Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-01-29
A.other Horrible Murder.

A murder occurred at Picrmont, n. H.,
last Friday morning, which has few pnral-
les in criminal history for the horrible cir
eumstances attending H. The scene Of tho
crime was quiet old farm house about
two miles from Piermont village and
about the same distance from Bradford,
VT. The victim was young woman of a
years, who had been married about eight
Or ten weeks. She had spent most Of her
life in Piernont, but for six years past had
worked in one of The Lowell corporations.
Sbo was of average attachments and excel
lent character. Her husband, John p.
Emerson, had also worked in Lowell, and
they moved on TO the farm eight weeks
ago, soon after their marriage. Tho only
other occupant OF the house beside Mr.. aud
Mrs. Emerson was man named Moses
b. Sawyer, the suspected murderer. He is
about GO years of age, and had been ac-
quanted with Mr.. and Mrs. Emerson in
Lowell, before their marriage. He came
TO Piermont a short time since, professed
ly in search of work, and under this pie-
text had stopped at the farm house. On
the fatal Friday morning, allcr break fast,
Emerson made a pleasant remark to his
wife, and kissed her, ard then west out 10
look after his cattle. 1t is not supposed that
he ever saw her alive again. Sawyer at
the same time went isto the door-yard 10
cut wood. In the meantime Mrs. Emcr-
son performed her ordinary household du-
ties OF the morning, and then sat down by
the fire in her cosy kitchen, TO do some
4 "a liiiIa
poson took place in The house. Mr.. En-
orsou heard it at his barn distinctly, and
started at ouce for his dwelling. The near
est neighbor, about 40 rods norhward, al
so heard it plainly. Mr.. Emerson went
through his r-yard-whers he saw Mr..
Sawyer at work-to the house. lie opened
the door leading iuto the kitchen, and Tor a
moment stood almost paralyzed at tie
sight. Then he raised his arms and gave a
shrek of anguish and rushed 10 tho street
crying, my wife ~ my wife !" and ap-
pearing almost like maniac. Sawyer ox-
claimed, as she dead ?" and went qckly
into the hoNse. The scene presented was
enough to sisken and appal The stoutest
heart. Words cannot adequately de-
scribe 1t. In chair by the stove was the
headless body of Mrs. Emerson. About
three feet from her, and lying on The floor,
was a heavy e-barreled shot gun, the
muzzle pointing toward the chair. Almost
the entire head and neck were blows from
the body; all that remained was q small
portion of the lower jaw, whish hung upon
her breast, and a small remnant of the
neck near the backbone, not over an inch
in width. From this headless body blood
was squirting in copious streams and gath
ering in pools on the floor. The head was
almost wholly blown to atems and scatter
ed on the ceiling aud west and south walls
of the room. The largest portion Of the
head found was piece or skull about
three inches in length by two in width,
whish passed through a window, breaking
place OF its exact size in the glass and
lodging in the door yard, some ten feet
| from the house, and within about that dis
lance of where Sawyer was at work.
On the stove, ceiling, walls and floor
were scattered blood, flesh and hair form
ing a scene ghastly and revolving 10 all
who witnessed ii. The body rested in the
chair as natural rs il in life. The feet were
on The fender of the stove, one hasd held a
piece Of cloth, while the other grasped Il
needle and thread IA IL TO take another
stitch in the work. The position of the
body showed Enthusiastically that lot a
movement occurred after The weapon was
fired.
The news of the tragedy spread with
wonderful rapidly, and the house was ere
long thronged with people. Many came
from neighboring towns, and before dark
hundreds had visited the scene.
Sawyer appeared wonderfully calm and
collected. He said that Emerson went in
TO the house a little while before the ex-
| plosion was heard, and that lie was the
last TO enter the house before the murder
occurred. Sawyer talked freely about the
matter, but showed great indifference. In
tho afternoon Deputy Sheriff Newell went
to Piermont and arrested Sawyer. He
manifested no surprise, and said he SEX
pected it," and was willing TO 30.
The theory of the public in regard to the
| crime is that Sawyer was the murderer.
The shot gun was loaded and in a front
room of the house adjoining the kitchen.
1t is believed that Sawyer took the gun
and went into the kitchen OH his way out
of the house, for the pretended purpose OF
killing cat. 1t is believed that he sat
down on the lounge nearly in the rear OF
the victim. He then most likely pretend
cd to he examining the weapon and at a
favorable opportunity suddenly sprang up
an d placiIg the muzzle of the gun close
t o the woman's head discharged il. Then
he must have placed the weapon OH tue
tioer and then returned Ia The yard and re-
sumed his work.
Tho funeral OF Mrs. Emerson was at
tended on Sunday by II great crowd Of peo-
pie. Her husband is nearly insane and is
50 completely unm Inncd rs To require as
sistance like child.
Jealousy is believed TO have beSn Saw
yers motive for the crime. II is now
known that Mrs. Emerson had very
strong aversion-ior him. Soon amer he ar
rived in Piermont, and while he was stop
ping with her father in-law, she remarked
to her mother that she disllked Sawyer
and wished lie would return homo. After
Sawyer came TO her home she for the first
time mentioned to her husband her dis
like for the visitor, and said she wished he
would go away, and that no good would
come from his staying there. Mr.. Emer-
son replied that he would not stay long,
and that he did not feel like sending him
away.
Sawyers conduct since The murder has
been such as 10 deprive him of all sympa-
thy. 1t cannot he learned that he has at
any time manifested The least feeling of
sorrow over the calamity. The lalsehosds
and deceptions which he has exhibited in