Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-07-16
THE VERMONT NEWS.
A Vermont Desperate.
James Shelts Shoots His Employer at
Norwich. and Escapes AT white River
Junction by knocking Down n Police

James Shelts Shoots His Employer at
Norwich. and Escapes at White River
Junction by Knocking Down Police
man.
James Shells, alias Baker. shot his employer,
James Brigham Of Hanover, n. H., at Norwich
Sunday, was arrested at White River junction
Monday, and escaped by knocking down the po
liceman who had MIN in charge.
man giving his name as Baker secured EN-
ployment Of Mr.. Brigham, who is an ice dealer
last February. He said he was a deserter from
the English army, and when strangers approached
he always eyed them suspciousy Baker LETT
last Saturday while his employer was away, tell
ing Mrs. Brigham he would return IN the morn
ing He failed to appear, and Mr. Brigham
found that pocket book containing SlQ IN cash
and check for $40 was missing. Baker was
found at Norwich He refused to accompany
Constable Cook, and the officer was pow erless
for the time as he had no papers for Bakers ar
rest Cook started after a warrant. After some
more talk Baker stepped back, drew revolver
and told Brigham that If he came toward him he
would shoot him. and that he would give HIM I'M
til he counted three to leave. Brigham clinched
Baker and the latter shot on part OF ms right ear
Baker then fled.
II was found Monday that Baker had hired a
team at Thetford and was bound for Sharon.
Sheriff Spofford and Deputy Hoffman went to
Sharon, but their man had taken the south bound
train They telephoned to White River Junction
and Policeman John D. Hutchinson, States At
torney Harvey and Daniel Ahern, a trainman, en-
tered car and found Brigham's assailant, who
said his name was James Shelts and that he was
going to Manchester. He arrested, and re-
vulver was taken from HIM.
Policeman Hutchinson proceeded with Shelts to
the lookup and leaving Shes standing little
back unlocked one of the cell doors Then Snelts
struck Policeman Hutchinson terrific blow on
the head, knocking him insenslhle Shelts re
covered his revolver from the policeman. locked
him in the cell. took the keys from the cell lock
and unlocked the shaCkles from ms wrists with
his te-th and took his departure. Policeman
Hutchinson soon recovered consciousness and
gave the alarm and was released He had two
teeth knocked ont Of his upper jaw
Officers in all the adjoining towns were notified
and several men started in pursuit of Shells but
/ nothing was seen Of him that day He is about
. feet inches In height light compleNloned.
| light mustache. blue eyes. and weighs about 1875
Il has been ascertained that Shets has been init
mate with girl working at Hanover. that they
! met Monday night at the house of Joe Morrill,. a
railroad section man living south of Norwich vii
/ lagr where Shells got his supper. The officers
searched the place only five minutes after he had
| left. When he escaped Shelts wore black suit
| black felt hat. fancy shirt with fine blue stripe IN
| it and light tan shoes.
The description of Shelts tallies exactly with
! that of VIM Conroy, alias Mcdowell, who killed
| a man during drunken row at Glastonbury sew
| eral years ago. Mcdowell fed across the mount
aims through Nindham county, and was no
| found until about two years later, when he walk
ed into the police headquarters at SJuth Norwalk
! Conn, and gave himself up. He was brought L
/ Bennington and in December, 1892, Judge Ros
sentenced him to % years III states prison He
| was sent from Windsor TO the asylum at Water
! bury. and he escaped from that institution las
| December