Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1894-05-24
Killed by an Officer.

An investigation was held in Han
cock, Saturday, in the case of State
against Constable Fred Wheeler, who
shot Henry Burr ham Il mile and a
half from Hancock village, about dusk
Thursday night, wounding Burnham
in the right shoulder and abdomen,
from the effects of the latter Of which
wounds Bmnham died about 1890
Friday morning. The hearing was be-
fore Justice &. T.. Marsh, States At
toIney Fish prosecuting and Il. HE'D
gerton Of Rochester appearing for the
prisoner. The examination lasted all
day, and il was nearly II o'clock 1T
night when the attorney got back TO
Middlebury on his way home.
Briefly told, the story Of the fatal
shooting of Bunham is as follows:
The Bwnhams belonged latterly ut
jefferson Hill, y. H., and have been
travelling about gypsy fashion. having
four teams. They had been in Midi
dlebnry for a feW davs. having come
from Pouiney. where they wintered
with a brother of Burnham living in
that town. They got over to Hancock
last Tuesday, camping about pile
and half outside the village There
had been trouble and a fight about a
pistol and knife trade at the camp
Thursday afternoon between the
and Young fellows and boys
belonging in Hancock. Officer Wheel
er heard of il and went over, but did
not make any arrest.
John Race, who lives , or so rods
from the camp, claimed that BuInham
had broken the back door of his house
and wanted pay for IT, Burnhan said
lie would pay next day. Race went
TO the village in the evening and want
ed the man arrested, charging intoXi- /.
cation and breach Of peace. Wheeler (
went back over to the camp between 4
s and 9 O'Clock. taking Chester Lew 4
is and Bill Church along with him. 4
The gypsy party were in their wag-
ons and had gotten under way. The \
party consisted Of Bmnham, his wife. 4
hi, mother and three sons. with a
Young daughter; Delbert Chaplin. a
hired man, and Henry Forest, cous-
in and a former resident Of Middle
bury.
Wheeler rode up and asked Burn
ham to get out, saying he wanted to
ak with him. Burnham got out and
hen the facas began. 'rhe States
witnesses claim that Wheeler shot at
Burnham three times two shots hit
ing him: and then BWnham struck
Wheeler with a hickory club, knock
NJ him down. On the other hand
witnesses for respondent all claimed
hat Burnham struck Wheeler over
he head with the club before the lat
er fired the shot. knocking him down.
md that Wheeler fired only twice,
10Th times while on the ground after
)eing knocked down.
The witnesses for the prosecution
we're Mrs. Belle Burnham, the newly
made widow, her three sons. and DR.
W. ID. Huntington of Rochester. who
aid that death resulted from awound
n the abdoment For the respondent,
Wheeler himself told his story. claim
ng that Burnham was drunk and re-
listed arrest and went at him with
lub before the shot was fired; that he
hot in self-defence and because he I
hought he would be killed if he did {
lot.
Chester Lewis. James Lewis, David
Blair, Lewis Martell. Arthur Miller
nd John Race also testified in Mr I
Nheeler's favor. the result of it all
,eing that Justice Marsh concluded
hat there was not sufficient evidence I
0 justify the holding Of Wheeler for I
he grand jury, and, consequently, he {
vas discharged. a large crowd at
ended the examination, and all were
ighly pleased with the way it result
Il as Constable Wheeler is very popu- I
lr in Hancock.-Free Press.