The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-07-23
Charged with Murder.

Brief mention was made last week of the
sudden death of Mrs. John Murray Of Berlin,
and that an examination Of the body had been
made by Drs. Chandler and Kemp. The re-
suits OF the autopsy have not been made pub
lie, but the inference is drawn that evidence of
death from unnatural causes was found, as
M Murray was arrested Sunday morning on the
charge of murder and is now confined in the
Montpelier Jail, awaiting his hearing. The at
tention of States Attorney Huse was first called
to the case on Monday afternoon, July 14th,
and he caused the examination to be made the
following day, as stated last week. For some
reason the body of Mrs Murray, which had
been buried in the Clay Hill cemetery, was
disinterred on Sunday, and the stomach is now
doubtless being car efully examined by experts.
The hearing is now fixed for Thursday, when
such facts as have been discovered will be
made public unless the case Is discontinued
for lack of evidence. IL is entirely possible
that no proof OF any foul play will be discov-
ered and that Murray may have been arrested
merely as precautionary measure, the states
attorney fearing that he might be scared off by
the ugly rumors ahoat and the fact that the
body was disinterred. Through the courtesy
of Charles II. Heath, ESQ.,. counsel for Mr..
Murray, and Deputy Sheriff John l.. Tuttle
representative of The WATCHMAN had an in
terview with the prisoner at the Jail yesterday,
when, In reply to questions, he told substan-
tally the following story: | was born 10 More
town and am thirty-three years of age. |
rented what Is known as the Siloway farm, in
Berlin, about ten years ago, and have lived on
1t ever since, with the exception OF about two
years, 1888, when | lived In Montpelier and
worked for the Lane Manufacturing Company.
| was married about three years ago and have
no children My domestic relations have al
ways been pleasant. Sunday, July 18th, was
perfectly sober and there was no trouble be-
tween my wife and myself. We were both
about home all day. In the afternoon my wife
and hired boy went out to pick some peas,
when she complained of feeling very tired and
dizzy. She came in to lie down just as | went
out to harness young colt ttat was break
ing, and when came back about dark, found
her lying on our bed in the bedroom, not on
the floor, as has been stated | sp ke, and as
| she did not answer, | tried to arouse her by
shaking her | then bathed her face in cold
| water, thinking she might have tainted, and
tried every way could to bring her back to
| consciousness. When found she was dead
went to my nearest neighbor, Moses Shuttle,
| and, taking his team, we two came to Montpe
| lier to notify my relatives and get a physician
| Some one went after DR.. Chandler and | returned
to my home with my sister, Mrs Seinas. Dr.
Chandler did not come and L sent my brother
to Montpelier, telling him to get some doctor
! to come sure. He found DR.. Tempeton, who
arrived about three o'clock Monday morning
| After making an examination, he told us t
prepare the body for burial, and said it nigh
| just as well have been done before. was par
| tiCuidr W uhNoa uOcJOT COlue rs tn6 uealn o
my wife was so sudden that was afraid ther
might be some suspicious about it. The frs
intimation had that anything was wrong wa
on Tuesday morning, when States Attorney
Huse, with Drs. Chandler and Kemp, came t,
the house and the physicians held post NOR
tenn examination. Nothing was said abou
any legal proceedings. and the funeral wa
held at the Catholic church in Montpelier
Father Duglue officiating. During the weel
heard reports that | was arrested but KEEP
about my work as usual, staying nights at m,
fathers on Court street. Sunday morning, JUS
as was hitching up my horse to go to m
farm, Deputy Sheriff Tuttle arrested me ant
brought me to Jail. My wife has been trouble,
with dizziness and shortness of breath eve
since four years ago, when she had kind O
sunstroke, and on several occasions has bee
Frustrated by some unusual excitement.
There is a seemingly well-founded repor
that Murray and his wife have not Away
lived happily, and Murray's record has not bee
without blemish, but there should be yer
positive evidence brought out before he shoul
be judged by the public to be guilty of 5
terrible crime as the murder of his wife
The result of the hearing will be awaited wit
much interest