The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-09-16
4 story Of Crime.

PoRT HENRY N. Y. Sept. 1.-TWO
Vermont desperadoes, named Oliver
Jackson (colored) and James Palmer,
engaged a horse and carriage at Rich
ard Maldoon's livery stable in Vcr-
gennes. on Saturday noon last, TO go TO
Wcsiport, N. Y, and return the same
day.. They drove to Adams fsrry in
Panton, W., where they seemed 10
have changed their purpose and passing
down the Vermont side, crossed at Nor
tons ferry, near Chimney Point, land
ing at Port Henry, where they drove
south to the bagnio of Mrs. Marston,
who, however, refused 10 admit them.
They then proceeded to break open the
door and were met bv Mrs. Marston
with a scven-shooter. Knocking her
down they seized her revolver and pre-
senting it at her head pulled the trigger.
The cartridge failed to explode and
shortly after they presented the weapon
at the head of Mrs. Marston's son, lad
of about 10 years, swapping the pistol
twice. Fortunately the cartridcs again
failed. Tho marks of tho hammer
stroke are visible on all of these cart
ridges in the revolver, which is now i'm
the hands of the officers here. After
tarrying short time jackson and Pal
mer drove through Port Henry, north.
and when near Cheever ore mines, met
three respectable young ladies return
ing from party at q short distance
away, and Jackson, leaving Palmer
holding the horse. jumped from the
carriage and Selling one of the young
ladies throw her to the ground and at
tempted to outrage her. Tho other
women ran for assistance and returned
Immediately with brother of the as
saulted girl, and, armed with club,
he succeeded in reaching Jackson as he
was attempting to mount tho carriage,
and fellcd him with terrible blow on
tho head. following 1t up with othcrs
until jackson was fearfully punished.
Others arriving, Jackson was carried
into a barn near by and left, while
pursuit was made for Palmer, who as
soon as the affray commenced drove of
with oil speed in the direction of Crown
FONT. lie was overtaken and re turned
to this place, where he was brought be-
fore Judge Treadway for hearing and
is said to have subsequently been taken
to Elizabethtown Jail.
Meanwhile the father of the assaulted
girl had been persuaded by her to al
low jackson to depart, as she shrank
from the notoriety incident to her APP
pearing in court room and testifying.
jackson, with clothes bloody and
features swollen, fastened to Westport
and crossed the ferry to Vermont, re-
manning over night with Mr.. David
Brady in West Ferrisburg, whose
home he left at nine O'Clock the next
morning. Mr.. Maldoon arrived early
Monday morning and recovered his
team, with whichlhe subsequently, re-
turned to Vermont, where the officers
are now in search of Jackson, who was
seen Sunday evening in the vicinity of
Grand View mountain. lie was on
foot and bore the appearance of having
been badly punished. Jackson is con-
sidercd dangerous criminal, having
served term at Dannemora prison for
burglary, and another term of five years
which he had just completed al Wind
sor. Vt. Palmer was sent to the State
Reform School number of years ago
and subsequently released on good be-
havior. lie was arrested with Jackson
III the burglary of Mrs. Warmers resi-
dence, where they obtainad cvor $40
in money.