Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-08-11
nfatuaOn and Jealousy Caused Tragedy Which Aroused umu
in the Quiet Village of Grafton
MRS. LINNIE RANKIN KILLED INSTANTLY BY TWO BULLETS
James MITCHELL Her Assant May Live But Eyesght is Gone
Both Came from Waterbury, Conn.,

Jealousy was the cause of a sickening
tragedy in Grafton Tuesday afternoon,
as the result of which Mrs. Linnie b.
Rankin, "a, was killed by two bullet
wounds in the head, and James Mitchell,
80, her assailant, now lies in the lookup
Of the town hall with the sight of both
eyes gone from bullet shot through the
side of the head and with a possibility
that he may not recover.
The whole town was thrown into a
tumult by the shooting which took place
at the home of Dana Murgatroy. Two
months ago Mrs. Rankin, who was con-
sidered pretty, intelligent and capable
as a worker came TO Grafton from Wat
erbury, Conn, and secured work as
table girl at the hotel. She lived with
her brother, Mr.. Murgatroy, who, with
his wife and step-sister. Annie Cope,
lived in the house of John Rice, who
retained a room there. At an early age,
while living in Waterbury, Mitchell be-
came attentive TO the girl and they con-
sidered themselves engaged. He was a
machinist, an excellent workman, and in
the Spanish-American war he enlisted for
service in the navy. He did not return,
letters from him ceased coming, and,
having lost all trace of him, and think
ing that she was deserted, the girl re-
ceived the attentions of Rankin. Her
marriage to him followed and they had
one child, boy two years old who came
TO Grafton with the mother.
There are several stories of a similar
purport, although disagreeing in parti-
culars, to the effect that Mitchell re-
turned to Waterbury two years ago and
that his infatuation for Mrs. Rankin was
renewed. Trouble followed and ii is
said that he advanced money to her TO
aid her in securing a divorce. He had
been working of late in Hagerstown, Pa,
and came TO Grafton a week ago last
Sunday. His Oldest brother married a
sister of Dana Murgatroy and of Mrs.
Rankin so that he was naturally re-
ceived as a member of the Murgatroy
family.
1t appears that after reaching Graf
ton Mitchell became insanely jealous Of
John Rice and that ne would fly into a
rage when he saw Rice walking across
the street with Mrs. Rankin. Mrs Muir
gatroy says that on Tuesday morning,
when he saw Rice and Mrs. Rankin cross
the road together, he walked the floor fu-
riously and that she has seen him look
at them through the window. clench his
fists and grind his teeth like a crazy
man.
Mrs. Rankin finished work at the hotel
Tuesday morning and then went to the
home OF Mr.. Murgatroy a short dis
tance away. Through the forenoon
she and Mitchell were seen together and
tneN seemed 10 De on the pest or terms.
They were joking and laughing In the
afternoon Mrs. Murgatroy was in the
sitting room working at her sewing ma
chine while Mitchell and Linnie were in
the next room, having a playful argu-
ment over an autograph album which he
wished to get from her Without warn
ing OF what was coming Mrs. Murgatroy
heard a shot, heard Linnie cry "Oh,
don't" and then a second shot. Mrs
Murgatroy rushed out of the house and
across the street TO NJ. c. Redfield's res
idence, screaming incoherently She made
Mr.. Redfield understand that Linnie had
been shot, and he rushed across the road,
entered the house and found the dead
woman alone in the front room, lying
across a rocking chair. One bullet en-
tered under the left ear and lodged back
of the right eye. The pistol was held so
close that the wound was blackened by
powder. The second bullet entered the
side of the neck and passed upward
through the head. 1t was found In the
room. The rocking chair and carpet
were badly stained with blood.
Seeing that she was dead Mr. Redfield
informed j. B. Rickett the hotel land
lord, who is also town constable. The