The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-05-02
WEALTHY
Woman Placed On Trial For
Murder

Guildhall VT, May 1--When the |
case of Mrs. Florence M. Dodge of /
Lunenburg, VT, was called for trial ut |
the Essex oounty courthouse in this |
city today it was the nrst time since
the conviction and execution of Mrs. |
Mary Rogers for the murder of her
husband, six years ago, that a woman
was placed on trial for her life in this
State. Mrs. Dodge, the wealthy wild
ow of the late J. Marshall Dodge,
former high sheriff of Essex county, is
charged with the murder of William
Heath, painter and decorator, who,
at the time of the murder was en-
ployed in doing some interior paint
ing at the home of the accused.
Not for many years has any murder
case attracted SO much attention and
intense interest In this State and
throughout New England as the case
of Mrs. Dodge. This s. due partly to
the fact that she Is woman, wealthy
and prominent in social and church
circles, partly to the apparent lack Of
motive in the case. So utterly at a
loss In assigning motive Uf the muir
der were the authorities at the time
of Mrs. Dodges arrest that, under the
laws of Vermont, the accused, al
though charged with murder in the
first degree, obtained her release un-
der $4,000 bail. It is generally be-
lieved that the prosecution now is not
a single step nearer the solution of the
puzzle than at the time of Mrs. Dodge's
arrest.
The trial at which Superior Court
Judge Alfred A. Hall of st. Adams is
presiding, will probably lastsome time
Some delay is anticipated in select
ing a jury, as the county has only
small population and the case has
been so widely discussed that 1t may
be difficult to find twelve men who
have not already formed an opinion as
to the guilt or innocence of the defend
ant The State is represented by At
torney General John G. Sargent Of
Ludlow and State Attorney Harry B..
Amey of Island Pond. Attorneys Har-
Ian b. Howe and Harry Blodgett of st.
Johnsbury will defend Mrs. Dodge.
The element of profound mystery
which surrounds the case has aroused
unusual interest in widest circles and
the town is filled with visitors from
other parts of the State who have
come here to attend the interesting
trial.
William Heath the victim of the
murder, was married man with a fam
lily of several children and bore an ex-
cellent reputation as an honest, relia-
BILE and inoffensive man and indus
trious worker. On September II of
the wood work In one of the rooms
of Mrs. Dodge's house, when the neigh.
bors heard three shots In rapid sue
cesslon They rushed to Mrs. Dodges
house and, at the door, met Mrs
Dodge, wringlng her hands and in
forming them that Heath had commit
ted suicide. An investigation showed
that only one of the shots heard had
taken effect. Heath had been shot In
the back and instantly killed. The 10
cation of the wound and the fact that
the shot had been fired from some dis
: tance. precluded tine possibility of su
: icide, A revolver with the empty
cartridges was found In the room ant
Mrs Dodge admitted that the weapor
was her property having formerly
been In the possession OF her late hus
badn. Mrs, Dodge was arrested on 1
/. charge OF murder, but, as the authori
ties were unable to assign any motiv,
/ for the alleged crime, the prsone
: was allowed to give bail.
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NEM Dill MANI LEAn