Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-03-20
A. W. Coote Head of st. Adams
Fire Department Badly Wound
ed with Knife and Club.
HIS ASSAILANTS AT LARGE
Onacere Have no Clue and Have Offered
$500 Reward-Note BOOK in Vest
Pocket Stopped = Fatal Stab
Mrs. M. J. Powers Suspected
Was Arrested Later.

assault was committed upon Chef
A. w. Coote of the st. Adams Fire
Department, when near his home on Bank
street and on his way to his duties at the
postofiice, Just before five o'clock Satur-
day morning. He was waylaid, pounded,
slasbed with a knife and knocked iuscn-
sible with club or sand bag, by per-
sons whom he was unable to recognize
and who have not yet been appreho med,
tpote's life was without doubt saved by
a vest pocket note book which stopped the
force of n vicious knife thrust after b~ins
driven through "A heavy REFER coat III
which was left an ugly cash about three
inches long.
Mr. Coote was in considerable pain yes
terday, and sopIe fears are entertained of
brain fever, one of the blows having been
received near the base OF the brain. Unless
some complications set in his complete re-
coVery is looked for.
Mr.. Coote left his home as usual shortly
before five o'clock and had proceeded but
Il short distance down the street when II
person leaped upon him from the tail ana
dense hedge and struck him a vicious blow
on the head. which almost fellcd him TO
the ground. Cootc recovered from the sur
prising attack and tackling his assailant
who was now sashing wildly at him with
a. knife. knocked him down and fell up II
him, lighting fercely for his life. lie was
rapidly besting his man when he received
"A terrific blow on the back of the head
from a second assailant. which completely
Knocked him out. When Mr.. Coote CANE
to his senses about - minutes after his
;assailants had disappeared, he staggered
back to the house, where he was put
10 bed, the sheriff $ office notified and a
physician called.
Besides having his face and hands cut
with the knife. he received three severe
blows on the head besides several body
blows
6n1
of the crime and an active search Tor
clues and culprits was started i'm
inediately Officers of all surroundings
towns were advised of the crime, all ira ms
We're watched and the best description
possible of the Culprits scattered broad
cast Two trampS who left town on an
early north bound freight train were he II
at st. Johns, while stranger whom 1t was
thought answered one of the meagre de-
scriptions furnished was stopped at Essex
junction. These parties. however, proved
their innocence and We're allowed to pro-
coed.
owing to the fact that Mrs. NJ. j. Pow
ers who is supposed TO be n dangerous
lunatic, and who has achieved an unen-
Niable reputation by her violent outbreaks,
actions and attacks on people and who
now stands indicted by the nlted States
courts for misusing the mails. had threat
ened Mr.. Coote with violence on several
occasions, the last time being on Thurs
day when she went to the postoftice and
told one of the clerks that she had written
The department at WASHINGTON. prelerIil z
charges against Coote, ASKING for his re
uovnl and remarked that If the govern
1n.nt didn't remove him that she would
do it in her own way" il was decided to
look Mrs. Powers up.
Deputy Shcriffs Iadd and Alfred went
to her house on England street AS tn. Y
upproached the front door il was sud
denly locked and they hustled around
TO tbe hack door and got i'm lust
40 q woman who said she was Mr.. pow
erss sister. was irving to lock that door
Asking for Mrs. Power ,ncy were told
mat She had been out of town for two
davs and would be bacl; Sunday night
Tho house was seoched however the tirst
lime with no results but as the officer,
wore leaving a elsui,ious noise was heard
from Nm stairs and another search re-
yealed Mrs. Powers huddled away under
tho caves in q dark nart of the attic and
in a vary scantv attire
Sho c,,,na down win tho officers dressed
and talked with thon for some time Sh,
Yrofessed and apnearod ia know nothing OF
Inc crime and said she hid bcca,lse she al.
v-avs did so whoncvor she saw officers
cornins nor wav In th. cnursn Of her IAN
She n.nressod A desire ia mound sian OF
borseu,hi,, several nersons among whom
was Coote