The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-03-01
Doherty Arralgned.

lusb week lnursuay morning In tne Olu
school-house hall at Waterbury before
Justice j. A. Burleigh. States Attor
ney Hoar appeared for the State and E
III. Deavitt for the respondent. Doherty
was taken to Waterbury on the 1915 train
by Sheriff Graves. He was haudcuffed to
the officer and carried his right arm in q
sling, having not yet recovered from the
effects OF a dislocated shoulder the night of
his arrest.
An immense crowd met the train at
Waterbury station and on arriving at the
hall dramatic scene was enacted. Ran
dali Blodgett, character who works for
George w. Randall as foreman at his mill
attempted to rescue Doherty from the GUS
tody of the sheriff. Blodgett had loaded
Winchester rifle which he fourished omi-
nously, and he was urged on by the crowd.
One minute more and Mr.. Blodgett would
have been a corpse. Sheriff Graves was in
no mood for such actions and drew re-
volver ready to drop Blodgett who was
finally disarmed and arrested by Deputy
Sheriff Irwin Cooley.
States Attorney Hoar was accompanied
by Miss Matte Price, his stenographer.
Mr.. Deavitt, counsel for the defence stated
that the respondent WAS willing to waive
an examination and be bound over without
any preliminary examination. Mr.. Hosr
insisted that he had the right to examine
witnesses for the State, and that the court
must have some evidence before 1t on which
10 pTOCbbus Inc court Tulbu LDaJ III was
proper to take evidence. Mr. Deavitt took
exceptions to the ruling.
w. @. Sullivan OF Boston was the first
witness Mr.. Sullivan Is foreman for Con-
tractor Ward in the construction OF the
Bolton Falls dam. He testified that Doher-
ty worked under him as did Fred Murphy,
the victim OF the shooting affray. Doherty
and Murphy both worked the day OF the
shooting. Both quit work when the whistle
blew at a quarter past five. The witness
testified that after the shooting Doherty
told him that he had shot Murphy and was
going to kill himself, wanted witness to
look after his personal effects and money.
Doherty told witness that Murphy was GO
ing to lick him and that he had to protect
himself. Doherty wanted witness to send
his effects to Salmon Falls, n. H. On
Wednesday or Thursday night prior TO the
shooting Doherty told witness that Murphy
was in "a room occupied by young lady al
Pixley's, that he was going to tie a rope to
the door knob, and then call Mr.. Pixley's
attention to the state OF affairs.
On being given an opportunity to cross
examine the witness Mr.. Deavitt again
objected to the manner Of proceeding and
refused to ask any questions.
Mr.. Hoar asked that the witness Sullivan
enter into recognizance in the sum of $500
for his appearance at the next tsrm OF
Washington County court and from term to
term thereafter until this case is disposed
of. Mr.. Sullivan so entered in his person al
recognizanc9.
"Con" Daley was the next witness. He
testified that he is acquainted with Charles
Doherty and Fred Murphy. At Pixley's
boarding house the witness had to pass
through DOherty's room to reach his room
Last Thursday night Doherty told him he
was going TO Waterbury Friday night, that
he had to protect himself would not swear
that he said he was going to purchase d
aH Mr. ivIa
story. Witness quit work Monday morn.
ing, was going away but was stopped at the
train by Sheriff Graves. Doherty told wit
ness Thursday night there would be hot
time in the old town Saturday night, that
he was going to fix Murphy. Murphy had
told him that he could lick him, but that
he would draw the first blood. Witness
was present when the shooting occurred
Saturday evening. He described the loca.
ion of the house and barn, and the pos.
ition of Doherty and Murphy when the shot
was fired. Doherty was standing close to
l am shot!" Saw the hole in the left side
Of Murphy's body. He bled very little.
Told Doherty he ought to have had more
sense than to have shot Murphy. Doherty
asked HIM if Murphy was badly hurt. Told
witness that he was going down to the dam
to fix Woodward. Alter the shooting
Doherty asked the boss for 500 aud got it.
He went to his room. changed his clothes
and went away.
Daley also recognized in the sum of $500
for his appearance in County court when
wanted.
James McCale of Burlington was the
next witness. He had worked on the dam
since last December. Talked with Doherty
Saturday morning. Doherty said he was
going to settle with Murphy and Woodward
that evening when they got back to Pix
ley's. Doherty called Woodward vile
names. Witness also described the shoot.
ing Ehs Last wi,ns.. 1o.snn Mo1n,. =, :,
fled that he had seen the handle Of a revol.
yer in Doherty's pocket Doherty told him
that there would be blood spilled that
night. This witness was also put under
$500 bonds for his appearance at county
court when wanted Tue court a this point
adjourned for dinner. Ga Resembling at
half past one, States Attorney Hoar asked
for continuance until Thursday, March g.
to await the result OF Murphy's Injuries,
which was granted. Doherty was remand.
ed, without bail, to the custody OF Sheriff
Graves.
Doherty remained quietly in the Office of
the waterbury Hotel Thursday afternoon
in charge of Deputy Sheriff Cooley. His
transfer from the hotel TO Jail was accom-.
plishs1 without Incident.
Papers were made out Thursday after.
noon by States Attorney Hosr charging
Randall Blodgett with impeding an officer,
to which severe penalty is attached
Possibly BlOdgetts action at the hearing
Thursday morning was intended as joke
but Sheriff Graves proposes to make an ex-
ample of that kind of joking. Blodgett has
not been seen since he vanished from the
court room Thursday morning, but his cap.
ture Is regarded as certain.
Fred Murphy, the victim OF the shooting
affair was reported comfortable Friday.
States Attorney Hoar and Miss Matte Price
his stenographer went Thursday afternoon TO
the home of j. E. Pixley to take Mr.. MUIR
phys version Of the affair, but he was I'M
able to talk, because of extreme weakness,
and no testimony was taken.
The riotous act OF Randall Blodgett, and
his narrow escape from instant death from
bullet from Sheriff Graves revolver were
sensational enough in character without the
added element OF exaggeration. The "at
tempted lyncbing" set out in scare head
lines by an up town contemporary, existed
only in the imagination OF frightened cor
respondent. query naturally arises as to
how Blodgstt could, as stated, carry coil
OF rope in one hand and handle IA Winches-
ter rifle with the other Blodgett did have