Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-09-21
1877.
The Trial Off. L. Hayden,
OR WIFE MURDER.

hrst halliday was occupied in securing
jury. 1t is composed of eleven farmer
and furniture dealer. In the afternoon
States Attorney ". W. Rowell stated. thu
case to the jury, referring briefly to the cir
cumstanees of the killing
General Grout opened for the prisoner
lie said that Hayden belonged to a family
in which there was hereditary insanity. snC
that his father died in an insane asylum
that his grandfather was Familiarity known
as Crazy John Hayden ~ that an uncle j:
partially deranged; that his father was one
of a family of five children, four of whom
died of the ricketts,; that brother is deal
and under guardianship; that Hayden is a
nervous, bigh-strung being: that at the
time of the murder he was laburing under
serious domestic difficulties. and was not
responsible for his deed Hayden at the
opening of the testimony. showed great
mental depression he kept his head lean
ing upon the balustrade, and looked pale
and earewOrn.
TESTIMONY.
Charles P. Brigham, Esq. of Derby Line,
attorney, brother-iD-law of Mrs. Hayden.
testified that on the day Of the commission
of the crime. Aug. 81, '76. he noticed that
Hayden had been drinking. Hayden asked
me if | approved OF his wife not going to
live again with him, as they had not lived
together for some time; | replied that his
wife was able to judge for herself: l should
not interfere Hayden said be wanted
to see his wife | told him | had no
objections TO his seeing her when in a proper
condition; the door opened and his wife
came out; HAYDEN spoke to her he want
ed her to consent to a private interview
she objected. stating that she had nothing
private to talk about; | think Hayden
gave her photograph here; they shook
hands. kissed each other and parted. he
saying he would see her again. Hay
den said he would 60 and lie
down then left him and return
ed To my .oom was there few mo-
ments " hen Mr.. Hanson raped at my door.
went there. and from what Hanson told
me put myself on my guard. In few
moments heard steps in the hall recog-
nlzed them Us Hayde Iopened the door
and NIT Hay den at the loo. OF the stairs.
and he rather ran up against me. | didn't
there was ho use trying to go through
me, saying he wanted to enter the room
where his wife was. | told him he had
promised to 90 to sleep. He asked what |
was afraid of. | told him nothing in par
ticular, only he was not In the proper con-
ditiOn Hayden asked if | was afraid he
would shoot his wife; | told him | didn't
know. He then said 81 couldn't if |
would, ! have no arms" Hayden then,
turning towards the door, said he proposed
to see his wife, and said would regret l
had objected TO his seeing her. He then
went away a few steps, drew pistol, and
covered me saw it was not cooked, but
before | knew anything he fired; the ball
struck me on the right side and lodged
under the skin Of the backbone; have an
indistinct recollection of what afterward
happened; think | staggered for chair
on the piazza; then heard another shot
and a scream | aroused up. rushed into my
sitting room. and saw llsyd over bis wife;
she was on the floor. reclining her arm on a
chair, her back toward him; Hayden's
right hand, holding the weapon. was
about two feet from her saw the
fash. and Just a. the weapon flashed
together; got hold of the pistol think
bad my knee on his body; | felt weak;
HAYDEN said. Look out, the pistol is cock
ed" struggled to get it. be making ef-
forts to shoot me- sume one reached over
and got the pistol from Hayden: | recog-
nized the party a. Messrs Dudley and Cur
ran ; rose up and had strength enough to
get out of the room; Mrs Hayden was
upon the floor As passed out she had
moved from the position she was in when
she WAS shot the second time; don't know
where Hayden went.
Mrs. Brigham, sister of the deceased,
testified that on one occasion Hay len said
that if his wife was too obstinate ne would
shoot her; | told him would inform my
brother. and he sand he would shoot him
too, saying that they could not hang him
ior it. Hayden said: Didn't you know
my father died in an insane asylum" l re-
Piled had heard 50; We'll" :" he said. 81
can be so any time" Hay den came there
three times on the Both to see his wife, and
urged her to 20 into room alone with him.
He asked where she got her new dress.
remarking, YOU can go around, having all
you can to eat and drink. and enjoy your
sell | have nothing can't stand it, and
| won't" told him he ought to feel proud
she could do that he replied. 81 don't. be-
cause she ought ID grub it with me-" lie
referred again to the furniture, and assert
ed he would legally claim his share of it.
She told him she had given him all she had.
Hayden had nearly all his wiie's property,
amounting to about forty thousand dollars.
Hayden said he had no friends now, as his
money was all gone. Hayden asked why she
was 50 firm in her refusal to return with
hlm, asking it she WAS Influenced by her
friends. She said no HAYDEN said You
know | never pointed Il revolver at you unless
| was drunk" She replied: And you
know that YOU have pointed one at me a
great many times - She said il she had
the health or wish to return to him she had
not the courage. HAYDEN asked her if she
thought he would kill her. She replied
"YOu know you have threatened often"
She asked him why be could not 90 away
and give her quiet. Hayden replied she
never could have it, and be would dog her
steps to the grave. She then told him II he
would 20 away, Reform, be honest and
provide An humble home, no matter how
humble, she would &c and live with him
hut she thought he never could reform.
My sister asked him II he had ever repeated
the prayer she wrote him. and he answered
no he wanted me to leave the room. ne
told Inc | should 90 out; that he had re-
yOlyer in his pocket for both OF US Hayden
asked il was afraid he would shoot Ger
trude; refused to 90 unless he gave me
the pistol ther he denie1 having one. My
husband soon entered and Hayden asked
him If he approved OF Gertrude's refusal to
return " ith him. Mr. Brig ham told him it
WAS her own matter. Gertrude then told
him to go, do the best he could and she
would enjoy his success and prosperity.
The next day when Hayden came there, she
and her sister were in the sitting room to-
gether. and she heard Hayden and Brigha
talking Just outside. at the head Of the
stars, then a shot was fired. Sac rushed to
the door, and Hay den appeared with a re-
vulyer in his hand. pushed tbs door back on
htr, approached his wIt1 and fired upon
her ran for help, and did not see the
second shot fired. | saw the struggle
between my husband and Hayden, and
when the help came Hayden said: Don't
let Brigham have the pistol, he will kill
me-" Gertrude then looked up and said:
81 am shot, he has killed me. " She lived SIX
days
The further examination of Mrs. Brigham
was postponed till the next day.
lR.sBURGH. Sept. l2th.
Mrs. Brigham was cross-e1amined rela-
tive to the threat made by Hayden toward
his wife, and his statement about being In
sane at any time. The witness was positive
as t1 the language used by Hayden.
n. I. Sheaic testified | live at Derby
Line; am lawyer; my office Is just oppo
site Hanson's Hotel; ON the 3lst of August,
1876, was in my office; heard the report
OF a pistol and II scream; looked from the
window and saw Brigham reeiing out oi the
door on the piazza: | started Tor the hotel,
but before got out OF the office heard two
more reports when ! reached the place |
found Mrs Hayden on the floor Hayden
was saying mo Cd d-n man in the
State OF Vermont can take this pistol from
me-" | sprang and took hold ot it, and he
said: IL will give 1t to Mr. Sheate." The
pistol was cooked. rhe revolver was produc
ed IN court. Ii has five barrels and carries
what is called 32 ball. 1t is in the same
condition a. 1t was when took 1t, it shows
that three balls have been discharged, and
the pistol snapped again and missed
fire. Hayden was then taken into custody;
two or three hours aiterward | went into
the room, where hc was handcutfcd and