Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-07-28
The Burterwick Tragedy.

Max Adeler in the Philadelphia Bulletin.
A solemn-looking man called at Mr.. But
terwick's house the other day and asked for
Mrs. Butterwick. When she came into the
psrlor he said /:
- Mrs. Butterwick, believe? Mrs. But
teIwick, | came to bring you some rather
bad news. don't know how you IL take
it, but feel as if ought to tell you, DO
matter how it cuts you up. Your husband
came to my house to-day with his dog: it
is large yellow dog. believe. yours is !;
amt it? With bus y tail. Well, any
how, he stayed arouni there for an hour or
two looking at the children and having a
good time, and alter awhile Wilson 8 color
ed boy said something to him he didn't like,
and he jumped at the boy and threw him to
the ground"
Very extraordinary conduct, must
say" said Mrs. Butterwick.
Well, you know, l was afraid be d hurt
the boy and 50 took hold of him and tried
to pull him eff, and that made him mad at
me, and he turned round and began TO at
tack me. Now, really, for awhile thought
he'd killed me if he could a had a
chance"
g." lie certainly never would have attempt
ed such thing"
You can't always tell. So ran into
the house ani got my gun. and when he
followed me | took aim and let him have
both barrels. Busted the legs clean off of
him, and he rolled over insensible.''
- You infamous villain How can YOU
come and tell me such horrible story as
that? | believe you killed him. Where is
be? | want to see Mr.. Butterwick at
once
" Now be calm, madam, and let me fn-
ish. | knew well enough you thought
good deal of him, and felt kinder sorry |
did 1t. But, howsomdever, it was done,
and so, as he was insensible, | picked him
up and brought him in the house, and as
he seemed sorter pretty far gone my wife
says, says she, William. why don't you
load up again and put couple more loads
in him. SOS to settle hm?"
g The wretch ~
- That's what she says But | thought
I'd hold on for a while. SOS to give him
chance. And after while he came to. but
he was 50 wretched about the legs that
thought maybe it'd be kindness to put him
out OF his misery, so got club and hit
him on the head TIL killed him
" Killed him? MerClful heaven is be
dead?"
" Dead as Julius C@ar. ma 'sm-rollei
over and died like lamb. And | though,
I'd come up and tell you about it, Tor 1
knew IT'D annoy You like thunder, and /
wanted to let you know l did it IN set-de-
fence. Now. don't take on so. Don't cry
like that. Ii makes me feel awful.
This Is too horrible Howidare You come
to me after perpetrating such an infamous
crime? Ill have you hung ior murder. My
poor. poor husband 80
" Couldn't help it ma'am was driven
into it,"
"Did he say ANYTHING before he died?''
Say anything | don't quite under
stand the"
" DiG he leave any message for me be-
fore be erpired?'
" N-n-n-no. ma a'am-jGs, kinder howled,
and Topped his tail q couple oftimes. that's
all "
Popped MS tail Ny husband You're
certainly insane. Perhaps you intend TO
Kill me2 Help help
" Now, be calmer. Your husband? Why,
madam, l don't know what You mean
DiIn't you say you killed Mr.. Butter
wick. You wretch?'
- Certainly not Vel, that's the fun
niest thing ever-Mr. BGtterwick Killed
ButterSick That beats Nebuchadnezz4r
Why, madam, was referring TO that vel
low do. killed your dog.
Then Mr. B-lterwIck suddenly dried her
eyes. looked cagser- at him for a minute,
and h)unctd cut OF the room.
The murderer r.ired his hat on his finger
for minute, and then slowly rising and
moving to the front door he murmured
q" Killed old BatterwIck Well. that's
good But blame me If don't hall believe
she's kinder sorry It wasn't him instead Of
the dog"