Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-07-08
MURDER AND SUICIDE.
A Nlas KILLS The Wife Of Another asd Cats
hisOwa Thrsat..A Terrible stsry.

A man named Dolson Hicks, shoe,
maker, had for three years been board
ing with q family named Shopland, Al
Caledonia, Pa. A year and half ago
Mr.. Shopland died, leaving q widow
thirty years old, and o boy four years
old. Hicks was prosperous in his bust
ness, and had accumulated considerable
property. He was addicted TO periodi-
cal spells Of drinking, however, but
otherwise was man whom every ono
respected. Mrs. Shopland was left poor
by her husbands death, and some six
months ago She accepted an Offer Of
marriage from Hicks, on condition that
he would quit his occasional drinking
spells, he being placed on . years pro-
baton. Meantime Hicks became Jealous
Of young blacksmith named Cochran,
who had recently taken up his residence
in Caledonia, and about two months ago
went on spree. Mrs. Shopland broke
her engagement with Hicks, and mar
ried the blacksmith, worthy and we'll
to-do man. One day lately Hicks left
his shop in the afternoon, taking with
him long bladed shoeknife. He told
his assistant that he was going to trim
some bushes in lot he owned. About
three O'Clock the same afternoon he en-.
tered Oochrans blacksmith shop with
the shoeknife in his hand, the blade Of
which was covered with blood. He ex-
claimed: "Billy, you're a widower and
I'm murderer |" He then threw the
knife in corner OF the shop, and fold
lug his arms said to Cochran: "Ki!l
me, il you want to |" The latter ran
toward his wife's house, which was but
q few steps away, followed by his helper.
He found his wife lying in a pool Of
blood on the kitchen floor, with her |
head almost severed from her body. |
Her little boy was sobbing on her breast.
The news spread like wildfire, and
large crowd soon assembled. A doctor
was called, and then Cochran, followed
by the crowd, started back to where
Hicks had been left. He was still in
the shop, walking wildly to and fro.
Cochran seized sledge hammer and
rushed Aercely at Hicks, who folded his
arms and stood perfectly still. The by
however, despite their excite
ment and indignation, prevented Coch-
ran from killing the murderer of his
wife and took the latter into custody.
he admitted that he had killed Mrs.
Cochran, and said he had done itbecause
she had wronged him so deeply that he
could not help it. He would do the
,ame thing over again under the circum-
stances, and he knew the consequences
If his crime and would welcome them
gladly. He begged that if there was
Ieeling among the populace to deal sum-
narily with him, it might not be sup
orc ssed, but that the punishment he de-
,erved be executed upon him at once.
BE had gone, he said, to Mrs. Oochran's
house deliberately to kill her; had done
I Just as he intended, and wanted to
lie.
Hicks was taken to the village tavern,
where oil the facts OF the case were
AIKEN. Hicks related in detail the cir
,umstances of the killing; how the i'm
,elling cause was his great love for his
,ictim, which she had thrown away; how
le went to her house, and after telling .
Ter that she had deeply wronged him,
lad thrown his arm around her, and
rev his knife four times across her
hroat, and held her until she died.
Tho justice committed Hicks to tile
barge of the officer to convey him to
all, thirty miles away. While the y
'risoner was in the room assigned him,
n charge OF one of the constables, he
rev from his pocket large knife, and !
efore the act was discovered cut his u
wn throat, inficting such wounds that
Q died in a very short time, never
peaking after inficting the wounds.
Hicks was thirty-five years Of age and
n Englishman, He had no relatives.
D far as known, in the country. He 9
'as buried in a lot owned by him near
le village.