Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1900-06-15
COLD.BLOODED
and Dastardly Crime !
An old man of rs almost
stoned to death.
ROBBERY THE MOTIVE.
ASSAILANT ARRESTED.
ROBBERY THE MOTIVE

Last Saturday morning few miles
west of here a daStardly and brutal at
tempt to murder an old man of - years
was made 10y a mild, inoifensive looking
hoy of Il. The victim of the assault,
Ferdinand Blanchette, passed through
this place from Quebec last week TO
visi; his son a. Berlin, y. ii. lie walked
from the latter place arriving at Island
Pond Friday night, carrying his posses
Sions in meal bag. lie stopped over
night al the heme of lemuel Chase and
was so exhausted that while sitting on
the door step he fell. Saturday morning
he resumed his journey to Quebec,
walking on the track. When near the
summit. between 10 and IL, he laid
| down ON the bank to rest. but was
disturbed 10y blow on the head from an
immense stone followed by other stones
and then he relapsed into insensibility.
About this time heavy train of cars
was being assisted up the grade by the
shuntiug engine, which the aSsailant
perceiving he at once decamped, foilcd
in his scheme to rob his victim, who
only had 30 cents in his possession.
The crew of the shunter saw the man
lying on the bank. and concluded some
thing was wrong. After reaching the
Summit the shunter returned to the
place where the old man was and the
men proceeded to investigate. Here a
horrible sight met their gaze. The old
mans head had been pounded almost to
Il Jelly and around him were several
large stones, some weighing 20 pounds
or Whereabouts, which had been hurled
at him. as could toe seen by the telltale
evidence OF blood and hair adhering to
them. The man was placed on the
Flies where his wounds were dressed,
and thence taken to the home of Mr..
Louis Paycur. where he will have the
best of care and attention. After his
wounds were dressed he stated that he
had been assaulted in the manner de-
tailed and gave description of his as
salant Armed with this Capt. Ran
dali. Col. Dale. j. :. Sweeney, Claire
Anderson and John Traverse started to
hunt down the would he assassin. The
last named four went on the "pumper"
(hand carr, loaned for the occasion by
the railroad officials. to Lake station,
while Capt. Randall went on the express
to Norton. At Norton he made en-
quiries but finding no trace of the fellow
he was after he proceeded on foot to
Lake to meet the others. They had
gained sufficient information as to sat
isiy them that he of whom they We're in
search could not he many miles away.
All proceeded to Norton and thence into
Canada still pursuing their enquiries.
Resting for a moment and discussing
what course to adopt they planned to
search a piece Of woods near by and pro-
ceeding i'll that direction they We're con-
siderahly astonished and surprised to
see the boy himself emerging therefrom,
walking towards them. Gle subse-
quently stated that seeing them coming
that way he came out rather than be
discovered hiding.) Mr. Randall en-
gagged him in conversation to whom he
stated that he was looking for work and
had left Island Pond that morning. Mr..
Randall limited that he might get work
in some of the lumber camps near by
and suggested that he walk back and
try. The ruSe was successful and all
walked together into Vermont when the
boy was placed under arrest, He was
Ut oilCt bloHSHt " lSllHi oili vi lIlt
pumper, taking his share at the pump.
Here he was subjected to a close and
searching examination, during which he
told an highly improbable story, in sub
stance that the old man had attempted
to assault him, and that what he had
done was in self-defence, which the Off
GERS did not believe and told him so.
He finally owned up and related how he
had attacked the old man, while the lat
ter was sleeping, and that his motive
was robbery, claiming also that he was
irresponsible and unable to control his
actions. He further stated that when
he left the scene he thought the old
man was dead. He gave his name as
Edward McCabe from Montreal. Later
in the evening he had hearing before
Justice Parsons, and was held in the
sum of $4,000 to await the action of the
grand jury in September next. He was
taken to G"ildhall jail Monday after
noon.
Sunday afternoon Mr. Blanchette's
condition was quite serious and it was
deemed advisable to take his statement
Of the affair. The prisoner was taken
to the house and the victim promptly
identified his assailant in the presence
of several witnesses. Mr.. Payeur acted
as interpreter. Col. Dale asked the boy