St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1885-12-31
A TRAGEDY AT LYNDON.
A Man Shot Dead in His Tracks
THE LEGITIMATE FRUIT OF RUM
AND PASSION.

LVndOnVlll6 was Tile scene OF a trag-
edy last Monday evening resulting in
the death of Edgar Hayes, who was
shot by Walter Hadley. Early in the
evening "a number of the residents of
the village met at Charles Ayers for
the purpose of playing cards. Among
the number were John Bean, VIM.
Lintott, w. Powers, A. S. Jones, Mr..
Ayers and his family and Walter Had
ley. Later in the evening Edgar Hayes
came in. The party broke up shortly
after o'clock. Hadley went out fol-
lowed by Hayes. Angry words were
spoken, shots were exchanged and
Hayes killed. By his side was found
pistol of 22-calibre ball with one
charge missing, and a pair of brass
knuckles. He had been hit three
times, once near the left hip, flesh
wound, once in the head and one ball
| had entered his left breast and passed
downward. Two of the bullets were
extracted. Hadley at first ran from
the scene but afterward gave himself
up to Deputy Sheriff Silsby, saying
that he had shot Hayes and gave up a
self cooking revolver of "A calibre ball,
which was empty. He claimed that
the shooting was in self defence.
There was i'll feeling between Hadley
and Hayes growing out of claims by
the latter that Hadley had been the
means of the separation between HIM
self and wife which took place three
months ago. Hadley was brought to
st. JOhnsbury Tuesday and lodged in
the Jail.
Our Lyndon correspondent gives
this version of the affair:
Fatal Murdcrous Assault.
On Monday evening last Edgar
Hayes called at the residence of Chas.
Ayers, situated about "a quarter of
mile north of Lyndon depot on the
Vile road, where were present John
Bean, VIM. LintOtt and Walter Had
ley. Hayes at once spoke to Hadley
asking him TO come out of doors for he
wanted to see him. 1t was evident to
those present that Hayes was bound to
have a quarrel with Hadley and tried
to dissnade him from having any words
or trouble, but to no avail. They all
went out of doors, Hadley saying az
don't want to have any trouble with
you, Mr.. Hayes" Hayes then hit him
severe blow with brass knuckles,
cutting through his cap on his fore
head. Hadley said, "YOu can strike
.,t, i II - - 3
and started to run towards his home
which is but a short distance away.
Hayes being very quick, run past Had
ly, confronting him and drawing his
revolver said, "Now, d you, de-
not hit him. Hadley then drew re-
volver and fired three shots, so quick
y that those present could not distin-
guish them hardly but they sounded
like one continuous shot, as he had a
44-calibre self-cocking revolver which
he had while in California. The first
shot hit Hayes in the body near the
stomach, which caused him to partly
drop the second hit him in the heart
He died almost instantly. Hadley at
once gave himself up to the authori-
ties, confessed to killing Hayes bnt
says he did it in self-defense. Report
says Hayes has threatened many times
that he would shoot Hadley, as he
(Hayes) thought Hadley helped to get
away Hayes wife who did not dare to
live with him for fear of her life
Hayes had many times threatened to
kill her. Hayes has always been
known as a rough and quarrelsome
character being under the influence of
rum whenever he could get it, and ut
such times was ever trying to quarrel
with some one. Hayes was about 40
years of age. Hadley is 81. and has
always lived in town excepting about
five years in California, and is well
and favorably known, always quiet
and peaceable.
States Attorney Montgomery, who
has the case in hand, decided to hold
the preliminary trial here before Judge
Smith and the hearing began in the
town hall yesterday at l o'clock. The
hall was filled, many being present
from Lyndon and LyndOnville. Mr..
Montgomery appears for the state and
Messrs. CahoOn and Hoffman for the
respondent. Hadley seemed to take the
matter very seriously and was very
quiet and undemOnstrative during the
hearing. A good deal of feeling pre-
walls at Lyndon, popular opinion
seeming to be favorable to Hadley.
Below will be found resume of the
testimony us offered:
nj fI.a
led and testified in substance as fol-
lows; | live on the ''Old Emery place."
married Ed. Hayes sister; Hayes has
lived at my house since separation from
his wife, three months ago; he was at
supper Monday; after supper he, with
his brother and my son, had general
good time fiddling, dancing, ETC.; had
a drink, didn't see Hayes drink; Hayes
left the house about O'Clock; think he
looked for his wife; became alarmed
about him at 9 and went after him; fol-
lowed his tracks, passing through some
bushes so rods away when / saw pistol
flashes and heard five or six shots: ran
in direction of firing; heard some one
running away; followed and when near
Ayers house found man on his back
who proved to be Hayes; a 22-calibre
revolver and pair brass knuckles lay by !
his right hand; saw wound i'm forehead
and brain prOtruding; shook him but
he did not speak; he was gasping; died
shortly after; knew of no trouble be-
tween Hayes and Hadley; there were
tracks around the body as though some |
one had been walking i'm circle. Both |
Hayes and Hadley's pistols and the
brass knuckles were produced and |
identified.
DR.. Copeland testified that he was