Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-04-21
From the Rutland Herald Of Tuesday.
Shocking Murder In Bristol.
THRILLING DETAILS BY A ooRREsPoN-
DENT.

DENT.
Editor Rutland Herald The inhab
itants of our village were startled. las
Saturday night by the report that Johr
Ring had murdered Noah Thompson in
the street near the hotel. The shadow:
OF twilight were whispering of Sabbath
rest, when suddenly unusual noise and
profanity arrested our attention, and a
hurrying crowd gathered around the
murderer and murdered.
Ring, the assailant, was partly intoxi-
Gated and as usual dangerous, while his
antagonist had long entertained bitter
feelings of hatred and jealousy to ward
him. Ring had just been talking rough
ly to the hostler in the hotel, and as he
passed into the street Thompson said
some sneering words which aggravated
him, when Ring swore he would kill
him if he did not stand back. Thomp-
son dared him, and while his brain was
heated by the demon of alcohol, he drew
knife and struck blow that severed
the life currents from the heart of Thomp-
on.
After this death wound, Thompson
clincheI him and they fell to the ground
when Ring dealt nine more blows on diff
ferent parts of his body. The last words
of Thompson were shave got the knife"
when he became unconscious and died.
Sheriff Vinton was ordered to arrest
Ring, but ere he did SO, Ring eluded him
and rushed into the darkness. but seeing
all chances of escape fruitless gave him
self up after brief effort. Due form of
trial was held, and at one o'clock Sab
bath morning he was taken to Middle
bury Jail by Vinton and his efficient as
sistants. When he became sobered he
manifested deep contrition at what he
had done. When his associates took
leave of him his emotions were painful
to witness.
Ring is stout man, abont forty years
OF age, of respectable parentage, and
generous impulses, but the demon of
drink dragged him hellward, and years
ago resulted in the tragic death of
lovely wife, and now the termination of
his career is the inevitable result of ap-
petite and passion unrestrained. The de-
ceased had been soldier in the Union
army peaceable citizen. He was about
thirty years of age and leaves no chill
dren to mourn his untimely fate.
Am | my brothers keeper" cries the
blood from the street, and this terrible |
temperance advocate calls loud for re-
form in the strong undercurrent of soci-
ETY.. God speed the day. JIG.
Bristol, April II, 1871.
Since the above was put in type, we
have received the following details
through the courtesy of the Middlebury
Register, from the special correspondent
of that paper at Bristol:
COMMENCING THE ARRAY.
The row had its beginning between
Ring and the hostler at the Bristol House
Thompson said something to the hostler
which Ring noticed and replied to, which
changed thescene from hostler to Thomp-
son as the opponent of Ring.
As Ring moved towards his horse and
wagon which stood near, Thompson fol-
lowed, not very close, however. Ring in
the meantime saying, do not follow me
100 far" When he reached the wagon
III person holding the horse handed the
ines to him, but he laid them down and
'aid to Thompson, if you come here
mentioning particular spot) l will
make hole through you, you will new
n go any further. Thompson replying,
hat he was not afraid, and that he had
right to walk where he pleased; and
lie came near the spot named by Ring.
lhG ClhDDlNp. /
This last movement of Thompson
'rought the two quite near together. At
his moment Ring made sort of spring
owards Thompson, plunging his knife in
ust at the upper edgeof the collar bone.
They struck at each other once or twice.
When Thompson gave Ring such blow
n the face that he staggered back and
downward, Thompson falling upon him.
Ring turned Thompson and then the b.
tanders heard the cutting of his clothes.
Ring was then seized and taken off,
Thompson said, after he was down, that
lie had got the knife away from Ring
which proved true.
REMOVAL OF THE BODY.
Thompson never moved after Ring was
AIKEN off from him. He was taken I'D and
arried and laid on the front steps of Dr..
daseltine's drugstore. He gasped two or
hree times after he was laid down. Drs-
dasseltine and Prime examined the
wound little, but no human skill could
ave him.
APPEARANCE OF THE BODY.
The appearance of the body as it lay
49, Al \