Semi-weekly Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1897-1901, 1901-07-23


and saw none. 1t can tbus be seer
portant, and it should be c,refully
siftted, with the men on the stano.
t2i Miss Mackay's testimony oi
distinctly hearing the exclanatiou,
"Oh, my God" three separate times
is important; for Cressey tells what
he and Bristol said, after the fsta
shot ard recognition, and declares
that there were no other worus -
Ratified as he says he uss, it is
easy to see how he might not remem
ber them, if there were other wor,is,
aud all the variations il the tasti
mony of the different people who
heard words and sounds show what
freaks human memory and under
standing will play over such sunden
AID exciting events Gut after allow
ing for all this. there is a variance
that makes imperative the duty Of
further Investigation.
f3l The variation pointed out Fri
day in Cressey's statement made t.
Mr. "ellmau and others and that be-
fore tae justice rs - whether oBe or
both wrists were in the grasp OF
Bristol when Cressey was aroused is
of TIE same kind-rot surprising if be
uas misunderstood or If he did rot
kanw cRrtainly in the excitement. but
Sufficient with all the rest to e. force
the reed of further iLqgiry.
a. The direction of the bullet,
with not over an zach variation from
a Straignt lice between the point
where il entereJ end struck the back
bone is hard thing TO explain, as
Rnyore will see who will experiment
in pointing TO another's abdomen.
This fact was tebenently disputed
Friday when the Reforuer reported
the result of the autopsy, but it was
confirmed by the sworn evidence. 1t
is possible that the position of the
two might have been such ira struggle
that the bullet did take such c1uise.
1t could rot if The two were stanuing or
both ling down. Unfortunately tie
stenographer' minutes do not show
ary question closely asked IF Cressey
about the position of the two when the
fatal fourth shot vas fred. 1t dots
show questions and answers with
regard to all the other shots, but not
this one. upon which this most import
aut point of all hinges. Chief Halls
statement mot in court, but to the
Rrformer is that Cressey says he
pas lying on his back when be fired
it and Bristol uas partly over hin.
As be thought, but he WAS not quite |
sure
toJ Then comes the difficulty Of |
how thu struggle could |
bate gone on, without Cressey finding |
before the end that it w6s a man in |
Dight shirt and not dressed burglar |
with whom he was cuntending. Ores |
Sey does say t1at ut one polat, after |
he third shot and before the fourth. |
from the minutes, that |
leg touched him. 1t must
lave been hare leg. then, ard prob
lblv against bare leg, though that
: not stated. and il ought to have
.icen warning of the real state Of Of
airs. The only possible explanation
s that Cressey was to much excited
md frightened To fully ssLss the
act.
tGl 1t is strange indeed, and one of
he innate difficulties of the case, that
{ Bristol vas 10 a nigh tmare, on
vas getting back intn beu half
sleer. after urinatidn, that he should
ot have been aroused by the repeated
istol reports and the shot that went
through bis shoulder. As stated Fri.
ay, the authorities on somrambulism
re- pretty we'll gree thata sharp shock
0 ary of the senses and especially to
SO, will arouse the subject to con.
ciousress. There are exceptions, as
D all other rules, but they are very !
are Still more likely would he :
ave been to come to a realization, if
instead CT beirg 10 somnambulistic !
tate. be was getting back into bed {
nly half asleep 1t is hardly possible
D either case that be should not have
cen aroused to wakefuloess and If
e was il is strange indeed that be
mould have continued the struggle
ntil efter the fatal shot before mBk-
IL himself known. If he did it
Iust have been bec8Uss be was so
Jared and excited as not to reslly
now what be was about. 10 that I
use Cresssy's statements of what his
1pouent was doing must have been
lre imagiGation. as they may uell
ave been in the dark aud the excite.
ent.
"a Cressey's statement Of what
3 thought about his redfellow must
, an Bfter-thouRht The more nat
ral s1pposition, on the tbeor, of &C.
dent, is tnat he never tbought
,out him at ell.
(SI The fact that there were four
ots in all If there had been only a
le. ami that had done the fstsl !
lrk, the theory of accident woul1 "
I've bee easy snd n.tursl That it .;
ptinped through all this sfruvple on .