Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-25
A Woman tolls Her Story.

the shooting Of George Watson, told
her story in court as follows;
l became acquainted with Mr. Watson
in the latter part Of February, three
years ago. l was then just turning hl-
teen. .
Q.-Wero you then virtuous girl
Ain whisper and with bowed head)
Yes, l was; yes, / was.
Inever had any intimacy with any one
except MIR. Watson. l was with him
only about four months when | fell. 1t
was in the shop one morning. He YVES
in the habit OF calling at the house where
/ was living. l had occasion to take
medicine. Mr.. Watson furnished it,
He suggested to me to 90 to New Yori;
to live, but did not say where. lie knew
I was in difficulty. l refused went
to Washington for medical attendance,
I made the acquaintance of my husband
at the Homestead, Mrs. Shay's boarding
house. Mr., Watson said that if / got
married he would let me alone. l made
him take on oath on the bible that he
would let me alone. I had no lady con-
tident. My father andmothcr were very
strict with NE. Watson frequently
threatened to expose me. / repeatedly
beG ged him not TO follow me. When l
came from Washington l went to New
britain, Conn. Watson took me to his
house. l accused him in the presence of
my husband that he seduced me, and he
begged my husband not to take any nc
ton, for the sake of his wife and children.
| was always thinking about my relations
with HIM, and cried continually about it.
Watson went to New Britain in March,
my husband went i'll the month of April,
and went toward the last of the month.
I was there until July, boarded with
Mr.. Woodhousc and so did Mr.. Watson.
[ do not know that my husband asked
Woodhouse to let Watson stay there,
Ny room was in the back parior, one
flight up. There were three rooms on
the floor. Mr.. Watson occupied one.
Steve Roberts and Mr.. Woodhuuse's son
occupied the other. had charge of the
girls i'll the shop, and got ten dollars .
week. The other girl, the only one there
at the time, got seven. Ihad words with
Mr.. Watson on the morning OF the
shooting. He was always accusing me
OF being intimate with others, and that
I was with some one that afternoon
down stairs. 1 bought the pistol as q
present for my husband. bought it
because there were numer of people
robbed in our neIghborhood, and my
husband said he would like 10 have q
pistol if any ono should break into our
house. l intended to have bought it be-
fore New Years, but la to wait until
the week after, as had paid the rent
the week before. | had no intention Of
shooting any one when took the pistol.
went out OF the shop at quarter to
twelve. When 1 went up stairs met
Watson he was standing ON the top
stair. I saw him there, and asked him
If he was coming down. lie replied,
"No, I have to go back for something. "
I then went up, and he seized hold Of me
in very indecent manner. He wished
me to 20 to u room outside, and SAID l
should go, l had the pistol at the time
IN my hand. I took no aim, nor do l
know how | fired. l struggled to break
loose from him, when he got hold OF me,
and partly succeeded, but lie seized me
the second time.
Judge Tappen-After the shooting
what did you do? Al don't recollect
what 1 did.
District Attorney Britton-How long
were you acquainted with your husband
before marriage Al knew him two
or three months before [ married him.
| had relations with Watson DUNG that
time. did notintend to kill him. lie
first 1 rccollpced l was in the shop.
The first / saw Of the pistol was when
my husband handed it to Cap. Wogiom.
L don't know how lie came to have it.
When | got to the station house l don't
know how long it WIS after the shooting.
Q.-Do you remember what you said
to Sergeant Bunce Z? -A.-No, Sir.
This Sergeant, it is said, took hcr
the time in writing). re-
member what | told Capt. Woglom. |
said WATSON had seduced and iusulted
me, but ! do not rccollect that | said |
couldn't stand it amy longer, and shot
him for satisfaction. | never spoke to
my brother about it, and do not know
where tue young man is who accompan-
led me to the gunsmith's and purchased
the pistol.