St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1876-08-18
Ruffianism in Vermont.

Ruffianism in Vermont
The time WAS, and not many Years
ago. when murder, outrage and rutlian-
ism, we've almost unknown III Vermont.
But that time has passed. From the
time OF the murder of Marietta Ball,
the Young school teacher at st. Adams,
this heretofore peaccable and law ahid
ing state. has been the scene of some of
the worst crimes which the country
knows; and although not 50 frequent as
in some other localities. Vet enough 50
Ia create general alarm and apprehen-
Sluu. and to demand the most >tienu-
nu> Efforts for the discovery and pun
iShmcnt Of the perpetrators. Had the
authorities at It. Adams been Sutfi-
cicntlN vigilant. the friends of Josie
Langmaid at Sunconk. and the world
At large, would have been spared the
aW tul lime !; for it L. believed that the
Frenchman Lapage, who is convicted
of the murder of the Langmaid giIl. is
the same monster that butchrrcd Miss
Ball Il Year or two previous. And NOW
the mails bring the unwtlcomc news
that Lapage has been granted Il new
tiial.
1T Is not our intention. however. to
lchcarse the many cases of outrage
and murder which have startled and
shocked our state, during the few
Years past, but to call attention t" one
al two INSTANCES of recent occurrence.
Three weeks ago, Mrs. Perry, Il re-
family in lily de Park. was seized 10y twu
masked men, near her own house, drag
gcd away into Il cOrntcld. her mouth
filled with dirt and stones. her person
outraged. and she left for dead and
when her friends found her they sup
posed she WAS dead. hut she revived
( Young man out berry ing. Was seized 10y
two masked men. who proceeded t,
mutilatc him in Il shocking manner
with knives. His outcIieS and the VIC
lent barking of his dog, evidently
frightened the villains away before they
had fully accomplished their purposes
and the Young man lives.
So fan aS we can learn, there L. u,
clue to the perpetrators of these da>
taIdly crimes, both probably committe,
10y the S;Ime parties. Now if Il half
starved bean had Iaide:l upon som,
sh-rp-fold in lily de Park. and carrie,
: off :: lamb worth IL few dollars. tiv,
hundred men would have turned on
F.. with guns and dogs to hunt him down
{ and if not able before. would hav,
. travcIsed two counties to accomplish
. their object. 1t seems to us that equa
: vigilance and effort should Ice put fortl
| to capture and punish the perpetIator
of these awful crimes against man AM
: womankind.
I The alarming state of things through
: ont the country, should put people %
t THEN guard-;nd especially women an,
giIls should be extremely caution
! against exposing themselves where sue
T.. exposure has 81 often resulted in out
b rage and murder. Farmers and other
: living in secluded places, should ne
g.. leave their families unprotected. 1t
i Il time when all should he on thei
t guard.
MORE RrFFIANI>M.-M Mr.. Perry las
Monday morning found fastened to tn
I latch of his back doora manuscript note
I. in which vengeance upon his family an
4 defiance to the authorities were freel
Threatened. Would that these outlaw
might be captured and SummarilN dea
J. with Hyde Park NensdeaIer, Aug. II
= When it is known that Mr.. Perry
wife WAS seized near his own door. an
outraged 10y two masked rutlians, an
Z left for dead. We think the public wi
" say. after reading the above. that it
about time chose outlaws" Tere cal
tnred.