Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1870-10-05
Franklin County Court.
TRIAL OF MARSHALL GoFF--HIs STATEMENT
IN COURT.

The following is the statement made by
Marshall Golf in his trial for the shooting
of Albert Harris
Have lived in Richford six years last
April. Left the service some six mouths
before the close of the war. Commenced
duties as Inspector of Customs August Is,
1869. Have known Harr some 5 years
or from the time | went there. Pre-
vious to the time became Inspector
had had no trouble with him, except a
little when he factorized on me some So
due Mr.. Royce. This was in 1868.
After | began as Inspector met Har-
ris several times, coming from Canada.
Had made efforts to examine his team.
On the last occasion Of meeting him be-
fore the homicide, he said "fiow are you.
Marsh?" | made him no answer. He
said, "You son of bitch, if you ever stop
me III put hole through you" This
was Sunday night before this occurred.
TThc witness here detailed in sort Of
rambling way at considerable length how
he chased Harris that Sunday night. 1t
was Of no interest until they came togeth-
err, and that was the occasion when the
language just referred to WAS used.
Had heard from other parties of threats.
Geo. Corliss had advised me not to cross
the line for Harris would kill me. Have
had similar limitations from Mr.. Sweat
land. Had hired teams of him. One
night he said to me, Marsh, they are
laying for Slas Carpenter. Mr.. Holmes or
yourself Il don't remember which) and
youlkget knocked over" | poohcd at it
and made no farther reply, Deforrest Car
penter gave me similar warning. He
told me | must never lay for Harris for
he would poke me over. Harris was at
his Office and bought pair of gloves there
when this was said.
had been threatened by hundreds, |
might say almost every man that was
smuggling, for they thought was once
smuggler myself, ard knew better how to
catch them.
Can't say whether | ever met Harris at
Union House or not.
The threats began to be communicated
to me something like month after | had
taken the Office.
The night of the homicide, | bid Harris
halt, in front of Rounds & Bowright's
store He struck up his horse and crossed
the bridge like lightning. | looked into
Gibson & Corlss' store, saw John Smith,
told him that Harris had come, and that
IL he would help me would him. want
cd to look over his team.
We started at once up the street, walk
ing very fast, and saw Copeland sitting in
the wagon in front of Farrar's house. We
passed two or three rods, halted 5 or 10
minutes and conversed.
Harris came out, and Smith stepped M
and took the horse by the head. He said
''Hallo Harris!" and Harris lodged first
on one and then on the other side of the
wagon, then started upon the jump down
street.
Smith said to me, "Marsh, take care
of the team" and started after him calling
very loudly, "stop him." unbuckled
the nigh rein from the bit, turned the
horse around and followed on after. Met
them some twenty rods below and one of
them said Turn around and come back. "
think said call right and as was
turning the horse, the ground being roll
think the horse slipped, as the ground
was icy.
Harris said, Don't you hurt that horse,