The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1888-10-04
WINDHAM COUNTY COURT.
THE DODGE MURDER CASE,

The testimony of the most interest
Thursday and Friday and Saturday morn
ing was that of the doctors whose evidence
was relied upon by the State for Dodge's
conviction. Miss Knapp was found dead
Wednesday morning; she was buried
Friday and on the folliwing Wednesday
the body was exhumed and post-mor-
TEN examination was made by Dr's Gale,
Webster and Pratt of Brattleboro. This
revealed q discoloration on both sides
OF the neck, on the head, above the right
ear on the extreme back part of the
head and also on the chest; thew also
FOUND one lung two-thirds gone. These
dlscolorations were attributed to violence
by Dr's Gale and Pratt; Webster was not
quite so sure of it, but thought the mari
on the side of the head certainly indica-
ted violence. Death in their opinion re.
suited from shock produced by the
cause which made the discolorations. DR..
Allen OF Rutland listened to the testimo-
ny OF the doctors and as an expert wit
mes testified in behalf of the state and cor.
roborated the view taken by the doctors
VINO made the autopsy. At this point
the State rested.
Inc first witness for the respondent
was Dr. Conland. He did not think from
what he had heard of the examination
that death resulted from violence. Tn his
opinion death came from consumption
Though he had had no experience with a
case OF this kind he said the books men.
toned cases of sudden death from con.
sumption, especially where one lung is
disabled. DIR. Breck of Springfield, MASS.
followed him. He is post-mortem exami-
ner OF Massachusetts and examines from
30 to 10 bodies year, all cases of sudden
death. In this case it was his belief death
was caused by consumption. The condi.
ton OF the lung indicated this he had ex.
perlence with a similar case; did not
MINK 1t could be told so long after death
whether the marks found on the bod,
were due to violence or putrefaction. Drs
Holton and Ketchum of Brattleboro were
OF the same opinion as Drs Conland and
Brock. following the doctors came test;-
nony tending to show that Miss Knapp
was In feeble health; also testimony ten
ding to show that Dodge could not have
been in the office when death took place
The last witness in behalf of Dodge was
Geo. b. Hit. This testimony was as to
what Rose and Ora Knapp had testified
10 at the preliminary hearing and what
they had denied on the stand; also in ref
erence to Wheeler Knapp, who told him
he sometimes thought he would clear the
matter all up. He was at the office very
near the time Dodge was there, and from
this remark it is presumed he knew facts
which if produced would acquit Dodge.
AT noon Monday the testimony was all
In and in the afternoon Col. Haskins led
on In the arguments consuming the en-
tire afternoon session. The theory of
the prosecution, as outlined by him. is
That Dodge went into the post-office, had
an alteration with Miss Knapp, struck
hei and went out; went in second time,
found the body of his victim on the floor
and, to cover his crime, placed it as found
Portions of his appeal were quite touch
ing. Judge Reed occupied hours OF
Tuesdays forenoon session in the open
ing argument for the defence. This was
strong, eloquent and practical appea
and showed in very humorous manner
the fallacy of the Colonels theory; and
made gond point in arraigning DIR
Gales direct testimony against his con
fessions in his cross examination. His
closing words, as well as the opening re
marks of Hon. j. L. Martin, who sue
ceeded him, were exceedingly pathetic
and eloquent The audience was moved
to breathless stiffness and the jury a
times were in tears. Mr. Martin occupied
themost of the afternoon session: he deal
quite severely with the doctors who hat