Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1877-04-16
MURDER AND SUICIDE AT EAST
MONTPELIER.

perpetrator of the crime was Hiram Ar
buckle, man 80 years of age, who re-
sides about three-fourths of mile from
the depot, opposite the grist mill of Ed
mund Norcross. His murdered victim
was George W. Bancroft, his brother-in-
law, who carried on the blacksmith bust
ness in shop nearly adjoining the resi-
dence of Arbuckle He was about fifty
years of age, while the other participant
in the sad event was George W., son of
o. W. Short. aged about II years.
While nothing of any serious moment
has been known to have transpired be-
tween the parties which would eliminate
in such tragedy, yet for some months
past they have shown disposition to
quarrel on matters of slight import, as
we'll as to promote. instead of striving
to allay, feelings of discord and strife
Between Arbuckle and Bancroft, it is
alleged that there have been several dis
turbances over family matters, the for
mer not liking it because his sister mar
ried man who was so many years older
than herself, and whom Arbuckle accus-
ed of being very dissipated, others of the
family aiding in the disturbance, by
keeping up the quarrel. The trouble
between him and Short is said to have
originated-as do most troubles of this
sort-with a woman in the case, the lat
ter having been paying his addresses for
some time to young lady of unblem-
ished reputation, who had rejected the
attentions of Arbuckle.
i On Tuesday afternoon, at few min
utes past W. -~,Nloek. Ply Clifford. l..
H. Cunningham, Joel Nichols and oeo.
Short we're lounging in the grist mill,
: the two former discussing some business
matters, and the others listening-when
the door suddenly opened, and Arbuckle
looked in. Without saying a word, he
at once pointed revolver at Short and
fred, the shot passing in such close
! proximity to the ear of Cunningham as
4 to momentarily stun him. and entering
: the breast of Short about three inche:
: below the left nipple, passing downward
: and inward. George jumped up, and
: started to escape by a rear door. bu
+ stumbled just as his assailant fired tn
" second time, the ball striking MIN il
It the arm, when he fell to the floor, ex
'e claiming. my God, am shot r.
y The assassin then proceeded to tn
is opposite side of the road, to the black
y smith shop of Bancroft, where the latte
". horse. Without minutes warning. h
ID fred on him. hitting him in the arm
Il and inficting wound from which til
Sc blood flowed cOpiously, but which wa
rs not necessarily fatal. Bancroft at ono
IL started by roundabout way to run
3, the grist mill for assistance, but W;
is pursued by Arbuckle, who fred a secon
a. time, hitting him in the back. Bancro
still kept up. and had reached the do
r. of the grist mill and opened it at Il
N, same moment that third shot from Il
cir death-dealipg revolver took effect ov
al his ear, and he fell forward into Il
mt room, dead. Arbuckle then started f
he his house, while those in the neighbo
ty hood who were not caring for his victir
m went for assistance to aid in arrestil
him. He talked calmly about the affai
lat saying that he had premeditated it t
tx some months; that his victims had eau
ter ed him much tronble, and did what tn
RS, could to embitter his existence; and th
In he had made his will in anticipation
lch this occurrence, leaving all his world
au- effects to his mother. He also declar
up his intention of never being taken ali,
He then went to his house, where
AIRY talked with his relatives, and await
um the appearance of Constable Geor
ent Rowland. On being told that the o
u.s. Ger was entering the yard, he went {
rho the rear door, followed by his moth
IN and shot himself just as Mr.. Howla
cry was about to turn the corner of [
ing house. Death was not instantaneous,
ltt. as Mr., Rowland passed him, as he
the on the ground, to grasp the fainting 70
mt, of the mother, Arbuckle opened his e,
sed and gave his last sign of recognition
bet human being, and when the officer
the turned, the soul of the unfortunate n
way had gone forth to meet the Eter
ace Judge.
The testimony in regard to the I'M
les of Short are very conflicting. He S
~ fered great pain at first. and it was fe
~ ed that the shock and loss of bl
."' would result fatally, but under the
w fluence OF Opiates the pain subsidized,
10 at the present writing he is doing
n"' we'll as can be expected.-Montpe
@pJ Argus.
the -.-.-.-- ----
49, LETTER FROM NEW YORK.
| or Special Correspondence.
ance NEW YORK, April 9. 1877
to How any correspondent can be
% a pected to write letter worth read
ming after such spell as we have just
4 in throuoh Is more than can nndersts