Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1897-08-25
SHOOTING AT WOODSTOCK.
Judge Thomas o. Seaver Shot W an Opium
Fauatic-Wound May not Prove Fatal.


Thomas o. Seaver of Woodstock Judge
of the HaI tford probate district, in Wind
sor county, was shot and seriously wounded
Monday morning by William w. Law
renee. The cause was Lawrence's dissatis-
faction with court action in relation to his
affairs, and apparently brooding upon his
troubles had unsettled his mind so that he
is not fully responsible.
The trouble began with the separation
Of Lawrence and his wife two years ago,
when guardian was appointed for one OF
his children, girl of eight years. Law
renee has since often attempted to regain
possession of the child, once kidnapping
her, for which he was arrested and fined.
Later an Injunction was issued by the
County court restraining him from interfer-
ing with or getting possession Of his child.
At the last term court this injunction was
dissolved. Lawrence, long worried by
domestic troubles and nursing his griev-
ance against Judge Seaver, drove into
I Woodstock at about $50 o'clock and,
with copy of the courts order in his
pocket, went to Judge Seaver's house on
Linden street, and demanded possession Of
the child, who is living there at present.
With few words the Judge ordered him
away. Lawrence went out by the front
4 door, down the steps, turned and told the
Judge that If he came step further be
would shoot him. The latter, standing in
the doorway, moved toward him and Law
renee fired two shots from SO caliber re-
volver, one bullet entering his breast, pass
ing through the right lung and lodging in
back just under the skin. The other
pierced the Judges coat sleeves. The
Judge was able to walk alone into the
house, and was carried to his chamber.
Lawrence Immediately drove to the jai
and surrendered bimself When he wa.
searched bottle of morphine was found
on him, which he begged to be allowed tt
keep. 81 want you to understand" hi
said to Sheriff Thomas, ''that morphine
had nothing to do with this. am not in
sane and all want is fair trial"
It is reported that Lawrence had writer
the Judge several letters threatening BIZ
life, but that the Judge made light Of BIZ
threats.
Several weeks b. fore the term of cour
commenced, which dissolved the injunc
ton, Lawrence wrote long letter to Gov
Grout asking his intercession in the matter
and in this letter Lawrence said in sub
stance eff Tom Seaver keeps on interfer
ing in my matters, shall shoot him. thi
letter Gov. Grout sent to Judge Seavel
and in commenting on it before some
members of the Windsor county bar ant
in reply to questions, the Judge said
"Oh am not afraid Of his shooting" ant
then the Judge added, laughingly, Il die
not mind the familiar way that be spoke o
the court if he had only spelled Tom will
a capital T."
Although the Judge is nearly 20 years o
! age, the conditions are reported tavorabl,
for his recovery. A hearing in the case o
Lawrence will be postponed until it i,
certain whether the Judge will live OF
die.
Judge Seaver was born in Pomfret, en-
listed in the Sd Vermont regiment, be
came its colonel and served through ths
war and has since practiced law in Caven
dish and in Woodstock. He has splendit
war record. He was for few years com
mander of the Vermont National Guart
and was appointed judge Of probate on thu
death of Judge Pingree.