The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-04
A STARTLING TRAGEDY.

A CONSTABLE SHOT IN MAKING AN ARREST
THE MURDERER DARRIcADEs HIMSELF AGAINST
THE INDIGNANT PEoPLE-ATTEarpTs AT LYNCH
NG-ARREsr OF THE MURDERER.
PLYMOUTH, Mass May 8, 1878.
This ancient and traditional town mas been the
scene Of a startling tragedy to-day. In the middle
or the forenoon onicers John ID. Baxter aud John
Atwood went 70 arrest one Christopher Stoddard,
q notorlonsly bad character residing on Emerald
street. Finding their man at his house they at
tempted TO serve the warrant, when Stoddard
seizad a shotgun and shot Baxter dead. me
charge entered his hea1, just over the left eye.
Mr.. Atwood retired, being an old man, and
a crowd quickly gathered, determined to lyncn
the murderer. He barricaded his house and
deded all hands. being half crazed by
rum. IL was proposed to burn MIN up in
mis- nest, but alarm or 1re being given in tho
Di5Iee steamer No. was soon on the ground ana
the building flooded. The utmost excitement
prevailed. The windows and doors we're broken
in and an opening In the roof made before ne was
started. During this time Stocdard lred four
shots INTO the crowd. but nit no one. Baxter was
killed about half-past ten, and the arrest was
MADE about hafpast eleven. Constable Harvey
w. Weston and Deputy SherifT Atwood made sic
arrest. The crowd was with the utmost difficulty
kept from finishing him the spot. rescue
was attempted, and the cry Lynch HIM hang
him upr' was raised from hundreds OF tnroats.
He was finally LOGGED in the dungeon OF the Old
jail
THE INQUEST.
The dead body OF the Oflcer was carried TO the
Town House, and an inquest was immediately neld
By william u. whitman, who was hastily appointed
Coroner for the occasion. The verdict will, OF
course, be in accordance with the facts herewith
given, and the murderer VIII be fuy committed
for trial dr. Baxter was prominently known IN
the place rs an Offcer of excellent character, an
active politician and for some time deputy state
constable. HIS family consists OF u vile, living
here, aud a son, Josiah T. Baxter. principal Of a
grammar school IA winchester, Mass.
WHO THE MURDERER IS
The murderer Is reckless character, and was
brought TO this town from Scituate, manv years
ago. and lodged IN Iai Tor scme MINOR offence.
lie has been IN jail lor petty offences many times
since. and at the time OF the killing he wanted
for being concerned IN a disturbance. IL was at
first reported that he was partially intoxicated at
tn. time but tie arresting officer denies TINS and
saws he saw no signs OF iiqu0r about aim, which
statement Is cOrrObOrated ny ether good auth0rt-
ties. lie lived at one time in q house whIcn q q
owned, aud was possessed 0t some Ilttle property,
when ne had acquired Nv work and trading. lie
Is a cooper by trade. and has worked at the Ousi-
ness here. Inc fatal shot was nred from the
slight opening or door. Mr.. Baxter threw up
hts hand. and without word or sound fell stone
dead Tue noase was nearly torn N pieces by the
excited crowd
NAN or MANY WEAPONS.
When St0ddard was arrested at his house two
pistols were taken from his person. Two guns
were found also inside has nouse. on searching
HIM at the cell seven SHOOTER was found IN his
coat pocket, with two chambers discharged.
A COMING EXECUTION.
Previous TO the tragedy the town was greatly
excited over the execution OF murderer. winch
Is 70 take place here on Friday, aud, as may be
surmlsed, this shocking AFFAIR mas Increased the
excitement hundred fold.