Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-05-16

We're DeHned and bOrno-hOW strangely!
meath his eyes.
NeaU York, Nay, 1872. E. W. Ii. c.
Murder at Pittstoyn, n. ".
Peter W. Ray, a wealthy farmer re-
siding about mile and quarter from
the village of TomhannOck, on the line
of the Troy & Boston railroad, was
murdered about 9 o'clock p. m, Friday,
within SIGHT of his own house. He had
just arrived at home from Troy, where
he had been during the day. Before en-
tering his dwelling he put up his horse
and then entered a narrow lane leading
to the house His wife, who was inside,
heard his voice and that of another in
conversation. The conversation was
brief and loud, and Mrs. Ray believed
that she recognized the voice, The voice
suddenly ceased, m0meltary SILENCE
followed, when the stiffness was broken
by the sudden and sharp report of two
pistol shots. These shots were fired at
Mr.. Ray. One bullet entered his mouth
and came out at the left of the chin. 1t
is believed that neither had fatal effect
but that the unfortunate mans
LIFE WAS POUNDED OUT OF HIM
by a heavy club which the murderer
used in striking him on the head and
face This club broke from repeated
use, and the brute then resorted to Il
large stone, fifteen inches long and eight
inches wide, which was repeatedly
hurled upon Mr.. Rays head, while he
lay upon the ground unable to move or
to make an cutlery! The continued
pounding reduced the head to a mass of
jelley. Even his most familiar friends
were unable to recognize the dead mans
features. Mrs. Ray, who had been
dressing herself, rushed from the house
and found her husband
LYING IN THE LANE, DEAD.
No other person was seen, and the
murderer escaped in the darkness of the
night. Word was Immediately sent to
the village, the rcsidentsof which turned
out in body. and searched the vicinity
for the murderer but without success.
THAT WICKED VOICE.
The fact that Mrs Ray thinks She is
able to identify til voice which she heard
in conversation with her husband will
60 great ways towards the solution of
the mystery. The name Of the person
to whom she believes the voice belongs,
was given to the officers, and they will
endeavor to secure him before they re-
turn to the city.
THE VICTIM ROBBED.
After the news Of the murder had
spread sufficiently to collect n crowd, a
search was made of Mr. Rays garments
and the ground in the vicinity A peck
ct book containing one hundred and six
ty dollars and gold watch were miss
ing. Another pocket book which con-
tanned one hundred and eleven dollars,
was found all right in an inside vest
pocket The broken club used by the
murderer was discovered in the vicinity.
THE srsPEoTEp PERSON
is Christopher Andrews, son of for
mer we'll known resident of the town,
Job Andrews. ChristOpheTs father died
recently, leaving considerable property,
the income of which was to be used for
the benefit Of his son, subject to the APP
pr0yal of a trustee who was to be APP
pointed by the Surrogate. Mr.. Ray
was appointed against the wishes of An
drews, who evidently cherished a strong
dislike to him. He has the reputation
of being very dissolute and extrava-
CANT. 1t is his usual habit to get up very
early in the morning, but the morning
after the murder he did not leave his
bed till 8 o'clock, and then, after being
informed of the tragedy, coolly went
to bed again. One Mark Hollis is sus-
pected of being an accomplice of An
drews. He did not sleep at his dwell
ing on the night in question, but in
barn near the scene of the murder.
Andrews has been arrested and taken
to Troy for examination.
Mr.. Ray was 50 years old, and leaves
widow and three children. He was
worth about $780, 900.
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.
The murder was brutal beyond ex-
preston and the perpetrator remains as
yet secure in a mystery that grows dark
er and deeper as efforts are made to
penetrate it. It was a job well done.
The skull had been fractured in two
places and the fractures below the eyes
had been pounded until they were with
out form and shape, while on the fore
head were visible the marks made by
stone.
Ray had more enemies than any man
in this town. He was quick to plan, cool
in executing, decisive in action, exact
ing in business, steadfast in purpose, he
never granted favor to an enemy and
never accepted one. When opposed in
his purpose he sought to crush his oppo-
nent.
Christopher Andrews, who has been
arrested, is a miserable drunkard, and
the butt of every tavern lounger and bit
ter enemy, who hads vengeance on
the murdered man Ray. Andrews, dur
ing conversation on Sunday, mode the
following singular declaration IF |