The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1898-01-14

to Discovery of the Dead Bodies-Tht
Latest Developments.
Worcester, Mass, Jan. 1O.-News OF a
triple murder, of which Francis ID. New
ton, a prosperous farmer, his wife, Sarah
and th@r 1O-year-old adopted daughter,
Ethel, were the victims, reached this city
at an early hour this morning Inc
family had been killed in their house
about two miles from Brooktied Center,
on the road to Sturbrtdge.
The crime was discovered by neigh
hors, who heard the lowing Of the unfed
cattle and nade an investigation. The
three members of the family were found
m their blood-soaked beds, having been
horribly killed with an axe. A hired
man who has been employed by Newton
rs missing, and the authorities are MAX
nag a sharp search for him. He was
was known only by the name of Paul.
Ne was last seen Friday night just be-
sore midnight by neighbor, who was re-
Stunning from a grange meeting. He was
bhen more than mile from the Newton
house and was going in the direction of
Rrooktield. Two young men also saw
him at about the same time, going in the
came direction. The man turned his
head away from them as he passed.
From this it is believed that the muir
der was committed between 10 and IL
o'clock Friday night. Newton was As
wears of age and his wife was three
years younger,
J While Elmer Newcomb was passing
She Newton place Sunday afternoon he
heard the cattle in the barn making an
unusual disturbance. He notified Will
liam Bemis and William Eaton, who live
IN neighboring houses, and these men,
thinking the Newtons had gone away
and had been detained, went to the barn
and fed the cattle, Is, in number, and at
tended to their other wants, the cows
having suffered greatly from not being
Bilked.
While they were thus engaged, 1t was
noticed that no one was about the house,
but still thinking the family were away,
returned to their homes They kept an
eye on the place, however, looking for
Mr.. Newton to return.
AS night approached, and the absent
farmer did not appear, Bemis and some
other neighbors visited the house. deter
mined to make an investigation. A Wig
orous knocking at the back door met
with no response. Then they went
around the house toward the front en-
trance. AS they passed the parlor win
doWs, one of the men noticed that pane
of glass had been broken near the fasten-
ing and the window was slightly raised.
They opened it wider and crawled into
the room. AS soon as their eyes rested
upon the apartment they saw that some
one had thoroughly ransacked the place.
The furnishings were in disorder, and,
as the men passed through the different
Rooms they noticed that drawers had
been opened and their contents thrown
about.
Following their search, the neighbors
entered small bedroom at the rear of
the house. On a blood-stained bed lay
the bodies of Mrs Newton and the little
girl. They were dressed, but their cloth
ing was torn and blood stained.
Their skirts had been thrown over the
upper parts of their bodies, leaving the
limbs exposed. In the abdomen of the
child were several cuts, as if they had
been made with a jackknife. Near the
bed was bloodstained axe, which evil |
IDENTIFY was the weapon used.
The men, fearing to touch the bodies,
did not investigate the cases of the fe- |
male victims further, but hurried on
through the rest of the house Upstairs
IN the chamber usually occupied by Mr..
Newton, which connected with that oc-
eupied by the hired man, Paul Law the
body of the farmer on the bed. All about
were evidences that he had been dealt
with as had the other members of his
family. He also was dressed. The COW
erings of the bed had been drawn about
his head, so as to conceal any wounds
which might be thereon. The bed in
Paul's room had been occupied, but there
was no other trace of the hired man.
AS soon as possible the authorities at
Brookfield were notified of the murder.
Gonstables Farquahar and Fenton were
soon at the house, but they refused to
touch the bodies until the coroner had
viewed them as they lay. The officials
took charge of the premises, pending the
arrival of the examiner, which was de-
laYed, owing to confusion as to who was
entitled to act in the case. DR.. e. w.
Spencer of Norwood, a recently appoint
ed medical examiner. was called, and he
stated that he had not been sworn in so
could not act legally. Word was then
sent to DR.. F. H. Baker of Worcester.
Meanwhile, search for the missing man
Paul was begun. 1t was learned thaton
Friday Mr.. Newton and Paul went TO
Worcester to buy horse, but they re-
turned that evening without one. The
next time Paul was seen was when Mr..
Eaton and the two young men met him
just before midnight Friday night. at
some distance from the Newton farm.
going towards Brookfield. Paul was a
foreigner, but his nationality is net
known. He was about 80 years of age.
short and compactly built and had been
employed on the Newton farm for about
two months. Previous to that time he
was at work at the Point of Pines, near
Revere.
The Newton farm was one of the best
N this section. Mr.. Newton purchased |
t about two years ago and it had heen
improved by its latest own
er. He formerly lived at Hartford.
where he was proprietor Of a bake shop. s
The motive for the crime is not known.
Robbery has been referred to as a proba
,ly cause, but that. II is thought, does
rot account for the slaughter of the {
whole family. Moreover. Mr. Newton's .
yold watch was found in his vest. which I
lung over a chair back in his chamber. {