The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1877-08-31
Selected Story.
Awaiting Vindioation.

CAPTAIN John Weatherwax resided near
the village Of Plattsbprg, New York. H.
was a man of good character, one OF d
numerous family of the me name, the
settlement being known for miles around
as the Weatberwax settlement. He Was
the owner of small craft which piled or
Lake Cbamplain, trading with New York.
Vermont aud Canada towns along the
shores of the lake. The crew Of this yes
spI consisted OF himself, his cousin Andrew
Wcatherwax and one Walter Brown.
IN The latter part Of June, 1856, he lief,
pla: 3aarg, with a cargo for Canada, and,
ca @e - back, stopped at Pike River
landing. on tie Canadian shore, where he
Is sake in cargo of wood for Platts-
burg. During the day, while the wood
uas being taken on board, sharp quarrel
arose bctwe Captain Weatherwax and
his cousin Andrew, and mutual threats
were INDUCED in. 1t was soon over, how
ever. But, as Andrew had become intox,
icated, he was rather morose during the
enli cay.
So far, everything is plain and easily
understo cd. But here The mystery begins:
What follows is largely based upon the
statements of the third party Walter
Brown. He stated that after dar3-the
night was very cloudy and starless-he was
standing on the rear ofthe boat and herd
the captain and his cousin, who were al
the bow, resume the quarrel Of the day. Il
steadily increased in violence. Threats
were exchanged, and, tho gh lie could
see neither of the parties, he could h al
distinctly all that passed. Suddenly he
heard a crash, as Of blow crushing
through skull and brain, succeeded by a
heavy fall Then all was still. He listen
ed with bated breath. His first impulse
was to rush forward and offer assistance
to the wounded man. But fear restrained
him, and he waited the result.
In a few moments the captain came aft
but he was alone. Brown noticed ol
thought he did, that he was pale and excit
ed. Nothing was said a out the quarrel
and the two men soon retired.
Brown, however, could not Danish from
his mind the impression that seriou
crime had been committed. lie aroS
early and visited the spot where the al
tercation took place, and fouad Andrew
hat, aud near il marks ofblovd. Still h,
did not make any inquiries concerning
the missing man. 1t appears thai he Wa
by nature exceedingly timid, and shranl
from the responsibility Of charging a MAJ
with so serious chine.
The boat proceeded to Piattsburg, aud
VIII Andrews relatives made inquire
for him, the captain protessed tstal ia
ntr~nce of his whereabouts, saying tha
h had left him at Pike River, and gon
he knew lot whittier. Matters rested il
this condition until eight or ten days afte
the occurrence, when a body was taAei
from the river 1t the identical place Cap
Weatherwaxs IS boat had been moored o
the fatal night. The skull was crushed |.
by a terrible blow from some heavy iustrt
ment, An investigation was held, and
captain Of vessel lying near to Captai
#eatherwax's on the night in quest.or
recognized the body as that Of a man !
had seen employed on Weatherwax's ! boa
he further testified to having heard
~ rel on that night, ending with q sca
A@ and hiow, after which all vas slen
.sine;iy heard A{eaLuvf~1z soil
-a arrel
9- ~~-@e Suspicion vas 1t once di-ecte
:, 80 as b. eoall give i
X an-tlon Of Iii cousin
4rrested, an
r /,