Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1915-07-30

The town of Addison was thrown into
a high state of excitement Sunday
night when the report was circulated
that a shooting affair had occurred.
The tragedy is supposed to be the re-
suit of lovers quarrel. 1t took place
on back road between Addison and
Vergennes. John L. Wilmarth aged
23 years, son of Mr.. and Mrs. Fred
Wimarth, on Sunday evening drove to
the house of Mr.. and Mrs. Stanton
Cross, as he had done frequently for
some time, and invited their daughter,
Miss Stella Cross, aged Is years, to
take a ride. The young couple were
seen during the evening driving about,
but nothing appeared to give the slight
est indication that there was any
trouble between the two.
About II o'clock Wilmarth drove up
to the home of the young woman and
assisted her out of the buggy and to the
door of her home Before arriving at
the home Wilmarth stopped at a water
ing trough and washed the blood from
the face of the young woman. 1t is
thought the shooting was done with a
80 calibre revolver as several bullets of
that calibre were found in the wagon.
Two shots were fired, one going through
the right hand and causing a scalp
wound over the right ear, the other
striking her in the face going through
the bridge of the nose, where it is
thought to be lodged.
Arriving at her home Miss Cross
staggered into the house saying, "He
shot me-" Her clothing was satu-
rated with blood and she presented a
ghastly sight. Mr. Cross at once tele-
phoned to Vergennes and Drs. V. M.
Waterman and F. NJ Rogers respond
ed as quickly as possible. The doctors
found upon examination that there was
no serious injury, although the young
woman was very weak from the loss of
blood.
Young Wilmarth drove the horse to
a pasture near Dead Creek, where he
unhitched it, taking the harness off and
turning the horse loose. A light over
coat was left in the wagon and sticking
between the back and the seat was a
postal card addressed to his mother. 1t
read: Good Bye. am going away.
You will never see me again." The
girls mother is said to have stated that
her daughter was about to break off her
friendship with Wilmarth and this is
thought to have led up to the shooting.
Sheriff Olin A. Smith was notified
and he at once called his force: ::of depu-
ties and general search was made for
Wilmarth. Although several clues were
followed very thoroughly no trace of
Wilmarth has been found 1t was
thought by some that possibly he had
committed suicide by drowning himself
in Dead Creek, but after careful drag
ging of the creek the idea was given up
The officers received word that several
pieces of mems garments were found
near an abandoned quarry in Brandon,
but on investigation they did not prove
to be Wilmarth's S clothing.
Word was received by Sheriff Smith
Thursday afternoon that man answer
ing the description of Wilmarth was
seen riding bicyle through Ludlow and
the officers Immediately started for that
place. Up to Friday noon Officer San
ford had not returned from this search.
A bicycle and blanket were missing
from the home of Willis Palmer, who
lives about quarter of mile from the
Wilmarth homestead, and it is thought
that he may have taken them.
Wilmarth is five feet six inches tall
and weighs about las pounds. He is
rather stout, mas light brown hair. blue
eyes and smooth face. He was en-