Norwich bulletin., 1911-05-04
Thinks Heath
Shot Himself
WITNESS IN DODGE MURDER
TRIAL so TEsTIFIEs-
IMPOSSIBLE. SAY DOCTORS
Dead Mans Hand outstretched To-,
ward RevoIvsr-Mrs. Dodge Kept .
Pistol Under. Her Pillow.

Guildhan, VT, May 3.-An intima-
ton of the line of defense which may
be followed by attorneys for Mrs.
Florence M. Dodge of Lunenburg. who
is charged with the murder of Will
lam Heath. was brought out today in
the trial when, in cross examining
witness, the attorneys secured the adj
mission that from the position of the
formed the opinion that Heath shot
himself, either accidentally or with
suicidal intent.
Hand Stretched Toward Revolver.
The witness was Guy Garvin, who
was one of the first persons to view
Heath's body after the tragedy. At
that time, he testified that the dead
mans hand was outstretehed toward
the revolver which 1t II alleged caused
death.
Could Not Have Shot Himself.
DR.. B. III. Stone of Montpelier was
q principal witness today, pointing
out to the Jury the course of the fatal
bullet by running penstock through
the heart. which had been removed at
the autopsy. and giving it as his opin-
ion that the bullet could not have
been fired by Heath himself.
Heath Had Not Been Drinking.
DR.. Stone stated that he found no
evidence that Heath had been drink
the position of the body on the floor
led him to the opinion that Heath was
painting the Dashboard of the room
and that the shot was fired from the
doorway leading to the, front room.
Mrs. Bowsser's Memory Poor.
Mrs. Allen S. Bowker was one of
those who rushed to the Dodge house
after the murder and who saw Mrs.
Dodge She could recall nothing that
caid q fha Tina 9lfhnI1Qh
the states attorney questioned her
: closely and asked her several times if
she had not stated something Of the
kind at a previous hearing. But Mrs.
Bowker's memory was poor. although
she did recall that Mr.. Gardner was
among those present. The cross ex-
animation also failed to refresh Mrs.
Bowkers memory
SeIectman Took the Revolver.
One of the first public officials to
reach the Dodge house was Selectman
HArley W. Powers, who stated today
that he found everything in the room
as other witnesses had testified He
received the revolver shortly after his
arrival and examined the cartridge
shells; three of which were loaded and
two where empty. The loaded shells
were encrusted with green and white
substance, while the bottom of the
empty shells were moist. He turned
the -TetOIVeEN ever TO the state dllOE-
ney the next day. He was questioned
closely as to any paint brush near the
body, but could remember none. nei-
ther did he notice whether the door
to the back sitting room was closed.
No Powder Marks on Clothing.
Dr. Charles F. Dalton of Burling-
ton, who assisted at the autopsy, cor
roborated the testimony of DR.. Stone.
On cross examination DR.. Dalton stat
ed that he could not remember see
ing any thing on the. clothing worn by
Heath that looked like powder. marks.
Mrs. Dodge Kept Revolver Under Pill
low.
Three years before Heath was shot,
Mrs. Dodge said she kept a revolver
under her pillow every night for the
sake of protection. according to the
testimony offered by Mrs. Clara Mich
OILS of Lunenburg. Mrs. Nichols said
that Mrs. Dodge had made that state
ment to her and had also said that
another reason why she kept the weap-
on was because 1t was the property of
her dead husband.
Lunenburg Judge Testifies. =
Judge Kyle T. Brown of Lunenburg,
who was on the stand when adjourn
ment was taken tonight. testified that
on the day of the alleged murder he
heard Mrs Dodge say she was afraid
she would have to go to court. and
perhaps to jail.