Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-10-25

home to his mother and sister, made
such good promises and appeared SO
nearly sane, that they concluded to have i
him return. Since his return he has
lived part of the time with Williams,
part of the time at his mothers, apd
some of the time tramping abroad. He |
had great idea Of travel. and if he |
could get money, would start off, go as
far as it would carry him, work little.
and then return on foot, picking his
way back by sleeping in barns, begging
food, etc. Within year he went as
far as Providence, R. 1. He would oc-
casionally hire out, but seldom on full
wages, and was smart to work, especial
ly in company, where he knew the peo-
pie.
He worked in haying and some since
for J. H. Ingalls,, was always pleasant
there, but Ingalls, and his wife discov-
cred that, when crossed he was thrown
off his balance. Three weeks ago Mrs.
Ingalls, talked about his peculiarities
with his mother, and told her that she
thought something ought to he done
with Byron, as she feared he might
sometime do harm. Mrs. Blake then
said he had sometimes threatened to
kill them, and at times she half feared
he might. But she was his mother and
couldn't bear to think of sending him
back to the asylum. She thought it
was temper" and hoped to always
keep him under control.
With strangers Byron never started
conversation, and when addressed would
seldom say more than to answer ques-
tions the shortest way. He would fire.
quently 60 to the village store, sit an
hour, but seldom talked. He was eth
er ugly or odd, the village people never
knew which. Mr.. Park was feeble, some
times little peevish, and Byron never
got along very we'll with him. Since
his return from the asylum be has, on
one or two occasions, struck him. Once
III the hay field they got to battling with
forks, but were separated by Byron's
young brother, Will. now the only sur
viving member of the family. He would
frequently 60 down to Mr.. Ingalls, to
spend an evening and was always pleas
ant, though not always sociable. He
was the same when the Ingalls, visited
at Mr.. Parks. But at home he was
usually morose, ill-tempered and hard
to manage, sometimes not on speaking
terms with his mother, and sometimes
the same with Alice. In the presence
of Mr.. Williams, however, he was al
ways civil, respectful and would usually
do as he requested him.
The day of the tragedy Miss Hollis,
the school teacher, commenced to board
there, but she discovered something in
Byron which she was afraid of at sight,
and as she left the house that morning,
she made up her mind that she would
sooner throw up her school than remain
there.
We give these particulars that the
public may judge of the character and
condition of the perpetrator of the most
horrible tragedy ever enacted in this
part of Vermont. Some think he wa:
crazy, and others think he was only
mad. That he ever planned the murder
is scarcely to be credited. Like Other
ungovernable boys, he had, in passion
ate fits, sometimes threatened to kill hi
folks, but that he ever intended to, We
do not believe.
AS soon as the tragedy was announc
, ed the shock to the community was yer,
great. People could scarcely credit it
From Sheffield and surrounding town
they hurried to the scene, and all da,
Tuesday and Wednesday the house ant
yard was full of people, called Their
from curiosity and sympathy with MI
y Williams. Funeral services were he'll
Thursday last. very large congregatio
: attending.
Il Mr.. Park and his wife were peopl
e highly esteemed by their neighbors
Il Alice was popular with all and he
e home was favorite place of resort wit
g the young people of Wheelock and She
e field. She and her mother are the vii
Tins Of their own affection. They rea
'e lied the peculiarities of son an
r brother, but, rather than have him col
( fined. preferred to assume the care an
Is direction of him, hoping always II
IS best. Mr.. Williams, the only one lei
s. of that family group of five persons, b;
t, the heartfelt sympathy of his frienc
lie and people everywhere.
IRISH AGITATION