The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-01-18

from disabling him however. it seemed to
add new animus to his exertions, and in
the darkness and windings of the streets
he was soon lost sight and track of. Re-
turning TO the store blood was found up
on the snow, and for some distance a con-
tinuous dropping stream marked his
course. After that the stain grew small
sr and appeared at greater intervals, until,
in the houseyard at Byron Smiths two
miles south Of the town, all traces COM
pletely disappeared.
At daylight, having followed the track
thus far, Sheriff Trip returned with sew
eral assistants and instituted thorough
search of the premises. For some time it
was prosecuted unsuccessfully, until some
one remembered that Mr.. Smith employed
man servant who, although at home,
thus far remained invisible This man,
whose name is William Hyer, was called
down from his room and searched He
submitted readily to the examination un-
til requested to remove his coat and show
his bare arms, when he said, gentlemen,
you've caught me in my first attempt"
Upon removing his shirt sleeve and a
tightly wound bandage, Mr.. Vallette's
trade mark was found upon his right FORE
arm in the shape oftwo buckshot wounds
He was carried to the Jail, and attended
by DR.. Bass.
Later in the day two other young men,
named Frank Bushee and Gordon Selleck,
were arrested by Sheriff Trip and placed
under the jailor's care.
Thursday the examination of Hyer and
Selleck was had before Justice Simmons.
Before speaking of this, some account of
the personal appearance of these two
may not be uninteresting. Hyer, the
principal offender is young man about
twenty-five years old; six feet high I'M
calmly and slim, sandy complexion, tow
head and pug nose, with very few Of the
personal characteristics of so successful
thief. His appearance was not improved
by the sling in which he carried his right
arm, and be failed to excite much SYM
pathy from the spectators. Selleck, on
the contrary, is boy about fifteen years
old, Of delicate appearance, and evidently
as unsophisticated in criminal trials as
distressed at the sad situation in which he
was placed. The State was represented
by Messrs. Clark and Eldridge Young
Selleck was accompanied by Charles Til
den who had been retained for the defense
by his friends, but who evidently, know
ing the proof against him to be too strong,
had advised him to plead guilty. Being
the first one examined the complaint was
read to him and he made short statement
under oath to the effect that he had been
connected with the entering of the stores
Of l. r. Sayres and II. A. Sheldon, but
declared that he knew of no other parties
directly or indirectly connected with
Hyer in the preparation Of these crimes
The examination was short, ana liver,
the offender inchi eff so far as yet appears,
was put on the stand it is proverb
that an honest confession is good for the
soul and the one he made, although hardly
Of that nature, must have relieved his
mind as much as it gratified the curiosity
Of the late sufferers Under the question
ing Of the prosecuting attorneys he un-
gracefully admitted that he had broken,
entered, and stole from, eight different
stores in town, making, in two cases, two
separate entries. He also implicated
Sellcck in five offenses besides the two he
had confessed aud concluded by plead
ing guilty to entering the stores of
Champlin and Edredge in Last Middle
bury.
We have no space to give the details
of his statement and confession. Upon the
table in the court room was spread
multitude of articles of all descriptions
Hardware, groceries, keys, clothing, boots,
shoes, pipes, gunpowder and confection-
cry, amounting in all to but a small por-
ton of theIproperty taken. HERS bail
was fixed at twelve thousand dollars, and
that of his accomplice, young Seleck at
three thousand five hundred dollars.
OF course there can be no question as
to the guilt Of both, but in seems to us
that there should be as to their respective
punishments. Gordon Selleck is boy
not quite fifteen years Of age, hardly
year beyond what is known in law as the
age Of discretion. However much he
deserves punishment, and doubtless it will
be salutary, it should still be remembered
that he has been for long time the COM
panion of at least one man who from
superior age and intelligence had power to
exert more or less influence over him.
That he did so, and the nature of that in
fuence, is shown by the unfortunate stu
alton he now occupies. 1t does not seem
probable that he has either the mental
capacity or physical courage to originate
these crimes himself. 1t is to be hoped
that opportunity will be given him to re-
form. We understand from his counsel
that he desires to have his punishment,
and expresses his determination to vet
become what he may easily bean honest
and honored man.
Last Saturday evening Byron Smith
was arrested for some alleged connection
with these burglaries and lodged in Jail.
Monday afternoon, Bushee was examined
before Justice Simmons for receiving stol.
en- goods, and bound up in $1,000 He
was committed in default of bail
>Addison County.s-~..,.
Henry Johndro, while at w6fks-ia
kngsley's Wooden Mill, at Salisbury,
last Thursday was caught in the machine
Il l. Al