Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-07-17
Distressing Occurrence I'm PIaInneId,

Distressing Occurrence I'm PIaInfeId.
The most distressing and melancholy
affair that has occurred in this usually
quiet and peaceful town for many day
took place on "Lamson Ill.," on Friday
afternoon. July 18th, between l and
clock. resulting in the tragic death o.
Ambrose Bancroft. aged nineteen years
son of Charles and Unity. who shot him.
self with rifle in the sugar place" just
back of the house. The widespread ex
citement and sympathy manifest has in.
duced us to present the following well au.
thenticated report of the affair:
Ambrose Bancroft has always borne the
reputation of being a rough, headstrong
and wilful boy. often showing resentment
when demonstrated with for his conduct
even going so far sometimes, it is said, as
to threaten his fathers life, and also the
taking of his own. On the other hand
his father is represented as an inoffensive
kind man, requiring nothing unreasonable
and seeking only the welfare of his son
AS an illustration of this. not long sine,
Mr. Bancroft possessed fine team, anc
while willing the boy should use it, b,
was so inclined to abuse and overdrive it
and when cautioned against such cours,
became SO angry, that Mr.. Bancroft, rathe
than have the team a " bone of contention ;
in the family, disposed of it. This thu
boy resented and laid up.
On the morning of the tragic even
young Bancroft had shown an angry
spirit, and some words had passed between
him and his father, though he had been il
the hay field moving. After dinner Mrs
Bancroft suggested to her husband to asl
Ambrose to assist in getting in the hay
they having considerable to do. There
upon Mr.. Bancroft said pleasantly, "Come
bub, won't you come out and help us ge
in the hay?" "Perhaps l shall. and per
haps shan't,' was the angry response
Then followed an alteration in which ex
cited and vehement language was use,
and great anger manifested on the part Q
the son. Mr.. Bancroft left and went i'm
mediately TO the field. Mrs. Bancroft, no
being strong woman, and unable t
stand the excitement, had laid down t
rest, and calling Ambrose he came to he
side, when she tried to demonstrate wit
him for his conduct; all to no purpose
however, rs he SEIZED his gun, having frs
burned up his diaries. and starting iron
the house she called after him, Don't d
anything rash, that you will be sorr
for" to which he replied: -" This troub
is ended. AS the boy left the house hi
mother was so impressed that somelhin
awful was to happen that she could nj
rest, and rising commenced walking tn
floor. In this distress of mind she caugh
up her Bible, her eyes resting upon thi
text rs it opened: behold your house i
left unto you desolate." In this grea
agony of soul she called her hushan,
made known her feelings. and desired hr
! to ascertain if anything had happened t
AM rose. The father thinking it but I'm
otner idle threat of the boy, tried to az
pease her by going towards the woods
Il companied by another son. but discoN
erng nothing, resumed his work.
At o'clock, AMBROSE not coming t
supper, diligent search was made, whe
the horrible tragedy was discovered.
seemed that soon after entering the woot
he had load his gun with an overcharg
of powder. using nearly a pound. II
then placed the muzzle of the rife to b
head the butt end upon the ground, an
with the ramrod touched off the trigge
His head was SO completely blown
pieces that nothing was left to show i
previous formation. The barrel of tt
qua was burst, and with parts of the hea
was scattered in every direction. Stuff
cient of the face not remaining for ident
fieation, the remains were carefully wral
ped in Il blanket, placed in coffin, and {
the following day committed TO burial
father, brother and few neighbors fc
lowing them to the place of sepulchre, {
ter services at the now truly desolate
home. w.