Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1898-02-12
INTERESTING CASE IN WINDSOR COUNTY
COURT.

William Lawrence on Trial for Firing at Hon.
TO. Seaver Of Woodstock August u, with
Iutent to XIII and Murder.
The case Of State versus William W.
Lawrence was called up in Windsor county
court Thursday morning of last week, and
the following jury impaneled:
Ira A. Belknap, Cavendish, farmer.
Frank E. Stoodely, Weston, mechanic.
Romaine K. Taylor, Weston, jobber.
Calvin P. Eldred, Andover, farmer.
Henry L. Perkins, Rochester, farmer. -
Sylvester Bowen, Bethel, farmer.
John Sabin, Andover, farmer.
W. n. Carpenter, Plymouth, farmer.
MIC. Whitcomb, Springfield, ,pattern-maker.
S. Albert Stickney, Weathersfeld, farmer.
F. H. Bates, Springfield, farmer.
Fred E. Wilson, Chester, farmer.
Judge T. O. Seaver testified that on
Sunday morning, August 22, as he was
sitting reading in his parlor, his wife an
nounced that Mr.. Lawrence wanted to see
him, and he said, ''Show Mr.. Lawrence
in" Lawrence entered and showed
paper to the Judge. After reading it over
he handed it back to Lawrence, who said:
81 have come to get my child lis she hereP"
He said, "Yes.n Lawrence said, 81 have
come to get her." Judge Seaver replied,
"You should see her guardian about it."
Lawrence responded, Il have seen En-
right, and he don't know nothing about it"
| This was said in loud voice, and at this
| time the judge was troubled with difficulty
in breathing, brought on by the excitement,
and he stepped out into the hall to emove
his coat to get relief. He returned to
the door of the room, and, pointing to the
| outside door, said to Lawrence, 60" I'm
mediattly Lawrence got up, came out into
the hall, and passed through the screen
door out of the house. He went on down
the steps, Judge Seaver following him out
.ot the house. Lawrence turned around and
began to talk, and the judge pointed to his
team. and saw Lawrence tumbling in his
breast. He then produced revolver and
said. .''If you lay fnger on me will put
bullet through your heart!" and immediat >
ly fired. The bullet entered the judges
breast, and Lawrence Immediately fired
again, but the shot di not hit Seaver.
! The respondent himself took the stand
and gave a history of himself in brief. He
is AZ next May, and moved to Woodstock
in 1898 He told about the guardianship
proceedings, and how he went to Judge
Seaver to know if the guardian had filed a
bond, but got no satisfaction, and was told
it was none of his business. Then alter the
divorce suit was heard and dismissed and
the injunction dissolved, he supposed he
had right to the custody of his child This
Injunction had been obtained by the guar
dian, restraining Lawrence from interter-
ing with the child. When it was dissolved
he went to the place where the child was,
and learned she had gone to Judge Seavers
house. Thither he went, and his story was
about as stated by Judge Seayer. When
the latter llowed him out, Lawrence was
fearful the Judge intended to subject him
to great bodily harm. He said to the
Judge, who was following him close, sit
you come another stepI will shoot you; il
you come down that step | will shoot
you!" and he drew and pointed his revolver.
Seaver did come, and Lawrence fired Alter
the first shot the judge continued to ap-
proach, and Lawrence fired the second
shot. He had slept very little and eaten
little, on account of his domestic trouble.
and was very weak. Hence he feared an
attack from Seaver, and, to avert it, fired.
The balance OF the testimony in defence
consisted of showing reports made to the
respondent of the fighting qualities o.
Judge Seaver, and the weak physical con.
dition of the respondent
The ate's attorney is James G Harvey,
while Frank Plumley of Northfeld is .coun.
sci for the defense. The case was giver
to the jury Thur sday afternoon, aud yer
dict was returned yesterday noon Of assault
with intent to MURDER -