Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1889-09-09
Murder in Montpelier.


MONTPELIER, VT, Sept. 5.-Sher
man Caswell has been carrying on the
farm of Willard S. Cutler since the
death of the latter, living meantime
with Cutters daughter. Yesterday
she married one George Gould and
today Caswell, in jealous passion,
shot off Gould's lower jaw. Gould
died this afternoon.
The murder is the absorbing topic
of conversation tonight. The details
are as follows: On the highway lead
ing from Montpelier to Calais, one
and half miles from the former
place, just over the line in East Mont
pelier, lies Willard Cutters farm.
Twenty-Five years ago Sherman Cas-
well entered Cutters employ and this
farm has since been his home. Cas-
well aspired to the hand of Cutters
daughter, Laura, now buxom, good
looking woman, SO years of age, but
her parents always objected to his
suit. Three years ago Cutler was
buried. Caswell and the girl remained
on the farm together, and the proper
ty was reported mortgaged to him.
About the time of Mrs. Cutters death
George Gould began to work upon
the farm. He has since been the sue
cessful rival in Caswell in the affec-
ton of Lanra. Yesterday Caswell
went away for a day, and upon re-
turning at night he found Gould and
Laura had gone away together for the
purpose of getting married, he was
told. He had previously told her
that Gould should never come to the
farm as her husband. When he
learned of their intention he flew into
a passion and freely threatened re-
venge. About l 1 o'clock in the fore
noon Mr.. and Mrs. Gould drove into
the yard. Mrs. Gould went into the
house and her husband went into the
barn. Having cared for the team,
Gould started for the house with an
armful of wood. AS he stepped on
the doorstep, Caswell emptied charge
of buckshot into him from a window
above. The charge took away the
entire left side of Gould's face and
entered the right side of his chest.
Gould stood transfxed a moment then
crazed with pain, he turned and start
ed down the road, the blood pouring
from his wounds. A few rods from
the house he fell by the roadside and
in 10 minutes was dead. There were
two ladies besides Mrs. Gould in the
house, but none of them saw the shoot
ing. Caswell went to neighbor's
and requested to be brought to Mont
pelier. On Main street he was met
by Charles De F. Bancroft, Justice
of the peace, who had just heard OF
the shooting. Stopping Caswell, Ban
croft inquired into the facts. The
murderer talked quite freely, and
when Bancroft told him he must de-
tain him, Caswell said he had come
down for the purpose of giving him.
self up. Thereupon he was taken to
the county jail. Caswell was born
at Worcester and was 46 years of age.
He was a member of Company c.,
18th Vermont Volunteers, and pen
sioner. 1t is believed that it was his
intention to kill Gould, Mrs. Gould
and himself, but that his cour-
age failed him. He babe the neigh
bors good by last night, telling them
they might never see him again. The
charge fired into Gould is further
evidence of murder premeditated.
The shot was too large for any game
hereabouts. The customary legal
measures will be taken and the result
is awaited with great interest. An
autopsy will be held tomorrow morn
ing.