Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-12-14
NbitehalI-A singular Case D A
Man Found Dying in barn
from Hunger and Exposure.


The Troy Times says: Wednesday
morning. the 9th inst, Mr.. Alden, o. +.
DAvis's coachman, in going to the barn
missed buff4lo robe, and reported the
fact to Mr.. Davis. He was directed to
keep silent about it and perhaps it would
be found with some one. Search was
made 10 the barn, but no trace of it could
be found Saturday afternoon about
o'clock the coachmsn was in the barn and
heard an unusual noise. Hearing the
noise repeated he got ladder and went
to the top of the NOW, and found man,
wrapped in the missing buffalo robe and
covered with hay, apparently in the last
agopies of death. He was gasping once
in about every three minutes, his limbs
were rigid and cold and his eyes set.
Mr.. Alden at once notified Mr.. Davis, who
administered stimulants for an hour and
a half, when the man began to breath
regularly. He was insensible and unable
to speak He was removed to house
near by and attended to, when, in few
hours he was able to whisper, and gave
his name as Frank Davis of Greenfield,
Mass. He was blind for long time, and
complained of his inability to open bis
eyes. when they were wide open, but be
could see nothing. He would moan that
"this is a hard, hard world where man
can get no work and must suffer as l do"
When asked if be would have anything
to relieve him he would reply that "he
had no money" The village authorities
have him in charge. In an interview
with him be gave his name and address
as above He is thirty years of age, and
has wife and child living at Greenfield,
Mass.
He has lived in Brandon, Rutland and
West Fort Ann for the past five years,
and had been employed as a farm laborer.
His last place of service was at East Ru-
pert, VI, where, be says, he worked for
well-to-do but hard-hearted, farmer who
employed him for eight months at $25
per month. He was advised by neigh
bors to look out for his pay. but neglected
to do so. Daring the eight months be
took up bnt five dollars of his wages. and
at the expiration of bis term his employer
would give him but ten dollars, alleging
that money was tight and that be had not
sold his potatoes and hadn't the $3.50 due
to Davis The settlement, such as it wa''
took place Monday, December 4th. Davis
at once secured the service of lawyer
and fonnd thst he would have to wait
until March next to recover Judgment.
He started that afternoon for this place,
his fare here and fees to his attorney us
ing up his ten dollqrs He arrived here
Tuesday morning and sought work, but
could fnd rome. He was too high spirit'
ed TO ask relief, and that night about ten
o'clock sprung the door of Mr.. Dtvis's
barn out from the bottom, crowded in,
took the robe, went to the NOW expecting
to sleep there that night, get up and geek
work in the morning bat knows nothing
further until resuscitated as given above
This il the most singular case ever known
in this vicinity, that in a community
known to be so liberal and benevolent a
fellow-beiDg should be near starvation
and not make his wants known. He is a
genteel appearing young man, says he
never drinks anything stronger than
cider. He is a member of the Methodist
church in Greenfield, and next to his
thapkfulness for his truly wonderful es-
cape from death, is desire for return
OF health and strength that he may get
work and pay the village for its expense
in his behalf. The facts of the case hsv-
ing been presented to the Young Mems
Christian Association at their Sabbath
afternoon prayer meeting a contribution
was at once taken for Davis's benefit.
The Ladies' Benevolent Society met
at the rooms Of the Young Mems Chris
tian Association Monday at o'clock p. m,
to relieve the wants of Davis aud three 9th
er cases of destitution brought TO the no.
| tice of the Association.