The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15
AT FATHERS HOUSE
Tohn O'Neil Arrested For Hattie
McCloud's Murder.

The Prisoner Declared Ills Innocence
When Awakened From His Morning
Sleep by Officers of the Law
Greenfield, Mass, Jan. John O'NeiI
DR., 26, laborer occasionally and drunk
frequently, " as arrested at the house of
his father in the village Of Buckland at
$3.50 o'clock This morning, on the charge
of numbering Mrs. hattie l.. Mcleod
last t'riday evening. lie was brought to
Greenfield on the carry morning train,
taken to the lookup given a breakfast
vi sandwich ana water, and at
Oclock WAS arraigned in the district
court before Associate Justice Dana.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge OF
murder. "A nearing was set Tor Thurs
day, Jan. u, at 8 o'clock. He was held
without BAH, and, at 9:15, was lodged in
q comfortable cell in the Franklin
county jail These are the bald facts in
a story that is now on the lips of sew
eral thousand people here in western
Massachusetts.
At O'Clock last evening the officers
felt that they were warranted in making
an arrest, but warrant was necessary,
and Detective Munyan drove to Green
field, covering the nine miles in remark
ably quick time. In company with Dep
uty Sheriff w. M. Smead, he went to the
house of William S. Allen, clerk Of the
district court. Mr.. Allen, who is a
nephew of Justice Allen of the supreme
court, was passing the evening skating,
and it was II o'clock before he returned.
A trip was at once taken to the dis
trict courtroom, but it was after mid
night before the warrant was in the
hands Of Mr.. Munyan. * start was then
made for Shelburne Falls, and the nine
miles over Shelburne mountain was
made in less than two hours. After
reaching Shelburne Falls a conference
of all the officers was held, and it was
then determined that the arrest should
be made in season to take the morning
owl train for Greenfield, which leaves
Shelburne Falls shortly after o'clock.
Officers had been watching the house
all night, and it was known that O'Neil
was within. The house was surrounded.
a man stationed at each door, and then
a knock was made at the usual en-
trance. Mrs. ONeil, the mother, was
already up and preparing the breakfast.
As it was quite dark in the house, she
had light in her hand when she opened
the door.
State Officer Munyan, Deputy Sheriff
Smead of Greenfield and Police Officer
Wesley Woodland of Shelburne Falls en-
tered the house, which is situated only
a short distance from the scene of the |
tragedy. The other officers remained +
outside.
Officer Munyan asked Mrs. O'Neil, rs
John in?" and Mrs. ONeil said, Yes
what is wanted?" The reply of Mr. Nun
yam was:
I'VE want to arrest John on the sus-
picion that he murdered Hattie Nc
Leod last Friday night"
Mrs. O'Neil simply said John is in
that room and pointed to a door,
The officers at once entered, and O'Neil
was seen in his bed, sleeping as sound
l. as an innocent child Sheriff Smead
aroused O'Neil, and said, We want you
The suspected man kicked off the bed
clothing and bounded to the floor. He
said What do you want?" and was
told that he was under arrest for the
murder of Mrs. McCloud.
O'Neil at once id, Il am innocent:
never committed that murder Who
said l did it?"
Apparently he WIS self possessed, al
though as ne stood in the room, without
He was told by Sheriff Snead that no
one had sand he committed the murder,
but that he was arrested on suspicion.
O'Neil bowed his head in his hands for
an instant and was then told to dress
himself He at once complied.
The funeral of the victim occurred yes
terday afternoon, at the residence of her
father, Mr. George D. Crittenden. The
eight remaining daughters and the sew
eral sons-in-law We're there. and these
very intimate friends: Mrs. Ozro Miller,
Miss Ida Miller, Miss Nellie Dewsnap,
Mrs. Albert j. Amstein and Mrs. NJ. G.
Clapp. Quantities of exquisite flowers
were heaped upon the black casket and
many more gave their sweet message of
sympathy all about the lower rooms.
Mrs. McClouds pastor, Rev. w. H.
Ashley of the Congregational church,
and Mrs. Crittenden's pastor, Rev. H. G.
Alley of the Methodist church, OBLIGATED.
One of the developments Of the day is
the talk of lynchng in case it should be
found that local parties committed the
crime. A sermon preached by Rev. w.
H. Ashley Sunday night has excited
much comment In speaking of man
who would commit such a crime he said:
IF a rope was thrown around such a
mans neck and he was pulled up along
side a telephone pole, such a death would
not end his existence. Justice demands
a hell for such man. But the law is
imperative. The law is now largely used
to defend the guilty"
May Not Get Their Licenses {
HaVerhill, Mass. Jan. Pa sensa- !