Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-09-13
Shocking Murder At Franklin. Nh

FRANKLIN, N. H., Sept. 4. A terri
BILE murder was committed here at an
early hour this morning. About three
o'clock VIM. F. Thompson was called
and told that his son-in-law, Henry F.
Gardner, had been killed in the house
of Thos. Mcconnell, by Elijah G. Ste
vens. Mr.. Thompson hurried to the
place, and Deputy Sheriff j. P. San
born of East Franklin, who had also
been summoned, arrived soon.
The house was on Main street,
near the Post Office. On entering
one of the lower rooms, where the
crime had been committed, Gardner
was found on the floor dead in a pool
of blood. Some of the furniture was
tipped over, which was the only other
indication that violence had been |
committed. In the room were Nc
Cornell and Stevens.
On the arrival of the Sheriff and
others Stevens pointed to the dead
body and exclaimed: Il have killed
poor Henry, one of my best friends.
There he lies, and here | am; do what
you please with me; will go where
you say" When asked how he killed
Gardner. he answered." With knife"
and added that he chad thrown the
knife over the house" Stevens's face
was badly pounded, and blood, flow
ing from some of his wounds, had
besmeared bis face and almost satura-
ted his Shir5 front and vest.
The murdered man lay on his right
side. There were five knife wounds,
four of them very severe. The only
other injury was cut on the back of
the head, probably caused by the body
striking a stove when it fell Sheriff
Sanborn took Stevens into custody,
and went with him to the hotel, where
the murderer's wounds were dressed.
1t is difficult at this time to get ali
the particulars Of the awful deed. It
appears that Gardner and Stevens
had been friends for some years bast.
Last evening they invited a mutual
friend to play cards, and Mcconnell
joined them and asked them into his
house. They played fourhanded en-
cher until midnight, when one Of the
party left.
! Gardner and Stevens then com
f menced playing for money in small
, sums. Luck was with Stevens, who
, won steadily from his opponent
Stevens said Il beat you every time
p and can keep doing So" Gardner
: was excited, and probably all were
il drink. Ten dollars a side were
o put up for the last game. and Steven;
\ won as before. When the winner
o scraped the money into his poke
> the trouble commenced, but in exactly
. what manner cannot now be ascer
# tanned. 1t is thought that Gardne
might have been enraged by Stevens
| sarcastic remarks, or that he believed
!. that his partner had played foul. |
seems that Gardner knocked Steven
into the corner of the room. whel
-, Mcconnell rushed between them
Gardner slipped behind Mcconnell
= and again went at Stevens, when tn
latter drew out q large sized jack
knife and stabbed Gardner five times
Mcconnell says he did not see tn
j. knife, and that Gardner did not spea
ie after he fell. 1t is said that Steven
D. claims that be acted strictly in sci
defence, while the friends of Gardne
d say that nothing has yet transpire
y to justify Stevens in using a knit
: when his opponent was unarmed, an
j, when at the same time McCorne
d was doing all in his power to kee
y them apart.
y While Stevens was on his way I
le the hotel he asked the Sheriff for h
u revolver, but it was refused. Stever
$ then SAID to the Sheriff: oh! shoe
lg me, and tell them that | ran away an
On you had to shoot me.
e. The murderer is OF medium higl
H. and compacJly built, IS general
ca agreeable in manner aad appearance
Us but at times Is Incorporate. lie
re forty years old, aud was born
lN Berlin, Vermont; has been sailo
W and served in the war as a memb,
" Of the Sd L. s Heavy Artillery. 4
at has of late been in the employ Of A.
cd Stewart ofFrauklin. as a currier, a.
is a steady and peaceablc workma
at He viii be afraigped tomorrow
, the charge OF murder GardHcr ",
~, about thirty-two years Oh, ana
de said to have been a native Of Ma
he chester. He had lived in Frank
as some ten or twelve years, and
M occupation was q baggage master, ru
ch ming between White River Juucti,
It's and Boston. He was q faithful el
'K' ploye and had many friends. The
ne: ceased leaves a wife and one chill
nd