The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-07-02
CHAMPNEY STILL AT
LARGE NEAR JAFFREY
Charge of Assault with Intent to Kill
Against Him-Wife Tells Story
of Attack

KEENE. y. IL. July Assault with
intent to kill is the charge County So
licitor Roy NJ Packard has brought
against Charles Champney of East Jaf-
rey. who Wednesday morning fired twol
shots at his divorced wife and then fed. !
Champncy is still at large. \ posse of
men under the leadership of Chief-of-Po-
lice jeremiah AIahOney of Jaffrey are con
Quoting a thorough search for Champney.
1t was reported that Champney purchased
a supply of cooked food from a bakery IN
East Jaffrey Tuesday night
All roads are being watched by con-
stables 20 the chance for his escape from
the vicinity of Jaffrey will be difficult.
1t is said that he is familiar with every
inch of land surrounding Jafrey.
Mrs. Champney told yesterday for the
first time since the shooting a connected
story of the near tragedy. Her body,
black and blue from blows at the hands of
her husband, one eve closed and black
ened. and with numerous cuts and
scratches about her face and body. Mrs.
Chmapney declared that Wednesdays as
sault was but the elimination of p years
of an extremely unhappy married life.
Mrs. Champney secured a divorce from
her husband two months ago. She sued
on grounds of cruel and abusive treatment,
and was awarded the custody of her two
daughters. At the time of the divorce
proceedings. she claims, Champney made
threats on her life. Since securing the di-
vorce Mrs. Champney has been earning
her living and that of her two children
by working in the cotton mill at East
Jaffrey. 1t has been her custom to ride
from the home of Mr.. and Mrs. Fred
StrattOn in conveyance hired from Mr..
Stratton. Wednesday morning at about
$50 she went to the barn and while wait
ing for Mr.. Stratton to harness the
horse. started toward the Stratton house
which is connected with the barn. to have
chat with Mrs. Stratton. She had Just
placed her dinner basket in the back of
the buggy when Champney, who had been
hidden in the hay loft. opened fire with a
3S-caliber repeating rifle.
Although the distance was not over %
feet. the shot missed and entered the side
of the barn. Mrs. Champney dashed for
/ the door leading into the house followed
by Mr.. Stratton. As they fled. Champney
pumped a hail of bullets after them. none
of which took effect, Gaining the house.
Mrs. Champney fled upstairs into the
attic. Mr. and Mrs. Stratton sought ref
uge in the cellar.
Champney followed. broke down the
door and followed his wife up the stairs
Mrs. Champney locked the attic door and
the enraged man, after demanding admit
tance, burst the door from its hinge and
pointed the smoking rifle at his former
Wife Mrs Champney grappled with him
before he could pun the trigger. They
wrestled about the floor, and with a
strength born of desperation Mrs Champ
ney succeeded in keeping the muzzle Of
the rifle pointed away from her.
Champney battered and bruised the
woman severely in an attempt to force her
to loosen her hold on the gun Mr.. STRAIT
ton. meanwhile. had. telephoned for aid.
and James Perry. a neighbour. responded.
He went at once to the attic and grappled
with Champney Assisted by the woman.
they succeeded in disarming Champney.
but were unable to hold him. He broke
away from them and. shouting threats.
ran for the nearby woods