Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-08-08
SUSPECTED MURDER
NORTON, VT.
A man found on the Il. X. track cut In
two, his body bearing marks
of foul play.
The Supposed Murderer Ar
rested.

A thrill of horror and excitement
pervaded this community on tue morn
ing of August Cd, as the news spread
that the body Of man had been found
on the Il. Il. track, one-half mile from
Norton Mills station, in q terribly
mangled condition, and apparently
hearing marks Of foul play. 1t was
iGscertained to be the body of one Will
liam Tobin of Sherbrooke, Canada.
Suspicion was at OIce directed to the
person last seen in company with lob
in, and consequently one Gedeon Ma
thieu, also of Sherbrookc, was taken
into custody by deputy Sheriff Nelson.
An inquest was held at Norton on Sat
urday last by Justice White of island
Pond, at which the following was
learned in regard to the terrible ira
gedy. 1t seems that TobiD, the de
ceased, II young man about % years OF
age, and Matthew, 10 years of age, al
rived at Norton, last Friday evening,
from Sherbrooke. Both were intoxi-
Gated. Upon leaving the cars they
walked together on the track toward
the upper mill, and were noticed and
converted with by individuals. From
about $50 p. H., till u. ~, nothing
was seen of them. At the latter hour
Matthew put in an appearance at the
house of Joseph Decoteau in very
noticeable condition, hatless, swollen
face, cut lip, and black eyes, Indicative
of a strife with something animate. At
this place he had previously boarded.
He here enquired is the damned train
gomez" When told that it had, he
went to room and retired with bis
clothes on. At $50 a. In. the body of
Tobin was found. Great excitement
prevailed. DR.. Pottle Of Island Pond
was called and made an examination
of the remains, the most noticeable
feature of which was the discovery of
hole in the forehead, half an inch
deep, and averaging three quarters OF
an inch in length and width. The
doctor thought this would not of ne.
cessity cause death, but an almost en-.
tire paralysis and insensibility. lie
was of the opinion that it was done
some time previous to the body being
run over by the train. Two trains ore
supposed to have passed over the
body. Near the body two hats were
found, one of which was identified by
Matthew as his. Near by, Sheriff 30.
nett found spruce club, about two
feet in length, near one end of which
was peculiarly shaped projecting
knot, which upon trial exactly fitted
into this hole in the forehead. Matthew
pleaded ignorance of everything which
transpired from the time he left Sher.
brooke to some time in the night when
he awoke on the track, and then went
Immediately to Decoteau's. The Cor
oner's report will beTorwarded to the
proper authorities, and in due season
will be made public.
FURTHER PROCEEDINGS.
Last Tuesday morning States At
torney Hale went to Norton and pro.
ceeded with a hearing before Justice
White, Matthew being arraigned on
the charge of murder. Judge Storrs,
assisted by Mr.. Belanger of Sher-
brooke, conducted the defence. NJ
merous witnesses were called, the prin-
cipal features of their testimony being
similar to what has already been stat
ed. The accused was committed to
await the action of the grand jury in
September, and was conveyed to Jail
by Sheriff Bonett last Wednesday
There are numerous and varied theor.
les about this terrible affair, but it is
doubtful if the real facts will ever be
revealed, the evidence AS presented
being purely circumstantial Tobin
and Matthew had been together great
deal, and were apparently on friend
! ly telms up to that fatal night