Henry Welcome His gr0ans
and exclamation, 30 Lordl' aroused his wife from
bed, who, coming to the spot saw the young as
raining shower OF blows upon MIN with The mur-
derous hinge. Almost paralyzed with terror Tor her
own safety, the old lady ned to the nearest neigh
bors, one hundred rods distant, and alarmed them,
who proceeded In turn TO the next house, and from
there they all returned to the scene OF the tragedy
The murderer had gone, but his victim was lying on
the Eoor, where he had first fallen In pool OF blood
and breathing heavily. He fingered In an uncon-
scious state until the next morning at ten O'Clock.
when he died. The surgeons In attendance found
nine scalp wounds from one 60 three inches in
length and deep cut in the crown OF his head.
The murderer, after finishing his horrid work,
ransacked the house for the plunder he
expected to obtain, but could ind nothing
except a small black trunk containing notes, deeds
and other valuable papers. THIS was afterwards
found adjoining farm In q eld half q mile dis
tant, the contents taken out and strewed around.
hope OF finding large sum OF money, but this he
was foied, as MIR. Russell had, few DAYS previous
deposited his funds, same 5000 In United States
Hinesburg. He knew that Mr.. Russell possessed
this money, because he had at one time worked for
him.
was active and successful. The services OF N. b.
Flanagan, an expert detective of Burlington, were
Immediately secured, and q reward OF l,0V0 was
offered to bring the VILLAIN 10 justice. On the 9Th Of
October, just TWO days after the butchery, he was
arrested at waterbury, VT, where he had gone on
the cars from Essex Junction, ana he was taken to
Burlington. On his way there he met the funeral
tonisning indifference and utter coolncss.
THE TRIAL.
After preliminary examination before justice
be was committed To jail to await trial at the County
Court. The following April his case came up, ana q
verdict Of guilty was given. On technicalty Of
law he was allowed TO appeal to the Supreme Court.
Pending the session Of that tribunal he was re-
manded to the state Prison at Windsor, the jail at
Burlington not being considered sufficiently secure.
The Supreme Court having confirmed the edet Of
the County Court Welcome was sentenced ITO soli-
tary confinement one year in the State Prison at
Windsor ana then to be hanged by the neck until
dcad.n
EFFORTS FOR COMPUTATION
OF sentence to life nprisOnuent At labor were
nearly successful. The Legislature III session last
october were petltoned on two grounds, VIZ, the
insanity. The House OF Representatives. turned a
willing ear to these petitioners Notwithstanding the
fact that much larger number OF his own towns
The law might be enforced in his case. They
even went a. So far as st, to allow his lawyer
ing which has precedent In the doings or any
gislatlve body. committee was also appointed to
visit MIN In the prison; and the result was that two
bills were passed, one TO commute Welcomes SEN
tence the other TO abolish capital punishment. Such
summary action startled the people Of the Whole
State tremendously. Protests arose from every
quarter especially from the clergy and the press.
The Senate however, TO their honor be 1t SAID,
fused to pass either OF the bills People breuthed
free once more. The efforts OF few false phan-
thropsts to override the just and wholesome laws OF
forced, have sIgnaly failed. In consequence OF this
extraordinary effort made to save one OF the worst
Williams from his Just deserts great interest Is mani
tested in this case The people Of VermOnt feel that
their safety lies In vigorous execution Of the law.
THE CRIMINAL
Is now In close cOnlnenlent calm and quiet. He
cuples his time MANLY IN reading the hooks rur-
nsned by the prison library. Although he taxes no
exercise, his health Is excellent and he eats hearty
meals. The chaplain OF the prison visits him
stantly and II Is to be hoped that the doomed young
man will seriously contemplate his dreadful end, SO
fast Ioachlng. The execution lis take place on
Friday, the 2oth day OF January next.