The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1911-05-02
RICH WOMAN S
MURDER TRIAL
Mrs. Dodge Charged Win killing
Decorator

Guildhall, VT, May 1.---When the
case OF Mrs. Florence NJ. Dodge. OF
lLunensburg, VT, was called for trial
at the Essex county courthouse in
this city today 1t was the first 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 widow OF the late ]. Mar
shall Dodge. former high sheriff of
Essex county. is charged with the
murder OF William Heath. painter
and decorator, who, at the time Of
tho murder was employed in doing
some interior painting at the house
of the accused.
Not for many years has any MUIR
der case attracted so much atten-
tion and intense interest in this
state and throughout New England
as the case OF Mrs. Dodge. This is
due partly to the fact that she is a
woman, wealthy and prominent In
social and church circles. partly to
the apparent lack of motive in the
case. So utterly at loss in assign
Ing a motive OF the murder were the
authorities at the time OF Mrs.
Dodge's arrest that, under the laws
Of Vermont. the accused, although
charged with murder in the first de-
gree, obtained her release under
$4,000 bail. II Is generally be-
lieved that the prosecution now is
not 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 last some
time. Some delay is anticipated in
selecting a jury, as the county has
only small population and the case
has been so widely discussed that IL
may be difficult 10 find twelve men
who have not already formed an
opinion as TO the guilt or innocence
of the defendant. The state is rep
resented by Attorney General John
@. Sargent, Of Ludlow. and State At
torney Harr,- b. Aney, of Island
Pond. Attorneys Harlan B. Howe
and Harry Blodgett. Of St. Johns
bury. will defend Mrs. Dodge.
The element of profound mystery
which surrounds the case has arous-
ed 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 inter-
esting trial.
William Heath. the victim Of the
murder, was married man with a.
family OF several children and bore
an excellent reputation as an honest,
reliable and inoffensive man and in
dhstrial worker. On September III
OF last year he was at work painting
the woodwork In one OF the ROOMS
Of Mrs. Dodge's house. when the
neighbors heard three shots in rapid
succession. They rushed to Mrs.
Dottr muse anu AZ inc uOois met
Mrs. Dodge, /wringing her hands and
informing mem that Heath had CON-
mitted 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 location OF the wound
and the fact that the shot had been
fired from some distance. preciuded
the possibility OF suicide. A revolver
with three empty cartridges was
found In the room and Mrs. Dodge
admitted that the weapon was her
property. having formerly been IL
the possession Of her late husband.
Mrs. Dodge was arrested on a charge
Of murder, but, as the authorities
were unable 10 assign any motive for
the alleged crime, the prisoner was
allowed 20 give bail.