The New York herald., 1877-10-07
A DEACoN'S TROUBLE.


CIRCUMSTANCES POINTING TO 1THR POISONING
OF HIS wIFE--A LIAIsoN WITH POOR MAN
sPousE-sUsPIcIoN OF HEB coMPLIcIrx-A
HORRIBLE SCANDAL IN VERMONT.
tversennes (vIl letter the Boston Globe, Oct =!
SIX weeks ago last sunday tho wife OF Deacon Ezra
Smith. OF the pillars OF the Baptiss Church here
died after An ilnoss Of ouly week Az the time OF
her DEATH although the circumstances excited re-
mark no one suspected foul play, for the family we're
eminensiy respectable. Mr.. and Mrs Smith were
born, and their parents before thom, n Addison
county. The families OF both were "wel on" and
many representatives OF both have held responsible
positions IN the State. brother OF Deacon
Smith Is State legislator. and another 10
Appointment merchant IN Burlington Deacon
Smith himself, besides owning valuable STOCK
farm IN Addison. until recently member
OF the largest and tnware establishment In the
county. Up 10 the time Of his wifes death ne nae
borne excellent reputation for integrity IN fact no
unusually jealous works OF charity and philan
thropy. His wiies malady baflod the efforts OF the
physician, who treated her for cholera morbua Every
dose appeared 10 add TO her agony. Tho day before
her death DR.. Arthur, her physician, demanded
council OF doctors and Ora Hopkins and Kidder were
called IN. the extreme prostration OF the hitherto
robust woman was commented upon, but although
each OF the Physicians had msgvings, the sur
roundings and social position family such
that nothing saia abou: ,hom at the time and
only the simple restoratives usually given
in such cases were prescribed. On Sunday Mrs
Smith died, and her Inferred In the Yer
gennes Cemetery two days later. Here tho matter
would have ended had It been for a singular COM
bnation OF circumstances. Deacon Smith has enemies,
and among Them thcre Is one man, well known hore,
who has especial reasons for wishing him harm
reasons growing out OF . scandalous affair In which Mr..
Smith 10 said TO have takcn = prominent part IN ex-
posing and Furnishing offence against good morals
committed BY this individual, VINO, It is stated, swore
vengeance on the Deacon. This enemy made
himself acquainted with Mr. Smith's weak points, and
constituted himself private detective IN order 10
wipe out old scores
SMITHS IsDIscnETIoN.
Ezra smith owned aud lived pretty white cot
age on corner Of TWO streets one OF the most pic
turesque portions OF vergennes. garden plat with
numbers OF truit and grapevines Is located at
the and side OF tho house From the back door
path leads diagonaly across this plat TO brick house
family, consisting Of E. j. Champlin. the husband.
Mary his wife, tour beautiful and interesting children
aud brother Of the husband young man some
twenty scveh years OF age. The family had lived
Vergenhes some TWO years. Tho husband, mechanic,
for the last moths has been working at the door
| and bind factory Of Lyon Palmer, Essex, n. Y.
Previous to this time, since he had resided Ver-
gennes, he had been out OF employment most OF tho
time: und consequently the family mad beon poor
aud would probably have suffered much Tor tho abgo-
Lutte necessities OF life II II had been for kind
ness neighoorS, especially OF Deacon
Wood, coal and milk were sent to the Champins and
many little delicacy from we'll filled larder OF
Smiths found its way to the Champin table, Since Mr..
! Champlin has been at work IN Essex, N. Y ho has
| only Visited his family IN Vcrgennes once month.
About year ago the first between smith
aud Mira Champlin began, aud although 1rst thor
intimacy not marked, II ripened, and during
| the last SIX mouths It has been observed by tho
neghbors that was rarely absent from the house of
| Mrs. Champn during tho evenings A portion of
! tho summer Mrs. Cnampin was employed at Mrs.
Warmers millinery establishment in town. and every
| MID VQ ma Mr Smt hand ttr
Ing the evening" coming hours before the time for Mrs.
Champln's departure, and cscorting Mrs. Cbampln
home when her duties were finished. 'Often during
the afternoon says Mira Warner. "he would call; at
| Drst supposed TO SEQ my daughter, to whom his son
married, but soon found the attraction OF
different nature" Stl tnese iacts amounted to moth
ing IN themselves but alter the death OF his wife he
seemed to lose restraint ana Is asserted openly VS.
tied hor escorted her to meetings attended the camp
! meeting with her ut New Haven, ana while she was
visiting few days At friends in Middcbury his AZ
tentions wers so marked as to cause scandal
THE SCANDAL BECoMEs PUBLIC
About this timo stories reach the ears of Mr.
Champlin and ho determines to rcmove his family
Eseex, n. Y, where he Is working. He arrives at
Vergennes but all alto npts 10 persuade his vile
a ur
three years od) was sad sight The little
led through the sroets OF tho city to the stcsm boat
the threo youngest crying us they went-aud many a
fearful eye watched them in their pilgrimage from
their home Not long after Mrs Champnn, with a
nug,on. Bangor, New York aud KeesvilIo She had
plenty of money, but It did not from her hus-
/
Lawrence county. At Middlcbury and at Burlington,
!t asserted, no met Mrs. ChampIin
| SUSPICIOUS or FOUL PLAY.
Soon after the departure OF tho two Vergenncs be.
gan to be exciteu. Investigation showed that Mrs.
Cnxmplin had takon OF Mrs. Smith during her
iiness that her attendance had almost been constant
that when the patient seemed to be improving Il was
Invariably IN the absence OF Mrs. Champn; that two
| weeks before the sickness which resulted In Mrs
Smiths death she had taken powder prepared Tor
simple headache, and had been taken with symptoms
similar 70 those which attended hor last illness: that
ha nd hgpu fflut 4
withstanding he lived IN vergennesl only the day
previous TO her death, and only alter all hope had
| been given up; that on calling TO see his daugh.
ter she tried To communicate something in cont
dence to HIM, but was prevented. as he
believes. on account OF tho olcous presence Of Mrs.
Champn. Al tho time OF the attack referred 10. two
weeks before her last Sickness Mira Smith said 10
neighbor, IL thought had been possessed. - These
becoming known tho authorities determined to
cxhume tue body but SO delicate about woundng the
feelings OF any one Of casting any undue suspicion
on the influential deacon were they that they notified
him by telegraph that his presence needed hore,
and waited over week for his arrival legal nolih-
thon him, and alter every possi-
bic iormal'ty had been complied with the remains
exhumcd and the stomach and other portions OF
were wei . taken 10 Professor Peter Collier, OF Bur, IT.
hneton. Professor Collier has, after due
analysis nS',Sed Dr. K,ddo OF vsrgsnns
the remains as specified, that, upon examination OF
the s.ouiach, no is satisfied that the woman was
suspected parties IL is rumored here to-day that
extraordinary efforts are being mado tho part OF
Deacon Smtns IIienus 70 induce tnc autnOritieS 10
iorego further investigation. There great excite
mcnt oil through this portion OF the state over the
affair. Within a lew days package OF arsenic has
been discovered In place 10 which Mrs Chumpn
had access and disclosures In regard 10 the admins
| tering Of lager beer to Mrs. Smith which are very
damaging. The counsel OF Mr. Smith r. J. Grandy,
partner OF the States attorney, which OF Itself
very singular circumstance Stil, as the efforts OF
Mr. Grandy are at present confined to trying the case
outside OF the courts the TACT that he Is partner
The prosecuting attorney not inf ucnce the attcr
in his Efforts 10 bring the real criminals, II there
| should prove 10 be any, TO justice.
STATEN ISLANDS BOULEVARD.