The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-07-01
CRIME IN BENNINGTON.

Attempt to Blow Up Residence Clipping
the Tail Of the Sheriff's Horse-Citizens
Meeting for self-protection Exciting
Manifestations, Committees, Speeches.
etc.
An attempt was made Thursday morning
to blow up the residence Of l.. NJ. Holt on
on Smith avenue, Bennington. Mr.. IIol
ton is one of the trustees of that village,
and is quiet, unobtrusive man, but few
days ago from sense of duty he signed a
warrant to search certain place here
where the Garden" is sold, and the cause
of this bitter feeling against him is attrl-
buted, In a great degree, to that.
About two o'clock Thursday morning, a
loud report was heard in neatly every part
of the village, and residents were startled
from their slumbers--not knowing but
what their final day had come. Some
thought il was a powder mill, Others had
an idea that s.. Louis had been heard from
and the anxious ones we're CT ebratng, but
Mr.. Holton thought differently. He I'M
doubleday had a faint idea chat his 'life
was in danger" and judging from appear
ances in the morning his impression was
nearer correct than the rest of the commu-
nifty.
A large charge of powder was placed
under the piazza of bis house, in key,
and long piece of fuse communicating
with the keg was set on fire and caused the
discharge Between four aud five feet of
fuse was found in the vicinity Of the house
after the explosion. The piazza is on the
southwest part of the house, and framed
into the main part in very firm IN amer.
On two sides of the same there is no foun-
dation wall, and when the charge went off
the POWDER as luck would have it. not be.
ing confined, the force OF the explosion
went from under the piazza instead of up
ward.
The trees for distance OF thirty feet
were scorched so that it was perceptible
that it must have been large quantity OF
powder enough to slaughter whole fam
lily. A heavy set of door steps was blown
over the front fence into the street, dis
lance of forty feet. The piazza was
wrerched away from the building and win
dows in the main part of the house were
broken. Pieces OF the key that the pow
der was in were found in different parts of
the yard, where they had been blown by
~ 81, nna IaaI &c thn
found, and on it was the brand Of the pow
der manufacturer and the grade of powder
used. 1t was manufactured in Schaghti-
coke, N. Y, grade A. Part of the other
head was found, but no names we're on it to
determine where it came from.
Not being satisfied with the work they
had accomplished at Mr.. Holtons house,
the parties went to the barn of Sheriff
Powers, and in a manner becoming ton
serial artist def.ly applied the shears to the
name and tail Of the sheriff's horse, giving
him what ia termed "dead rabbit cut"
The horse is now in no condition to appear
in public, and probably will not be for
some time 10 come.
The trustees are greatly excited over the
matter, and arrangements are TO be made
Immediately to have nightwatchmen in this
place to protect the citizens.
CITIZENS MEETING.
In response to a call issued by the village
attorney, James B. Meacham, large az
semblage gathered at library hall, Thurs
day evening. The object of the meeting
was to consult together in relation to the
high crimes committed in this village, and
for the prevention of any crimes in the
future.
In the absence Of the chairman OF the
trustees, MIR. George A. Wood called the
meeting to order. Mr.. George w. Har-
man was appointed chairman, and Henry
8, Bingham secretary. After reading the
call committee OF three, consisting of A.
R. Valentine, II. j. Potter and John V,
Carney, were appointed to draw up reso-
lutions for the citizens then present to act
upon.
"A set OF RESOLUTIONS was drawn up by
the committee, bearing chiefly upon the
incendiary burning of the mill of John V.
Carney; performing tonsorial operation
on the tail OF the horse of Sheriff Powers;
and the attempt to blow up the house of
L. NJ. Holton. They also provided for
night watchmen in this place to protect the
citizens from the outrages of gang of
roughs that inhabit the streets after dark.
During the evening remarks we're made
by the following gentlemen Rev. r. NJ.
Luther, John V. Hall, DR.. +. N. S. Nor
gan, "Uncle" JOHN Sibley. Hearty APP
plausc went up from those present when
decided hit was made The motto of the
trustees now is, "Let no guilty man es-
cape" J. MA.