Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-07-16
NEWS OF VERMONT
More Important Events Grouped for
Free Press Readcrs--An Interesting
nit of vermont History.

hit of vermont History.
stephen w. Niles Il well known resi-
dent of salisbury was So years of age
Sunday. The old gentleman is in good
health. takes the entire supervision of
n farm of 100 acres and does consid
cradle work on 1t. Mr.. Niles is. per-
haps, the last survivor of the militia
that was called on to do duty at the
time that Archibald NJ. Bates was hung
at Bennington Centre in February 1899,
and which was the last public execu
ton in Vermont. He then belonged to
a company of light infantry in Shafts
bury of which Dennis George was cap
tain, and the late James Boardman was
second lieutenant. Mr. Niles held the
office of first corporal Ills home at
that time was but short distance be-
low the house in which Mrs. ia ties the
murdered woman resided He heard the
shot fired, and was the first one to
reach the Bates house after the muir
der With Wales Munroc and Dyer
Squres they followed the murderer to
the residence of Sylvanus Bates, where
they found him and capturing him,
held him until the arrival of the Off
GERS. Bates shot his brothers wife as
she sat in her room holding an infant
in her arms. Mr.. Niles was one of the
guard that escorted Bates from the Jail
to the scaffold. Bates was seated on
his coffin but did not exchange a word
with one of his old neighbors while the
march was being made. His company
was drawn up at the right of the scat
fold, he standing not more than four
feet from Bates while the black cap
was adjusted, and other preparations
made. Bates indicated in no way
that he knew a person in the immense
90 4 hat 10 Ia,
IMPRISONED FOR ASSAULT.
Windsor county court re-assemblcd
Tuesday morning and the case of state
vs.. George o. Vaughan was taken up
and n jury cmpanellcd. The respondent
was charged with committing an as
sault upon, with intent to kill and
murder, George w. Laduc. The latter
was working for Trial Dutton of
Woodstock, about Il mile south of the
village. one early morning in March
last while has was in the barn milking
respondent came in with a Winchester
rifle and aimed at Ladue, who grasped
the barrel and the weapon was discharg
ed. Ladue was not hit and pleaded
for his life. There upon Vaughan said
he. Ladue, must get right out. He
went to Mr.. Dutton got what pay was
coming to him and left Immediately.
Jealousy as the cause of the assault.
II seemed that respondent was struck
on Jesse Iynde. the hired girl at Dut-
toms and had an idea that Laduc was
trying to win the girls affection. The
night before the assault, respondent
went to Burditt's lumber camp in Shrews-
bury to get his gun for use on the occa-
sion in question. Tuesday after court
the jury was taken to view the scene
of the alleged assault. Wednesday morn
ing the State rested its case and respon-
dents counsel asked for an opportunity
for consultation with their client. A lit
tie later they began negotiations as to
the acceptance by the prosecution of n
plea Of guilty of common assault. The
States attorney, after consulting with
the court, notified the respondents Coun-
sci that such a plea would not he accept
cd. Thereupon the jury was discharged
and the respondent in answer to the
question of the clerk pleaded guilty of
simple assault. The States attorney NOV
ed for sentence. The court sentenced
Vaughan 10 imprisonment in the House
/ of Correction for the term of not less
than two years nor more than two and a
half years.
VERMONT BOY STANDS HIGH.
Dewitt C. Webb. who not long since
secured "A position in the navy yard at
Philadelphia as a civil engineer, passed so
creditahlo an examination on his first
trial that he was advised by members
of the examining board to submit to the
test qualifying applicants for n higher
position in the engineering service of the
navy department. He did so recently
Mt New York, the examinations which
lasted two weeks, being very critical and
covering the whole range Of modern
civil engineering. Mr.. Webb scored the
highest mark of any candidate and has
received notice of his appointment to n
very lucrative post, which also gives
him rank as n commissioned officer In
the navy. He does not yet know where
he will be stationed, but will go wherever
he is sent, as the government service re-
| quires. Mr.. Webb is the son of Lucius
Webb Of Randolph and East Granville
| Is a graduate from the engineering course
| in Norwich University and has steadily
applied himself to his chosen vocation
with the result that generally follows.
ANOTHER HORSE STOLEN
Deputy Sheriff John Nash of Bennng.
ton received a telephone message from
the chief of police in Waterford Satur.
day stating that a horse and rig were
stolen the night before from barn neal
by. a description Of the rig was given
Suspicious were directed to man that
had been seen around there "A couple OF
days From the description given of hin
Nash recognized Charles Rufus Young
who has but recently been discharged
from the State prison after serving a sen.
tence Of ten years for stealing a horse IL
Arlington. Since his discharge Bennington
| officers have been notified of four hors.
stealings where they have not had one
for several years. Bennington and Rut
land county officers have been huntinl
for him for two weeks. it being claimed
that he stole horse and carriage in Rut
land some two weeks ago.
ROBBERY IN PLAINFIELD.
The money drawer of Arch Batchelder'!
mill in Plalnneld was relieved of $40 while
Nelson Morse was at supper on Thurs
day. The drawer had been removed b,
means of a chisel and set on n meal bag
"A roll of bills and quantity of silver wer,
untouched but two $50 bills had boo,
taken. Entrance was gained through ;
trap door in the floor The arrival o
several customers may have frightene,
the thief away.
BARRE WANTS A NEW FEDERAL
BUILDING.
The city council has appointed a citi
zen's committee of seven TO work for
fedral building for Barre. The postof
hce Is now located in the city hall an
the city may refuse to renew the leas
next June. Mayor Jackson thinks wha
Barre has done for the State entities he
to recognition at Washington.
ONE MAN BEAT oilers.
Charles Mack, third selectman of tn
town of Mortified, while at work o
Dan McCartys new house on the Fourt
was assaied by several stone cutters
| liUIlnT