Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-09-18
TRAGEDY IN CHELSEA.
AIpheus Hood Attempts TO Shoot His
Wife and, Failing, Kills Himself.

Wife and, Failing, Kills Himself.
Much excitement was created in the
western part OF the town Sunday by the
death OF Alpheus Hood who killed him
self by shooting in the home Of his former
wife on the Randolph road, about three
miles from this village.
Mr.. Hood, who was 81 years old the 9th
day OF last August, was married to Emma
Hood is years ago next month, when she
was but 10 years OF age. Hood was a Wild
over, his first wife being Emily Osborne,
by whom he had seven children. His
early life and, in fact most OF his life, was
spent in the neighborhood where theitrag-
edy OF Sunday occurred. Mr.. Hood was
always regarded by his neighbors as a
good man to hire By the day or month.
AT the last December term OF Orange
County court, Mrs. Hood obtained a d.
vorce from her husband on the ground OF
intolerable severity. They had not been
living happily together for some time.
Mrs. Hood was given the custody Of their
six children and the use Of the small place
on which they lived.
After this, Hood went away for a time
but returned to this vicinity last spring
and went to work for Ezra Dickerman,
who lives in Randolph near the Chelsea
line. He occasionally went to his former
home, and the meetings between the man
and woman were not always pleasant. II
Is reported that be had several times
threatened her life unless she would live
with him again, which she refused 10 do,
and asked him to keep away from the
premises and leave her alone.
Emma Hood stated TO HERALD repre-
sentative that she believed Mr.. Hood in
sane and that be had been for some time,
and that she had asked the authorities TO
take care OF him, as she feared for her life
and the lives Of the children.
Last Sunday morning about ten o'clock,
Hood went TO the house. The family were
all present except the oldest boy, aged
about II, who was working away. The
aged mother OF Mrs. Hood lives with her.
Mr.. and Mrs. Hood were soon in row,
as usual, one thing leading to another,
when be drew a revolver and declared ne
would end her then and there. The wom-
an sprang for the weapon and, grasping u,
turned il away from her. She said she
knew she was fighting with maniac and
. for her life.
once She appealed to the man, "Let me
90. for the children's sake y He said, 81
won't ] shall kill you now, you can't get
away
The oldest girl, aged 10, came to the as
sistance Of her mother. In the scufle, the
revolver was ANfNMA 0ptA hAt1 AAtN = go
der dropped to the floor.
TIE woman cried TO the children 10 run
TO the ucighbors for help. One Of them
/ gave the false alarm that someone was ln
I Inc road near the house. This caused the
man 10 relax bis hold for moment, when
mother and daughter succeeded in getting
away and out Of doors, when they ran 70
/ the neighhors.
Mr.. Hood. a. she left the house, saw the
man replacing the cylinder M ms reNolFeI'
4 No one was an eye witness TO what follow
ed, as lac was alone in the house, put y y
1 supposed that he rushed up the STAIRS
which come into q small entry near whlch
I the struggle had occurred, 70 NlhuoM
overlooking the road,up which the woman
was fleeing. and fired one shot at he5
through the window as she disappeared
4 from view. bat without effect. Placlhg
/ the weapon back OF his ear, he flred 10 emo
I his own life. This bullet probably cut an
artery and came TO the surface above the
eve. This alone was fatal wound put
I second shot quickly followed thus enly ,I
I ing the head about one ana one nhli ny ~
es above the other, which penstrs'eu 'ne
/ brain and at once produced death, .s
one Of the small boys heard the shots
and said there was one report, theh wv, wv
nearly together. The mother OF MIs
Hood who left the house at the beginhihe
~ Inc row, heard the three shots, bu'
could not tell how near they were togeth-
/ er. Mrs. Hood heard no firing wheh sh'
was running up the road. A.
Thirty minutes after the shots were hree
neigh bors rad arrived and found the mar
dead In his own blood in that chamber 81,
/ the revolver lying beside him Win lhre'
| chambers empty. ,.a Soiac,.
men Powers and Emery, DR.. Co.'s ah l
LAWYER STOW went to the scene OF tn'
I tragedy. No further examination VA
/ deemed necessary, as they were satlsis'
death was caused by his own hand. -.
W. Wrs Hood had several severe bruises OF
her head and face. and the girl, Cara, wh'
assisted her, received a blow that prV ~
the skin ON her ear, also marks OF IN
mans teeth we're to be seen on her manu-,
The funeral was held Tuesday alter i1.,l
-. az bonse where the deed was done
The dead man had several brothers ah'
one sister. none Of whom reside mere