The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1903-05-14
ABOUT VERMONT.

Academy, Saxton's River, in 1895,
and was graduated from Brown Uni
versity, Providence, r. l., in 1900, re-
ceiving the degree of A. b. He is at
! present a member of the graduating
| class of the Newton Theological
School at Newton Center, Mass. He
expects to begin his duties as pastor
the last of August.
The dedication of the new Catholic
| church in Bethel, which is nearing
completion, is expected to occur in
June. Visitors greatly admire the fine
decorative work recently finished on
the interior. The design of the in
terror is of Roman style architecture
and the decorations correspond
throughout. The pillars and arches
are treated in yellow olive and deli
cate tints, set off by elaborate bronze
stripings. However, the eye is at once
attracted to the ceiling and upper por-
tions of the walls, which are beauti-
fed by emblems of the Roman church.
some fourteen in all and forming a
wide border; about the ceiling are
panels conferred by the design of
cross and rays.
The granting of divorce to Mrs.
Michael Prunier in Chittenden county
ends sensational and dramatic case
that is the Sequel of five years litiga-
tion which includes contest for
81, 800, 900 esGate, verdict of S15, 900
for alienation of affections, prosecu-
tion of Mr.. Prunier for kidnapping
his own son, and police search for
conspirators. Prunier was a Green
Mountain boy, who studied medicine
until his hearing failed and he had
to accept employment as nurse. By
the accident of circumstances he was
engaged to nurse W. @. Campbell,
the wealthy wall paper manufactur 9r.
Mrs. Lillian Ash had already in
stalled herself as Campbell's house
keeper and protector. When Camp
bell died he left her his estate of ST.,
500, 900 saving a legacy of $75, 900 to
his daughter, Mrs. Estelle S. Saloman.
Some of the testimony in the will
contest which followed prompted Mrs.
Prunier, who had remained in Bur-
lington while her husband was nurs-
ing away from home, to sue Mrs. Ash
for $75,0 900 for alternating Prunier's
affections. She got s15, 600 verdict.
Then followed an attempt to kidnap
her infant son for which Prunier was
arrested. Shortly after Mrs. Prunier
was barely saved from death by poison,
and evidence of plot involving many
conspirators was discovered. Prunier
has been and remains in Mrs. Ash
Campbell S service as private secretary
and manager of her extensive business
interests. His family has lived in
straite ned circum stances in Burling-
ton until the $15, 900 verdict was re-
ceived.
A stranger came into Bennington
on Thursday and a little later was
arrested for drunkenness and put in
the Jail there. In the morning when
the jailor went to his cell he found
the man dead. he having expired some
time during the night. At the Jail he
gave the name of John Powers but no
residence. The authorities have no
further clue to his identity and the
body will be buried by the town au-
thorities. 1t is thought by some who
have seen the body that Powers was
weaver that was employed in the
mills here several wears ago.
The autopsy performed on Wednes-
day on the body of Fred W. West,
small stream three miles north of
Peru, disclosed the fact that the I'M
fortunate man, who disappeared from
his lonely home last September, had
undoubtedly been murdered. The body
of Vests dog, which had been his
only company, was also found in the
stream about eighty rods below that
of his master, with his neck broken.
Both bodies were found by fisher
man about two miles below the house
where West lived. y thorough in
vestigation will be made, but as yet
the authorities have no clews on
which to work.
W. II. Burbank of Woodstock, aged
sixty-five years, died on Saturday
morning. He was found unconscious
in his stable Thursday, having been
struck, it is supposed, by his stallion
Ralph Nelson. The horse had been
bridled and was standing close beside
his master. Mr.. Burbank's skull
was crushed at the base of the brain.
The question of the consolidation
of the two Masonic lodges in Bellows
Falls will be taken up by both lodges
for final consideration this month,
and the Grand Lodge of the State at
the annual communication in June
will take action in the matter.