Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1872-11-08
The Terrible Tragedy at Northwood
N. n.

Correspondence Of the Boston TraVollcr.l
1t appears that ono Franklin b. Evans,
alias Frank Evans, the murderer, is aged sc
years, was born in STAFFORD, N. H., and has
lived there, in Northwood, Derry, Manchcs-
ter. Newmarket, and elsewhere; in fact is I'm
itinerant, has been an advent preacher and
eNhorter and pretended doctor. He has
always been known for his low cunning, ndo-
lcnce and lazincss lie latterly boarded with
Sylvester Day whose wife is his sister Mr.,
Day has daughter. Susan Day who is the
mother of the murdered child,-thc father
being dccease's. Day lives on II cross road
which cads from NOrhwood near Mead's
store, to Strafford, 10y the west end of Bow
Pond. and about mile from Mcad's store.
On the morning of the 25th of last month.
Evans told the family that he was going TO
visit neighbor by the name of Hill, and
asked his victim, Miss George Day, aged IL
years, If she would go to Ilarveys woods
near by, in about I'M hour, and look to the
partridge snarcs. She consented, and Evans
went down the road towards Hills. In due
time the girl went to the woods, and being
gone much longer than expected was looked
after by her grandmother who only found her
apron stuck on the top of II stick in the piece
of woods Word was then sent to Ililns to
it was found that neither had been there the
family and nelghbors were greatly excited
and commenced n search. During the after
noon Evans was seen by some of the search
crS coming from As entirely different dircc-
ton from which nc had started, and upon
being asked where he had been and If he had
seen George, said that he had altered his
mind after leaying the house, and had been
up to Roberts, his brother-in-law, TO dinner.
lle then went to Days. This was about l..
NJ He said he had heard that George was
missing and had come home to see about ii.
He seemed much Interested in the matter.
In the meantime u part of the round toilet
comb which she had worn was found in the
woods, and the excitement grew intense.
Suspicion rested on Evans SO much so that
he was placed under keepers by the select
men. The story that lac had hcru to Rob-
erts had been found to be "a lIlschood. and
that night Justice john Mead ordered his
permanent detention, on suspicion, and had
him stripped naked to sec if there were any
evidences of blood upon him. Not the slight
est evidence could be found.
Notwithstanding the rain storm on Satur
day tho Goth, more than 200 persons were
engaged in the search with increased excite
ment. Evans remained perfectly calm and
collected. taking his meals and talking As
usual Many thought he was innocent. The
search was continued until Tuesday. when II
complaint was made before Ira b. IIoitt,
Justice, upon which Deputy Sheriff Henry
Drew. Of Stafford arrested him. Soon after
this he was told by Mr.. Mead II no would
produce the girl his freedom should be guar
anteed. In private talk with Mead on
Wednesday he admitted that the girl was
| alive but TINT he could not produce hor. He
was then asked TO tell what he knew, and
stated that he made IN arrangement with II
Mr.. Webster, of Kingston, n. H., to help
him abduct the girl, and had purpoSely got
her into the woods and there met Webster,
who changed her clothing and carried her
away. This seemed encouraging rs to her
being alive. Shoriil Drew took Evans to
| Kingston and found the man Webster. who
denied in toto the whole thing, and proved
conclusivelY that he had not been out of
| town. Evans then said he must he mistaken
as to the man, but said he thought il must be
another Webster in Manchester. Drew
took him back to Northwood, and ON Friday
he was again arIaigncd and committed TO
the Exeter Jail. Friday night about II
| O'Clock, after SONG Inducements being held
out by Drew to take him ncrnss the Canada
| line If lac would tell him where the girl was,
| dead or alive, he promised 10 show him,
| DPew,) and they started took II lantern and
went to llarney's woods, distance of four
miles from where no then had him, and In
the woods, under the roots of an old stump
| IN the swamp lie commenced to unearth, to
the utter establishment of the sheriff, the
dead body of George Day. Drew instantly
| GRABBED him, and quicker than thought iron
| ed him, taking him Immediately from whence
| they came. The town was aroused, DIR. &.
| W, Hanson called, aud ut daylight Evans
with many citizens was again taken to the
spot, Upon DR., Hanson Viewing tho body
he remarked to Evans, THE whole of this
body IL not her0.h Evans replied ~ will
show you where II is," and took them quar-
tor of mile distant and near n sawmill he
produced that portion of the girls body which
he had detached with n knife. II was with
| great difficulty that the crowd were now
prevented from mobbing him. The body
! Wns removed TO Mcad's store, whore I'M au-
| topsy was % haze boon mndo yesterday
Saturday afternoon, and m examination
| take place tomorrow forenoon,
Your correspondent " credibly informed
that some years since Evans gave his moth
| or n dose OF medicine (protonding to doctor
| herr on the Stratiord Poor Farm, from which
she immediately died
Several years ago u girl was missing in
| ppury, n. H., and has meyer been found,
he lived there then, ho no doubt murder
cd her. and II Is suspected now that he muir.
dered his wife and child | am informed
| that not long since he insulted this same
George Day and after apologizing gave her
u dress pattern, which is now being made up.
! 10 has admitted that after outraging the
| grit, he chOked hey 10 death.
The full particulars Of the terrible nutla-
tiQn of this girl by this Exams, both before
md Biler death, are totally unfit for publica-
| HOn,
| ---------H-s .-------~------s
Tho Woodruff and Callin women have ut
length been arrested and committed to Jail
in default of heavy BAIL for publishing OBJ
scene libels II is none too soon. In regard