The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1894-03-16
THE TROY ELECTION MURDER.

The Trojan city has at last arisen in its
might and purposes to rid itself of ring
rule, even if the "boss" is no less per-
sonage than u. S. Senator Murphy. The
mass meeting held last Thursday in the
Ninth Presbyterian church, resulted in
the election of a Committee of One Hun
dred, to carry on the matter. The Dis
trict Attorney will be assisted by Frank
S. Black and Seymour Van Santvoord
In the list of names we find the following.
who are we'll known in Bennington:
LeGrand G. Tibbits, Norman B. Squires,
Cbas. A. Macleod, Seymour Van SAINT
voord, j. Wool Griswold, VIM. II. Frear,
Rev. John Walsh, G. w. Tillinghas', VIM.
H. Shields, e. Palmer Boughton, Geo. A.
Packer, Rev. j. Ireland Tucker and
others. Last Sunday at the union meet
ing in Grace Church, the Rev. Jos.
Zweifel made a statement in regard to
the murder in the 18th ward on election
day, that should be read in this connec-
ton ''My relation to the recent so-called
election is very peculiar. am, perhaps,
in no condition of mind to speak on the
subject this Sunday evening in Gods
own place, but l hope you will be indul-
gent with me. My relations with the
Ross brothers were of short duration,
but it was among the greatest honors of
my life to be associated with them. A
few weeks since, as the citizens of the
18th ward will remember, there was
caucus in operation here. A dispute
arose. Somebody created disturbance.
The present alderman-elect, finding that
he was likely to be out-numbered, some
how caused his friends to get in, and l
think you all know the result. Phen one
of those Ross boys was struck in the
face by miscreant with the butt end of
a revolver. The ballots were taken to 4
saloon and then brought back to us. We
refused to vote further. Then the citi-
zens held mass meeting. | was invited
to attend and considered it privilege.
After the nominations we're made a COM
mittee of five was appointed to see that
the petitions were legally filed. John
Ross was one of the committee, so was
Dr. Webster and myself. John Ross
was the chairman. The petitions were
properly filed and another mass meeting
was had. Then came the day of election
and the dastardly outrage which blotted
again the already infamous name of
Troy.
"lt seems to me fitting that we of this
ward should hold this kind of Il meeting
in this place tonight to express our feel
ings. About two blocks east of here, it
was where the young mans life went
out, and over there is the saloon where
the scOundrelly Shea was sheltered, un-
der police guard they say, and whence
he had the impudence subsequently to
90 and vote in his own district, along
side of honest men. Directly opposite
almost, is the humble Methodist parson-
age, where William Ross was taken.
Only little way off, on North Fourth
street, is where John McGough lives.
| heard man had been shot and l
looked from my window down the street,
to see crowd coming. They were lead
ing William Ross, and he looked up at
me in my window, smilingly, and said
'TlIey have hit me this time, Mr..
Zwelfel' All this was in our ward, and
so we ought to meet here and put the
stamp of our indignation on the bastard
ly deed. At the ward mass meeting the
question was put: Decent citizens, will
you see to it at there is a fair count
and honest election?' The Ross boys
were present at that meeting, and they
were the most enthusiastic. How well
did they put the spirit of that resolution
into effect.
| sit is held by some that the Methodist
minister of Grace church is partly re-
spOnsible for the tragedy, because he
told good citizens to 60 to the polls
ready for any emergency. 1t is
said that he is really response
BILE. Wen, if did say that, the advice
was not carried out by the Ross boys,
police reports to the contrary notwith
standing. They had no reYolvers. Al
the request of their dear mother, whom
they so loved, they left their weapons at
home, and went to the polls armed only
with the weapons given them by God
l am willing to support what l said al
that ward mass meeting. The remark
was heard: They must be put out Of
the way From this we have reason tC
infer that the Ross boys were marked
from the day of the caucus. Besides, IL
what | said, have very distinguished
company. Did say any more than Gov
Flower did when he advised that re
peaters be driven away from the polls?
From the tone of the press, the pulpi
and the people, this matter will be slftec
out at the inquest now in progress, and
the responsibility placed where it be
longs. John Ross swears that bat
Shea shot his brother and that he saw
him do it.