Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1874-03-06
gelluws falls Times,
BELLOWS FALLS, MAR. 6, 1874.
Letter From Iowa,
Account of Horrible Murder.
GRAND JUNCTION, Iowa.
Feb. Goth, 1874,

Mr.. EDITOR - Having for mary
years read your paper and for that rea
son feel quite an interest in it, will give
you an account of terrible and alsc
mysterious murder, which took place a
Long Grove, (Winfeld Township, Da
venport Co., Iowa.) The victim was
Mrs. Lizzie Brownie, wife of A. w
Brownie, farmer, we'll known through
out the county, and daughter of Hon. III
M. Thompson. The circumstances are
as follows: Mr.. Brownie left his home
at half past seven o'clock accompanied
by hired man, and went to the house
of his father Mr.. James Brownie, hall
mile from his own home, to get medi-
cine for sick horse He obtained the
medicine, talked awhile with his parents
and brothers and then returned to his
home. He went to the kitchen door as
usual, opened it, stepped forward and
stumbled over the body of his wife. He
held his lantern down to it, (for there
was no light in the room, and there was
his partner literally weltering in her
blood. Her left arm seemed to be near.
ly torn away at the shoulder, and her
right breast in similar condition her
clothes on that side we're scorched and
appeared as if gun had been held close
to her and discharged. When Mr.. Brown
lie arrived, bis children, four in number,
came forward from hiding place in the
house and told him how the murder of
their own dear mother occurred. The
names of their children are, Sarah, aged
eleven, Willie, aged eight, Harry aged
six, Andrew aged four The house is a
story and half one, the kitchen on the
east and sitting room on the west side.
The mother sat close to the kitchen win
dow working with a sewing machine, when
the attack came, first by brick through
the window and instantly two discharges
from gun followed, right at the same
window. Mrs. Brownie shrieked and fell
to the floor exclaiming, 40, Sarah 0,
Sarah Then all was still. In moment
more the daughter noticed fire on her
mothers dress and she stopped and exin-
guished it. Then these children remained
in the room crouching on the floor in dark
ness and in terror, waiting the return of
their father. They were thus alone more
than half an hour. 1t would seem as if
robbery was the object of the murderers.
for / discovered that the lower sash of
one of the windows had been broken to
pieces, frame and all, and that some one
had entered the room and rumaged the
drawers of bureau therein. Whether
money or other valuables were taken was
not known at midnight for the husband
was nearly beside himself though his
agony was silent. Mr.. r. Brownie and
another neighhor were sent Immediately
to inform the father of the murdered
wife, Hon. Hugh M. Thompson, of the
tragedy. | will draw veil over this
scene His terrible grief did not express
itself in cries or means but he seemed to
lose consciousness, for the time of every.
thing about him. The deceased was 80
years of age. She had been married
about twelve years, having lived at
Long Grove from early girlhood. She
was lovely woman in all that pertains
to the duties of wife, mother, and neigh
Dor, and was regarded with affection by
all the neighborhood. Speculation as to
the real motive of the bloody, heartless
deed is in vain. One can only hope that
the murderer or murderers may be
caught.
J.H.P.
[Our correspondent, who says he for
merly lived in Chester, doubtless forgot
to give the date on which the mur der he