New-York tribune., 1870-08-05
THE SULLIVAN COUNTY HORROR

Later developments in the case OF the at
tempted killing Of the old man Joseph Coyt at Bethel,
Sullivan County show to have been OF more horrlpe
nature first reported. The supposed assassin
man named Ira France, having been apprehended, and
the circumstances in the being submitted to care
full examination 1t is believed that the causes leading TO
the tragedy are follows: Ira France is welkn0wn
desperate living near Bethel and is by trade mason;
The Saturday previous TO the occurrence ne nad Dee
paserng at the McAlliser farm, which Is owned Dy
man named Dupuy Teeple, where he saw and BECAME
Layton sister of Mr. Teepe's wife, living with them
first account Of the affair stated that the person
making the deadly assault upon Joseph Coyt was IN e
house in search OF Pundef supposed 70 Pe9ng 70 .e
M no there for time nor in the neigh
borhood that it was universally known ihat tne 9ly
pie the old man Coyt and Miss layton 1t was also
well known to everybody that Coyt was poor man; ana
at CaicOm Depot and there was no money or treasure
OF any kind about the house. On Saturday nlght Iast
France Govt went home about 10 O'clock France re-
marking to him that he had better look out at that
marked that he'd take Care Of himself About O'Clock
ths Se gns to his at Big Pond the
following morning and went out About an hour there-
aTeT isr M aP beard the CTy Of Marder Murder
the direction Of the farmhouse and as soon as pos
BILE rushed to the place He found Miss layton OUTSIDE o
Coyt lying on the ground He learned from the
= noise % in Coyts room, which she soon became aware
was a struggle between two or more men, as she could
window mpon zza and stood undecided what TO do.
As she stood there she heard some coming rapidly
up stairs and try her door which was locked
The person the door finding 1t fastened commenced
beating it down, when she sprang from the piazza to the
ground below, and hid in patch OF corn. She had no
seceted herself than the door was broken ill., and
in short time she heard the man descending the stairs
again. and return TO the room of Coyt She then heard
nine heavy blows struck with an AK apparently upon
the Sor 10 nd coy Sf d the oo in then hS ds
Coyt, crying Murder" jumped out Of the window, and
along the piazza to tamarack tree at one end OF IT.
nd c i'm he'd 10
holdt up COyt, though weak from loss OF blood,
was sensible and told Bandhodt that he was awakened
by some striking light In his ROOM but before ne
could see who 1t was he received blow the face with
an AK which knocked him senseless for time, being
unable TO until he was aroused by the sound OF the
blows upon the hoor when ne Went as iast as he was
able toward the window, which fortunately was up.
Just he climbing out, he received another blow
upon the back Of the head. Coyt was vfsbly growing
alarm and coming up, he and Miss Layton,
who was severely injured by her jump, were taken
TO DIR. Gillespies at the village Mr.. Bandholdt,
Miss Layton the day before, immediately suspected nm
to be the assant, and his opinions shared by all
The next day France was found skulkng toward home
by roundabout way, and he was arrested. Lawyers
summoned from Monticello, and hearing had the
result OF which that France committed to the
county Jail to await trial at october court
The the theory pretty generally accepted Is that was
the intention of France since working al the house TO
enter the room Of the girl at night and that he cooly
Citizens who affect to know France say that he would
have murdered the girl il he had succeeded in his
iniqutous designs upon her. and would not have hest
ated to fire the house to destroy all traces OF thecrme
large crowd assembled at the examination and there is
scarcely doubt if France had been discharged but that
he would have been iyuched. -'
Up to latest accounts both COyt and the girl in
very critical condition. the latter being injured inter
nay. Coyt cannot recover, and Miss Ly ton not.
The former Is about " years of age, the latter IL 20
France is married man, and has child. He is but
recently out OF jail for matreating his wife.