The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1905-02-03

surance policy and came back the
next day on his wife's invitation to
talk over arrangements for her moving
her things.
The two spent large part OF the
day Tuesday together but what pasfsl
between them has never been told.
Parting at supper time he agreed to
meet her again at 10 o'clock that eve
ming on Stafford street. Trusting her
implicitly hewent to the trysting place
totally uuprepared for what was to
follow. Accompanied by Leon Perham
Mary Rogers met her husband, greet
ing him with hugs and kisses and all
demonstrations of affection lest he
penetrate the darkness of her purpose.
In the bosom of her dress she carried
a small bottle of chloroform while in
Perham's pocket was a piece Of strong
clothesline which they had cut down
in the Perham backyard as they left
the house.
At Mrs Rogers suggestion they left
the street, crossing few rods Of va
cant field and seated themselves by
low stone wall on the bank of the Wal.
loomsac and only few feet from the
water. Here between the hours of TO-.
30 and ll:30 the gruesome tragedy was
enacted.
After visiting for while Mrs Rog-
ers suggested that they try some tricks
that she knew. Marcus assented and
getting the rope from Perham, Mrs
Rogers tied her husbands hands be-
hind his back. He released himself
easily and she tied him again with the
same result.
She then proposed that Leon tie him
and the victim laughingly assented.
This time it was no joke and Marcus
Rogers, strong man that he was, found
himself unable TO free his hands. Mrs
Rogers told him she would take the
rope of in minute, and, moving
closer, she held his head in her lap
and fondled him. Then in the dark
ness she drew the bottle of chloroform
from her pocket and pouring its con-
tents on her handkerchief she held it
TO his nose with enc hand while with
her other arm she chung closely around
his neck.
At word from her, Perham seized
Rogers by the feet and held him help
less. "What does this mean, Nary"
choked Rogers, sit smells like chloro-
form"
at Is chloroform and you'll soon
find out what it means" replied his
wife.
Rogers never spoke again and after
a minute or two lay limp and lifeless.
Hastily removing the rope they placed
the body face downward in the edge OF
the shallow stream, land, after hiding
the cord and empty bottle, and placing
the hat and previously prepared note
where they were found next day, they
returned to the Perham house and
spent the night together.
Mrs Rogers, Leon Perham and Stel
la Bates were given preliminary
hearing before the late Justice j. T.
Shurtleff who held them without bal
to await the action of the grand jury,
All three were indicted for murder al
the session OF the grand jury in Man
chester in June, 1903. While awaiting
the assembling of the grand jury the
two women we're confne in the house
OF correction at Rutland, and there il
December, 1902, child was born t
Mrs Rogers but the infant did not live
Mrs Rogers was brought to trial q
| the term OF Bennington county cour
that convened in Bennington in Decem
Der, 1908, Judge John II. Watson o
Montpelier presiding. The attorney
for the state were States Attorney ia
cob J. Stakeholder of Arlington an,
Hon o. M. Barber of Bennington
r Mrs Rogers was defended by DAME
A. Guiltinan of Bennington and Franz
G. Archibald of Manchester.
After trial lasting three weeks sh
was convicted of murder in the frs
|, degree and was sentenced by Judg
Watson to be hanged on the first Fri
D day in February, 1905. Leon Perhar
J pleaded guilty to murder and was sen
| fenced to hard labor in the state prisol
3 at Windsor where he Is now confined
Stella Ba es was released, there no
being evidence to warrant trying her.
Mrs Rogers was taken to the stat
prison in January, 1904, and has sine
: been confined there. A strenuous Ell
fort was made to induce the legislator
D at the session last fall to commute he
D sentence to Imprisonment for life bu
a without avail