Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-15
FAMILY STONED BY VILLAGERS
MURDER OF MAN PROMPTED
COMMUNITY'S ANGER.
Wife, Acquitted Of Crime, Held Re-
sponsible by. Neighbors-Gen-
darmes Save, Lives

Special Cablegram to The Star.
PARIS. November 14.-Tavaux, a pros
porous little place situated between Dole
and ChalonS. has been the scene of a ter
rible village tragedy. Three women, two
children and an aged man have been
stoned and their house sma Shed in be
cause one of the women, after being tried
and acquitted, is nevertheless popularity
SUSPECTED of having helped to murder her
husband
The butcher of Tavaux, named Martin
was found dead In front of his house last
January. His wife and her brother were
Immediately suspected of having MUIR
dered him. They were arrested and tried
The wife was acquitted recently. Her
brother was found guilty and sentenced
to ten years hard labor.
The woman returned to Tavaux where
she had her house and some land, and
where lived her father and mother, both
very aged two little children and a sis
ter. all of whom practically depended on
her. Her return caused great 1ndigna-
ton among the villagers, who persisted
in considering her guilty.
Their idea was TO lynch her. 1t is a
wonder they did not kill the entire family.
The evening when it was known that
the woman had arrived crowd gathered
in front of the house and threatened her
with death. She had murdered her hus-
band. they said, and now came back TO
enjoy possession of his house and lands
On the following night still greater
crowd gathered and set to work pelting
stones at the house. In few minutes
all the windows were smashed ia.
The three women inside were in mortal
terror. the children screamed and were
father of the unfortunate woman, though
scarcely able to move, asked for gun
with which to defend himself.
The crowd outside became only moro
excited, big stones continued to hall on
the house. the tiles on the roof were
smashed and the doors battered in.
The three women escaped in terror by
the back of the house dragging the old
man and one of the children with them
across the fields to seek shelter In the
woods. When they got there they found
the youngest child. mere baby, missing.
Back went the old grandmother to save
the innocent creature, whom she found
asleep in the cradle.
She reached it just in .tipe to save it
from death. the stones continuing to be
hurled on the house and falling through
the roof into the room of the child.
The mob then broke into the barn, pulled
out all its contents including the carts.
implements and the entire harvest, and
threw everything into the river. They
then intended to set fire to the house and
barn. but at the last moment were pre-
vented by the gendarmes.
AS a result of this scene forty villagers
have been indicted and viii have to APP
pear for trial.
The animosity most likely owes its
origin to few ringleaders, the boon COM
panions Of the dead butcher. In his life
time, it was said, as he had plenty of
money, he spent it freely, and passed
most of his time in drinkshops.
On the other hand. it is alleged that
he neglected and ill-treated his wife at
home. and had several times driven her
out of the house. 1t was to avenge
this ill-treatment. it was alleged at the
trial, that his brother-in-law murdered
him