Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-12-28
THE BRISTOL MURDER.
Trial of John A. Ring.
A ddIson County Court.
DECEMBER TERM 1871.
Hon. JOHN PIERro1NT, Chief Justice
Hon. THURMAN BRooKINs, ! AssiStant
Hon. ISAIAH L. STRONG, JudgeS.


Hon. THURMAN BRooKINs, ! AsslStnnl
Hon. ISAIAH L. STRONG, : Judgss.
Thursday Morning, Dec. 81.
The trial was resumed, the first witness
being
! SHELDON EATON.
Resides in Bristol was present when
Ring and Lewis had some words about
the purchase of wagon Ring took hold
of Lewis and gave him something of a
shaking I saw nothing then till the scuf-
fle between Ring and Thompson, and as !
went towards them I saw Ring make a
motion as if stabbing him. three times.
went forward and seized Ring, telling him
he was killing him. Somebody asked
Thompson, SIS he cutting you? He re-
piled ''no; as I've got his knife.
Cross Examination. am a farmer ;
have had business transactions with Ring !;
have sued him since he has been in Jail !;
don't know that I have been accused Of
making unfair charges in our accounts (;
I saw the stabbing, as l stood very near
the two men the homicide has been
talked over duriug the season l was one
of the party who guarded Rings property
and prevented Isaac Williamson from
getting the horses and other property be-
longing to Ring I am not an officer !;
don't know how many have sued Ring.
WARNER B. DUNsHEE.
Lives in Bristol was present when
Ring killed Thompson came out of DYKE
& Bixbee's store heard loud talk and
went up towards the parties, Lewis and
Ring; it was ten or fifteen feet from
Rings wagon Mansfield and Thompson
were in the party, and Ring said, 81 car
whip any of the crowd :" Thompson
stepped out and repeated hard words, as
we'll as Ring, who was fumbing his pock
cts, and l thought he had got a pistol, Sc
| kept Ring between myself and Thomp-
son. The crowd was working towards
the south, and Ring then said, "You had
better not follow me ; if you cross thai
line you'll never follow another man"
Ring started up and struck blow al
Thompson, which he repeated, and then
they clenched. Somebody said, He i.
cutting him." Ring said, "He has gor
the knife" Thompson was three or four
feet from the ravine, on the east side
When Ring struck Thompson he was b,
the east sido Of the ravine Ring was
tallest and heaviest of the two; Ring took
out his knife when he had commenced the
quarrel.
Cross Examination Thompson was
very strong man, and so considered by
every one had known Thompson about
eighteen years have heard him talk
about Ring, and something said about a
tracas they had in Lincoln. When they
were down, some one said, "Take him
off," and Ring said, "Let US alone" Thr
wagon stood about twelve feet from the
store, facing south Ring and Thompson
both worked along toward the wagon !;
Ring stood nearest the wagon--Thompson
was within three feet of him l saw Ring
strike him I was on the steps; there was
a large crowd the first time Thompson
was struck he rallied, and Thompson
struck King before they clenched, and
then they went down Thompson said
that 'he had the knife" and these were
the last words he spoke. Several men
men were on the steps when stood there !;
| examined the blood stains next day
they were on the west side of the gully !;
Thompson's head was towards the west
when he was taken up.
FREEDOM W. MOVES, ST. ALBAEs.
Resides at Bristol was present when
the killing occurred | heard the alterca-
ton, and stepped out from the store where
| was standing; I heard Ring say, "You
come down here and I'll let daylight into
you" Thompson came forward, and
Ring struck a downward blow; [ am
positive Ring struck the first blow after
the fall of both parties, it was but few
moments before they were separated and
Thompson was taken up; Thompson had
his hands in his pockets, or behind him
not in fighting attitude; after the fight,
Rings face was covered with blood ; the
blood stains were six or eight feet from the
gully, west when they were down, they
were between the store and DR.. Hazleton's
Office.
Cross Examination. - Thompson was
advancing towards Ring; then it was
that Ring struck him; l saw the first
blow and heard a second Thompson and
Ring both had dark clothes had known
Thompson three years thought he was a
strong man have heard Thompson say
that if he caught Ring under some circum-
stauces-that is, with Thompson's wife
he would pound him; Thompson gener-
ally talked about his own strength. |
once heard Ring say to Thompson, "lf
you lay your hands upon me, I'll kill
YOU this was some time previous to the
affray.
SAMUEL GILBERT.
Resides at Bristol; was present at the
killing of Thompson came into town
from work, and saw Ring and Thompson
with others; Lewis and Ring were quar-
relling; Thompson stepped up and en-
deavored to interfere, when Ring threat
ened him; Ring had something in his hand,
concealed under his coat ; soon they crap
pied, and then we heard tripping; )" the
- 49, r,,ebad forward hatore they |