The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1907-04-04
MURDERER CAUGHT.
Dwight Niles Arrested and Attem pied
Suicide in Lookup.

Suicide in Lookup.
Dwight A. Niles, of Newport,
charged with killing his wife, Lou
lisa M. Niles, at Newport Center
Saturday evening, was arrested in
Richford at 1:45 O'Clock Monday
morning by Deputy Sheriff J. II,
Gross, assisted by A. Porter, con-
ductor of freight train, and D. M
Mari, deputy collector of customs.
Niles was taken to the lookup
and within FIVE minutes attempted
suicide by cutting his throat with \
pocket knife. His condition is Sc
rious. Niles was taken to Orleans
county Jail lat Newport.
The story of the capture of Niles
reveals clever bit of strategy. He
boarded the freight train little be-
fore midnight as it was toiling slow
ly up the heavy grade two or three
miles northwest of Newport. BE
waited at. highway crossing and
swung on the rear of the van. The
conductor heard a noise and opened
the door. Niles said he was a
brakeman on the Central Vermont
railway and said he wanted lift.
He was told that passengers could
not be taken on freight trains, and
that until the train stopped at a
station be would have to ride on
the rear platform. All the train
men had heard the story of the muir
der and that Niles was at large, SO
they became suspicious and conduc-
tor Poirier called the man in, say
ing that he might as we'll ride in
side. He was asked how far he
wished to ride and he said, cas- far
as the train goes" He was asked
his name, and although hesitatlng
at first, admitted that his name was
Niles. The conductor remarked
that his own bunk was not in use
and invited Niles to lie down.
Niles, who is lame in the knee from
a recent accident, was much ex-
Lausted, being hardly able to stand !.
He removed bis overcoat and shoes,
and placed his shoes by the fire to
dry. The trainmen invited him to
share their midnight lunch, but he
declined and, lying down on the
bunk, went to sleep. The train did
not stop at Newport Center or
North Troy, but at Mansonville,
Que, stop was made to allow the
necessary work by Canadian Gus
toms officials. From here conduc-
tor Poirier telegraphed to Richford
for an officer. The night operator
at Richford stepped to the United
States customs house and asked D.
M. Mari, the inspector on duty, to
go for an officer. Mr.. Mari at
once went to the home of J. H.
Gross, deputy sheriff and first con-
stable and aroused him.
On the arrival of the train, Mr..
Gross, Mr.. Mari and Mr.. Porter
walked into the van, and the con-
ductor awakened Niles, saying to
Mr.. Gross, els this the man you
want?"
Mr.. Gross asked Niles if b 8
hame was Niles, and he admitted
that it was. Mr.. Gross then asked
him if he was not the man who shot
bis wife Saturday evening. Niles
replied, Suppose I ann" By this
time handouts were in evidence,
and when requested TO hold out his
hands, Niles reached out one and
asked if that was not enough. a
stem command from the conductor
brought forth the other.
Niles was asked about a revolver,
and after little hesitation admitted
that it was in his overcoat pocket
where it was found. On arriving
at the lookup his clothing was
searched, but in some manner a
peck, t-knife was overlooked. Be-
fore lights were fairly secured Niles
slashed either side of his throat,
making severe wounds, which may
not however prove fatal.
Some people who have seen Niles
since his arrest are of the opinion
that he shows strong symptoms of
insanity.
Story OF the Murder.
Saturday evening about 7:15
o'clock, Dwight Niles shot
and almost instantly killed his
young wife within few steps of
her parents home, near Newport
Center.