Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-08-11

two returned to the Murgatroy house.
and finding no trace of the murderer
general alarm was given. II was thought
that Mitchell might be hiding upstairs
and DR.. F. L. Gilbert headed the force
which made their way there. No trace
OF him could be found, and at Constable
Rlckett suggestion men and boys quick
~ armed themselves with everything in
the way OF weapons which might be
available
In not over half an hour a shot was
heard from barn in the rear of the
mouse The crowd rushed in that direc-
uon and II was found that a small stream
OF blood was running from a scaffold to
the barn floor. Mitchell was found in
the loft with a pistol in his hand, but
apparently dead. He soon gave signs of
consciousness and was taken to the lock-
up where DR.. Gilbert examined him. The
Dullet had passed through his head back
or the eye. 1t was thought at first that
ne would soon die, but he has shown
wonderful vitality and it is now believed
that he will recover, but that he will be
totally blind, as the optic nerves were
probably cut off by the bullet
There are stories in circulation to the
erect that soon after he came Mitchell
threatened to kill Mrs. Rankin and that
she was afraid of him but did not wish
to make formal complaint. 1t is sup
posed that her refusal to marry him led
States Attorney Ryder, who had been
holding teachers examination in
Townshend. reached Grafton Tuesda1I
night. He took MitchelFs statement
Wednesday morning, and proceedings
Tor binding the prisoner over to the
county court were held. A package Of
letters from Mrs. Rankin to Mitchell
are understood to be in Mr. Ryders pos
session. but he will not dvulge their con-
tents. I. E. O'Brien of Bellows Falls
acted as counsel for Mitchell while the
states attorney was present
Several statements have been made as
TO Mibchells remarks since his confine-
ment. He is said to have expressed re-
gret at not killing himself and explained
his poor shooting by saying that his
hand shook badly, but has shown no
sorrow over the death of the young wom-
an. At one time he is reported TO have
exclaimed, My God, all for a woman"
one report is to the effect that he stoutly
maintains that he had no thought OF
killing Linnie until in tempest of rage.
angered by her threats to discard him.
ne suddenly sprang from the couch and
discharged the fatal bullet. This state
ment is hardly in accord with other evil
dence which tends to show that he had
told the young woman that If she did
not do as he wished he would kill her
and showed her the revolver
Mr. and Mrs. Murgatroy, the father
arrived in Grafton Wednesday. The
funeral was held Wednesday at Dana
Murgatroy's house at 10 a. M, and the
body was taken to Waterbury, Conn, for
burial
A despatch from Waterbury. Conn.
stated that about nine months ago the
Rankin child. which had been left in the
custody of the father, was kidnapped by
the mother, suit was begun for the
recovery of the child, but was never
pressed.
In an interview with a Rutland Herald
representative Wednesday Mrs. Murgatroy
stated that she had a full view of the
second shot. that she got up and went to
Mrs Rankin, who was bending over the
arm Of the chair with the blood running
from two bullet holes. Mrs Murgatroy
thinks the second shot was fired not more
than six inches from the victims face.
Mrs. Murgatroy says Mitchell claimed
that Mrs. Rankin had lived with him for
time in Hagerstown, Pa. Harlan Phelps,
Grafton boy, says that Mitchell told
MIN that he had no intention of harming
the woman. She had aggravated him so
much that he thought he must shoot her.