Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-10-27
For the vERHoNr FARnEn.
Brutal Murder in WeathersAeld, Vermont


The excitement which reached a hieh
pitch at the burning Of James Weston's
buildings, the 10th inst, was kept up
through the week by the arrest and examina-
ton Of Henry Gravelin. Monday, the feel.
ing was fully sustained by the report that
Herbert White, a young man residing M
Perkinsville, but well-known here, had been
missing more than week. The suspicion
Of foul play by this Graveln came up, and
thorough search began Of Gravelin's prem.
ises. BY Friday noon the excitement
reached its highest point when it was known
that White had been found horribly mutt.
lated and sunk at the bottom Of well. The
news was spread like flash Of light, and
many people OF this town besides hundreds
from Springfield, Windsor and CIaremoDt,
N. H., came to see the victim OF the brutal
revenge.
The body was accidentally found by Geo.
Thompson Of Windsor who, with an assist.
ant had been placed in charge Of Gravelins'
stock since his arrest for arson. They were
driving some cattle across pasture, a
quarter Of a mile from Gravelins house, and
seeing well near where buildings formerly
stood, to satisfy their curiosity removed the
covering and looked 10. Near the surface
Of the water, five feet below the top of the
well, they saw pair Of boots, to which upon
moving with a stick, they found body at
tached.
The authorities were notifed-they were
then searching in field where some large
stones had been sank-who came and found
the body Of White head downward and rest.
ing on the bottom of the we'll. 1t was re.
moved to an unoccupied building not fai
away, to await an inquest.
| The murder was committed with an axe
two blows having been struck in the crown
Of the head that went through the skull, ono
doubtless being after the victim had fallen
These, the only marks on the person, would
indicate that the murderer planned and exc
cuted his work we'll. ...
| The victim, Herbert White, was a native
Of West Windsor aud was thirty-three year,
old. He leaves a wife aud child. He wa.
usually industrious and earned his aud hi,
family's support by working out by days
work or upon jobs. Tue last seen Of him
living, he was on his way to Gravelin's t
get work cutting scythe snath lumber. lie
was with horse and gig; the horse hai
been found in Cavendish in pasture belong
ing to GraveliD; the gig has not been found
Although not friendly to james Weston, HI
was strong witness against Gravelin in 1
lawsuit still pending between these parties
This is thought to be one object that Grave
lin had 10 getting rid of him. Another the
ory is that as White disappeared about tn,
time Of Weston's fire, Gravelin thought sus.
picion would rest upon White and he thu
escape the penalty Of both crimes and wreal
a double revenge
Though the evidence is merely circum
stantial there is no doubt in the minds Of
the people but that Henry Graveliu i
guilty Of this dreadful deed. He is a large
strong.built man some fOrty.fve years old
He came to this place from Canada twent,
years ago and has been hard. working, tenn
perate man though somewhat noted for dis
honest dealings. He is thought to be wort
$4,000 and owns one Of the finest stool
farms in town. He is widower with on
child, girl of eighteen years. Gravelin
IN Jail at Woodstock, awaiting trial for burn
ing Westons buildings, and is said to lste'
to accounts Of the search for White on hi
premises with stoical Indifference. NJ.
AseHtHeVviiie. Oct. 81.