News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1905-04-05
TRAGEDY AT GILMORE !
RIvah Pllbin Shot at East EImore Last
Saturday Morning
Some Question as to Suicide Theory


the scene of much excitement since
last Saturday morning, caused by
the supposed suicide of Alvah Pilbin,
son of Thomas Pllbin of that place,
the tragedy having taken place at
about 1890 in the morling at the
home of James Dobson, by whom
Pllbin, who was % years old, had
been employed for some time.
The stories concerning the shooting
and events leading up TO the tragedy
are so many and varied that it is ex
Femely difficult to arrive at any def.
nlte conclusion in regard to the de
tais OF the affair, but the following
version is as near the correct facts as
this paper has been able to ascertain:
The young man met death by a
bullet from a 80 calIbre revolver,
the bullet entering the right temple,
causing instant death. The story as
told by the Dobson's tue morning
oIlowing is to the effect that the
amiIy had all been sitting up later
man usual and that all started to re-
tire about II O'Clock. That Pilbin
look lamp in one hand and a revol-
YER in the other and after bidding che
hmily good bye went to his room.
That soon after, they heard the re-
port OF the revolver and Dobson and
bis 17.year-old daughter rushed to
the room and found Plbin lying
deld, lengthwise OF the bed, with the
revolver lying on the left side of the
body. As soon as possible the family
notified the Selectmen and Justice OF
the Peace, B. F. Morse ana early Sat
urday morning the Selectmen and
Dr.. A. J. Valleau of Wolcott made an
Investigation and pronounced it a
case OF suicide.
Among the stories told by the
neghbors is one to the effect that
Dobson and Pilbin had had trouble
tie day before the shooting and that
both had been drinking. 1t is
also reported that Pibin had
been paying attentions to The II
year old daughter of Dobson and
that the latter had objected.
". G. Pilbin, who resides near the
DJuson place, says that the last time
hesaw bis brother was at 8 O'Clock
onthe evening preceding his death.
Alyah came down to his house and be
walk id back up to Dobson's with him
for be purpose of getting a pick
which Dobson had borrowed. lie did
not think his brother had been drink
ing bu+ did not see DObson as he was
not at home. at that time. At about
1890 he was awoke by a neighbOr,
who told him that Alvah had shot
himself
A further investigation into the
matter was made early in the tore
noon of Saturday by Health Officer,
F. L. Slayton and the Selectmen and
as it was thought that circumstances
warranted further action, States At
torney Bcknell Of Johnson was notI-
fed and the burial, which had been
arranged for Monday-the body hay-
been turned over to the family Satur-
day morning and removed to the
hone of the father-was postponed
until Tul lsday. i,
Monday States Attorney Blcknell
aud Sheriff Stevens, acccmoanled by
Drs. Prentiss of Johnson, Va!leau OF
WoIcott and Rublee of MorrlsVille
went to the scene of the tragedy ana
made a thorough Investigation. An
autopsy was held. There is a strong
sentiment in the vicinity OF the
tragedy In favor of the idea OF foul
plaV and the fact that the result OF
the investigation Monday Is kept
from the public has a tendency to
strengthen that theory. up 10 the
present time no arrests nave oeen
made.
It's claimed that the circumstances
which aroused the suspicious OF the
authorities were the position OF the
body and the absence OF a sum OF
about $50.
Itis stated that when the body of
Pilbin was found it was lying on the
bed, face up. The arms were iolded
and the legs crossed, while the re-
volver was on the opposite SIDE rom
the wound in the head. Regarding
the $50, which it is alleged Pllbln had
in his possession Friday afternoon,
members of the Dobson family say,
it is alleged, that before he went up,
stairs with his revolver, he burned
the money in the kitchen stove,
The deceased is survived oy a
father and mother and several broth,
ers and sisters, besides widow and
two children, who resides in Fairfield.
He had not lived with his wife Tor
some time. The funeral was held
Tuesday forenoon at Hardwood tiat
school house, Rev. V. NJ. Wright OF Eli
more officiating. Burial took place
at EImore Pond.
John Rushford, who resides on the
farm formerly owned by Charles
Wilder west of this village owns four
COWS and as John believes that quail
ity In a dairy counts.for much more
than quantity, the COWS are all good
ones and receive proper care and feed.
He carries the milk to the Jersey
Heights Creamery and for the month
of February his check was $50 and
one of the cows was sick a part of the
time and the milk was not used. His
roI