Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-05-28
1T WAS A BLooDLBss BATTLE

Because PrussIus Maniey Had Either a
Weak Nerve or a Rad Aim---Hostilities
Have Ceased, and Peace Reigns Once
More In Dummerston.
Hostile demonstrations in the Dunn.
merston war have ceased, the dead and
wounded have been removed from the
field and, with the aid of a legal tribunal,
terms of an armistce have been agreed
upon. Thus in one short week has the
peace and tranquility of our neighboring
town been disturbed and restored Only
one engagement has been reported thus
far, and in this the opposing generals we're
Walter F. Walker and Prussius W, Man
ley. The immediate cause of the outbreak
was a lease from 5. II. Sherman Of Brat
tleboro TO Mr.. Walker to carry on a certain
piece of land to which Mr.. Manley claimed
the title. but the crisis was precipitated
when Mr.. Manley virtually accused Mr..
Walker of disseminating false statements
This was the way the breeze blew in. Mr.
Manley formerly owned a piece of land
about midway between Brattleboro and
Putney known as the Laughton farm. He
sold this possession TO T. N. Waite and
the latter, in his latest deal with Mr.. Sher-
man to get himself out of Jail, decided his
equity in the place to Mr.. Sherman. II
appears that Mr. Waite had not paid Mr.
Manley the interest money due when his
equity was transferred TO Mr.. Sherman,
for which reason Mr.. Manley claims title
TO the place.
During the last of last week Mr.. Walker
offered TO carry on certain part of the
land provided he could get peaceable pos
session of il. On Monday he saw Mr.
a r3, 1t Grs
acres, until Dec. l, for $50. On bis way
home he stopped at Mr.. MAnley's to show
him the lease, but Mr.. Manley was away
Mr.. Manley called at Mr.. Walkers about S
o'clock Tuesday morning and asked to sec
the lease, which was shown him. He then
asserted that Mr.. Sherman had no right tc
give such a lease and that he should oppose
anyone who attempted to take possession
of the land, by force if necessary. The
conversation which followed was some
thing like this: "You wouldn't use force
on anyone, Mr.. Manley." Yes, l would
l would shoot any man who attempted &c
90 on that land" "You wouldn't shoot
me, Mr. Manley" Eyes, would, would
shoot you as quick as l would a -
skunk" ooh no, you are always threat
ening, but you never hurt anybody" Mr.
Manley then asserted that that statement
was untrue, using the word liar" where
upon Mr.. Walker stated that such language
was prohibited on his premises and that il
he wished to continue it it would be neces-
sary to go down into the highway. Both
men promptly went down to the road and
after more conversation like the above Mr..
Maney drew a shooting iron and aimed il
at Mr. Walker, bu, did not fire it. A little
later he suddenly fired it-some say toward
Mr.. Walker, others say not.
At any rate the bullet did not take eff
feet and Mr.. Walker returned to his house
and after recovering his composure, entered
a complaint before the DummerstOn town
grand Juror, who swore out a warrant for
the arrest Of Manley. 1t was forwarded TO
States Attorney Robb, who signed and re-
turned it TO Constable Adm +. Miller for
service Mr.. Manley was arrested yester-
day morning and the case was heard before
Justice j. II. Merriield in the probate Of
fee in the afternoon. The charge pre-
ferred against Mr. Manley was assault
with pistol with the intent to kill and
murder. The state put on four witnesses
who all told the story substantially as
above. The defence put in no evidence,
Lawyer Hit asking only that the bail be
fixed at a small amount as this be consist
ent with the gravity of the case. Justice
Merrifeld placed the bail at 5000, which
was furnished by Manley and his son.