The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-01-15
ANOTHER MURDER
ON LONELY ROAD
NEAR TROY
John Eagan Victim of Gang of
Highwaymen.
LIVED IN MECHANICALLY
Discovered Sunday Night by People
Going Home From Church. WAS
Just Alive When Found.

Troy, Jan. ia murder, fiendish
as II was deliberate in its perpetra-
tlon, occurred about 8 o'clock last
night on the outskirts of Mechanic
vile, John Egan, we'll known resi-
dent of the village being shot to death
by revolver in the hand of a per-
son whose identity is as yet unknown
One suspect, Frenchman, who says
his name is Victor Larrabee, but who
is unknown to the police or citizens
of Mechanicville, and who has refus-
ed to reveal anything concerning
himself, is in custody.
Egan was discovered lying near a
woodpile owned by the West Virginia
Pulp and Paper company, and stu
ated on the state road, just outside
of Mechanicyille and within a quar-
ter of mile of his home, where his
wife was awaiting his home coming.
The murdered man when found by
people returning from services at
st. PauPs Roman Catholic church,
was still alive, but it was apparent
that he was near death. The police
NNlt uCAdiAtu W oCdiIn LuG
ing country and the Frenchman was
encountered. AS he was a stranger
in the vicinity the police closely
questioned him. He stoutly refused
to reveal his name or antecedents
and retained sullen demeanor 1t
was only after questioning OF the
most searching character that he re-
luctantly said that his name was Vic
tor Larrabee. but more than that he
refused to state. He was taken to
Mechanicville and lodged in Jail
An examination of Egan's body re
yealed bullet wound under the left
eye. The bullet took course
straight through the head. coming
out at the back of the skull. That
the revolver, which was Of 80 cali
bre, had been held close to Egan's
face when the trigger was pulled
was shown by powder marks and
slight burns under the eye. The con
dition of the mans clothing proved
that he must have put up a terrific
struggle before he gave up his life.
1t was readily apparent that more
than one man had been concerned In
the holdup and murder, as the dead
man possessed strong physique
which had been developed by his
work at the plant of the West Vir
ginia pulp and paper mill, where he
was employed as papermaker. Out
side of the one suspect in custody
the officers are in the dark as to fur
Their details of the crime. Egan was
a sober Industrious citizen and haC
the respect and good will Of his
many friends and residents in gener
al.
The spot where the murder tool
place is the scene of three hod-upl
In as many weeks. Last Wednesda,
night two farmers were stopped BY
three masked men. Revolvers were
held at their heads and their pockets
were rifled. No large sums were sc
cured, but the occurrence lends
color TO the statement that there hal
been much lawlessness in the neigh
borhood OF Mechanicville for man.
weeks. The police and District AT
torney Moore agree that the hold-up'
and last nights murder were thu
work Of the same gang. II Is thu
theory OF the officers that dlsreput
able residents of the village are con
cerned in the affairs.
After the body had been removed
from the spot where II had beel
found, a much closer examination
was made Besides the bullet woun'
a long and deep cash. as made b,
heavy and sharp instrument wa
found on the back of the head. Tn
second wound strengthens the be
, lief OF the district attorney that NOR
than one was concerned in the out
rage.