Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1876-11-03
Murder In Grafton.

his brother, Scion Woolley, and died
from the effects OF the shot on Saturday
morning at s O'Clock.
The tragedy was the result of quar-
rel about some property which has been
going on for several months, becoming
very bitter, so much 50 that they could |
not meet without an alteration. 1t
seems that Frank went last spring to
Missouri where Scion Woolley then re-
sided and made arrangements with re-
gard to property by which Scion was to
return to Grafton, which he did in
March. At that time, Franklin ex-
changed the Stoddard farm with his
mother for the old homestead, and she,
with Solon's family, Went to the Stod-
dard farm TO live. There has been more
or less trouble between these brothers all
summer, during which time Scion threat
ened to shoot Frank if he came to his
house and bought revolver for that
purpose.
On Tuesday Frank went to see his
brother about matters in dispute, but
they could not agree, and the interview
resulted in Solon's ordering Frank to
quit his premises, and assuring him he
would shoot him if he ever came there
again. On Wednesday an uncle and
aunt of the Woolley's, Mr.. Oliver Blood
and his sister, from Putney, came to
Grafton hoping to be able to adjust mat
tiers between the brothers amicably, their
proposal being to pay Scion back for
what he had invested in the farm and
allow him to 60 back est, which seemed
to be what he most wished. Reaching
Franks house he (Frank,) hesitated
about going to Solon's with them, men
tioning the threat of Scion as his rea.
son. He finally consented, and accom-
panied his uncle to Solon's, and on their
arrival at the house Frank declined to
90 inside, and stepped into shed or
wagon house connected with the house,
and had barely entered it when Scion,
without speaking, fired revolver from
the window of chamber, where he had
gone ON seeing Frank approaching. The
ball took effect in the pit of the stom-
ach and passed obliquely downward.
After the firing Scion came down and
out of the house, when Frank fed, pur'
sued by Scion, who pelted him with
stones until satisfied At the distance
of about fifty rods the wounded man
tell and was picked up and taken to his
home in the village.
The funeral of the murdered man was
attended Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock
The excitement attending the murder
was greatly increased by the burning o.
Scion Woolley's house Friday night
The fire was first seen about six o'clock
and at little past seven the house was
entirely consumed. Solon's wife was il
the house alone with her two children
The fire was started in the wood-shed
Mrs. Woolley says that she was asleep
and that the fire awoke her.
An examination was held at the towr
hall in Grafton on Saturday, before jus
tees A. HI. Burgess, Samuel Phelps anc
w. s. Wyman. J. D. Bridgman coun
sci for the state. Hon. Abishai Stod
dard and L. S. Walker for the prisoner
The testimony of Oliver Blood ant
Sarah Blood was taken, who testified
that they were both present at the shoot
ing and that it was done without provo
9 cation. The evidence of Drs. Campbell
Foss and Pettengill was also taken, an,
proved conclusively that death wa
caused by a bullet wound. The cas-
was here adjourned until Tuesday morn
ing at 8 o'clock.
GRAFTON, Oct 31st
In the case of State VS.. Woolley, th
, Drs. Foss and Pettengill testified tina
= they had made further examination c
e the body, but failed to find the ball, bu
e accounted for its loss. Several othe
+, witnesses were called who testified tina
they had seen Scion carrying revolve
about on his person, and that he intend
ed to use it to defend himself and prem
ses. The respondent did not offer an
testimony in defence, but claimed tn
offence was manslaughter, and therefor
bailable. Arguments were made ]. L
Bridgman and c. B. Eddy for the state
5 and by L. S. Walker and Abishai Stod
I dard for the respondent. The respor
| dent was committed for willful murde