Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-04-04

Our readers may remember that ken-
tucky correspondent of the FREE Pres has
on one or two occasions called attention to
cases of crime in Vermont. As Justification
for crime in kentucky, and mas seemed
to labor under the impression that of the two
Kentucky was the least lawleSs State. The
increase of capital crimes in Vermont has
not escaped full record and comment in our
columns but assassination has by no means
as yet acquired the popularity and dignity
here that it has attained in Kentucky. The
latest shotgun victim in the latter State was
Judge of the Court of Appeals of kentucky
His assassin, Col Thomas Bufori, was
an cx-Conlederatc Colonel, and a man Of
prominent family and standing. lie had
had prolonged law suit, which he had
twice appealed, and which had thrice gone
against him. When the final decision came
from the Court oi Appeals, rendered by
Judge Elliott, on Wednesday last, he went
for his double barrelled shot gun, a1d as
Judge Elliott and his associate on the bench,
Judge Hines, were on their way from court.
in the State Capital, Frankfort, to their
hotel. be shot down the former, putting l.
buckshot through his body and killing him
instantly. No suggestion of insanity is made
in the case of Bulord. and by his own state
mcnt it was a ease of deliberate murder. lie
was interviewed as follows after his arrest
Correspondent Of the Louisville JounGi-
Please give me the particulars of the killing,
Mr. BuIlrd.
Mr. Buiord-Oh, that is easily told.
made up my mind to kill him. | thought on
Monday that | would kill both him and
Judge Pryor the Judge who announced the
decision ol the case IN a lower court but
| thought Of Judge Pryors children, and
took walk to see II ! could not save Pryor,
on account OF his children. | finally con-
cluded 10 do 50. Twelve months ago. IN
March or April came 10 Frankfort deter
mined TO kill Judge Pryor. had u buck
shot IN a flannel his for hm and somebody
else lie knew how my sister had been
wrcused, an; could have controlled the deer
sion. hut the ease was not yet decided and
Determined tn wait.
Correspondent-rcl me about the killing
of Judge Elliott.
Buiord-l made up my mind to kill him.
not because he was the first 10 decide the
case against me, but because he gave me a
Judas kiss he came to me after the decision
and said Colonel, | did all | could Tor
YOU; knew that was Il lie, | knew the
profession was against me my gun was load
ed with L. buckshot in each barrel. |
thought this morning would 20 snIpe-hunt-
! ing; met Judge Elliott, and said to HIM
Judge, | believe | will 20 suiPe-huntlng
won't YOU 70 along - lie sand No. then
asked him 1t he wuuli no. % and take Il
drink, and raised my gun and pulled the
trigger 1t went of clear a. bell, lie
| fell upnn the pavement and thea | WAS sorry.
! | leaned down and placed my hat under his
| head wished to treat HIM with aS much
| courtesy aS he had shown IN the r"h-
/ hcry and ASSASSINATION vt my sister
/ hy his decision. Ii was the most ISnominI-
| Gus game that my gun ever killed. was
arrested then and gave the shcrltf letter To
INV niece. Annie O. Wallace. You can see
the letter. | simply give her all my estate
| in law and equity, and ask To be buried 10y
INV sister | did not intend to kill judge
Hines or judge Pryor. killed Elliott to
show that they could not rob and assassin
ate with impunity. Last week knelt on
NV sisters grave and >worc to gam this SUIT
or die wi,h her | know what | have done
made up nv mind. and ! am ready to take
the Consequences. had pistol IN my
pocket, and intended to use 1t II the shot
gun failed, but it did not tail.
As the victim was not colorcd nan but
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