Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1902-01-10
FROZEN BODY FOUND.

Leon n. Morgan, 25, OF Newport, N.
H., Beaten by a Drunken Lumber
man and Left nconscious--Willet,
His Assailant, Under $25oo Bonds.
The frozen body of Leon II. Morgan
of Newport, N. H., was found Saturday
by the roadside in Unity, the circum-
stances indicating that he had met a
violent death. Will Yuber and j. II.
Willet, wood choppers, are locked up
at Newport on suspicion. Morgan was
about 20 years old and had been en-
ployed as a hOster in a stable at New
port. The wood choppers, who had
been working at Sargent's lumber
camp in Corbin park, Friday night
called at the stable to hire a team for
Lempster, 10 miles distant. They
were refused on account of their in
toXicated condition. but were finally
given a team with Morgan as driver.
On the way the men had a fight and
the horse ran to a neighboring farm
ers barn. The farmer found Morgan's
body on the highway in the morning
Later the woOdchoppers were arrested.
Drs. Stickney and Cain Saturday
night finished their autopsy on the
body of Morgan. The decision was
that Morgan came to his death by ex-
posture as the result of conclusion of
the brain induced by injuries inflicted
on the head William Yuber and
J. II. Willet, arrested on suspicion
of having caused Morgans death. were
arraigned before Judge CRANKY at New
port Monday on a charge of man
slaughter. Both the defendants plead
ed not guilty and were held in $500
each to wait the result of the coroner's
inquest. In default of bail both were
! taken to Jail.
The coroners jury, after being in SEES
sion all day Monday, decided that the
| victim met his death as a result of
! being beaten and bruised by j. II.
! Willet, death being due to exposure as
a result. Willet was then held in
| $500 for the May term OF the superior
court. and in default of bail was sent
to Jail
Fifteen witnesses testified the prin-
ciple one being William Yuber, who
was a companion of Willet and Nor
| gan on the fatal night, and who was
| subsequently arrested with Willet
Yuber testified that all three men
started for Newport on Friday even
ing, and that they were somewhat in
toXicated. On the way Willet and
Morgan became involved in a dispute
Yuber says. as to who should drive
All three were out in the road when
Yuber said he was knocked back into
the sleigh and that the horses started
at the same time. He managed tC
turn the horse into the yard OF Frank
Walker, and with Mr.. Walker subse
! Quently went back to where he
thought he left Morgan and Willet, but
he was unable to find them. He hearC
of Morgan's body being found mex
morning and made no attempt to es
cape from arrest.
\ number of other witnesses testi
fed to seeing the men start from New
port, and of passing two men quarrel
ing on the road. \ roommate of vii
let's said that the latter came HON,
early in the morniI and said that h,
had been on a sleigh ride, but had haC
a scrap and WAS forced to wall
Hume. The next day, witness testi
fed, Willet said he expected 10 b,
arrested. At the close of the hearin.
the court besides lolding Willet de
tanned Yuber as a witness in 500
bonds, which the latter was unable t
furnish, and he also went to Jail.