Norwich bulletin., 1915-07-23
FOUND DEAD.
Body of Louis Payette Discovered in
Neutrality-suspicious. Cash in Head
Bloody Axe Found Near-Autopsy
Shows Fractured Skull.

Louis Payette, native of Canada,
but a resident of this country for so
years, IL of which had been spent in
this neighborhood, was found dead in
woodlot off South street Thursday
morning, with a cash in his head, evil
IDENTIFY made by an axe. and of such
nature that the medical examiner is
OF the opinion that it was not likely to
have been self inflicted
Payette, who lived at 76 Watson
street with Mr.. and Mrs. Arthur Le-
Clare, the latter his daughter, had been
employed recently chopping wood for
Charles A. Young in the rear of C. B.
Pomeroy's farm. in the location where
his body was found. and went to the
lot, which is some distance back from
the road, and near the Lebanon line,
Wednesday afternoon. He was last
seen alive about 8 o'clock in the after
noon. When he did not return to his
home Wednesday night, a search was
instituted the following morning and
the body was found near a large maple
log which it was evident he had been
trying to split with a wedge
Medical Examiner Louis l. Mason
was notified and viewed the body, au-
thortzing its removal to local under
taking rooms, and Coroner Bill of
Danielson was summoned, arriving in
this city about 2 o'clock, when he went
to the undertaker's and with Chief
Richmond of the local police force and
the medical examiner, and later in
vesttgated the scene OF the death.
Autopsy Performed.
DR.. Mason performed an autopsy
and removed portions of the brain and
the top of the skull for future ex-
animation The wound which caused
the death of Mr.. Payette consisted of
cash extending from just above the
eyes over toward the back of the head,
some eight inches long, and deeper at
the back. where 1t went into the brain
about three inches. At this end alsb
the skull was fractured, as by the
head of the axe. The axe was found
near the body. covered with blood. A
wedge was in the log, and a sledge
near by, but neither implement showed
any signs of blood.
One Theory Advanced.
No real theory of just how the de-
| ceased met his death has been formu-
lated, but one idea discussed was that
he might possibly have used the blunt
end of the axe to drive the wedge and
on an upstroke. or as the result of re-
bound, the axe slipped and the sharp
end, which in this case would be tow
ard the head, inflicted the cut This
explanation seems compatible with the
fact that the cut was deeper in the
rear. as it is likely that the swing
would carry the handle over, and the
deep end of the wound would thus be
at the rear, particularly if Payette was
bending forward at the time, as he
would have been.
There were no evidences of a strug-
| gle, and there Is nothing to indicate
| foul play. other than the wound at
least so far as is now known, but the
matter will be fully investigated and
the coroner will probably be over
again today to question witnesses with
view to finding out the cause.
Native of Canada.
Payette was born in Berthier. Can
| ada, Sept. 81, 1S48, and came to this
city some IL years ago from MontvilIe
/ He has been a woodchopper since
coming here and was of a companion
able disposition. with no enemies, sc
| far as known.
He is survived by his wife, three
| daughters, Mrs. Eugene Gaudreau OF
| Springfield, Mass, Mrs. Philip Roy and
| Mrs. Arthur Leclaire of this city, and
two brothers. Joseph Of Hartford and
Arthur Of this city.