The Cortland Democrat, Friday, March 24, 1899.
MILLER TRAGEDY.
JOHN TRUCK IN THE COUNTY JAIL ON SUSPICION.
He Makes a Statement Which Is Contradicted In Many Respects by His Wife—A Watch In His Possession Identified as Miller's—Expressed Astonishment When Arrested—Coroner's Inquest Again Adjourned Until Next Monday.
Since the arrest of John Truck on suspicion of murdering Frank Miller in the town of Virgil, brief mention of which was made in the DEMOCRAT of last week, his case has been the all absorbing topic, not only in Cortland but throughout the county. The consensus of opinion seems to be that Truck is guilty of the charge, but here and there on individual is found who expresses some doubts as to his guilt and who proposes to give the prisoner the benefit of that doubt. While all the circumstances thus far known seem to point strongly to the theory that Truck is a murderer, the DEMOCRAT condemns no man in advance of sworn evidence, but gives the news fully and freely.
That the readers of this paper may understand the situation and form their own conclusions, we give in brief the prisoner's statement as made to a reporter, and also the declarations of his girl-wife. When Truck was arrested by Sheriff Brainard he was either very much surprised when informed of the charge against him, or he is an adept at feigning, as his countenance certainly expressed genuine astonishment when he was informed of Miller's death. At the jail he made a statement giving in detail his entire whereabouts covering a period of three days before the tragedy and up to the time of his arrest. When arrested he wore a suit of clothes that no one had seen him have before, and a watch and chain, a money purse and $3.06 in cash were found about his person.
In his statement Truck said Miller sent word to him that he had a cheap horse for sale and he went over to buy, having $96 which he had saved from wages paid him by Charles Blunden. He left home Monday morning, taking his rifle along for the purpose of hunting on the way. He reached Miller's house at 9 o'clock and after inspecting the horse, for which $46 was asked, he declined to buy because the animal was a kicker. He then started for home, but on the way he decided that he had better make the deal, and started back for Miller's, arriving there at 6 o'clock in the afternoon. He stayed with Miller all night, but did not close the bargain, and the next day (Tuesday) he stayed around that vicinity, going back to Miller's at about 6 o'clock, just as the latter drove in from the mill with the horse he wished to buy.
He asked Miller what he would take for the rig as it stood and he said $75. He paid him the money. The deal was to include the gray horse, the wagon, a whip, harness and four blankets. He then paid Miller fifty cents for some feed. The yellow leather bag, which was found in his pocket and which was identified as Miller's, Truck says was given him by Miller Monday night. Truck says he left there before 10 o'clock, Miller bidding him good night and expressing the wish that he might get home safely. He drove directly to his home in Homer, and the next morning he started with his wife for Tully. Before leaving Homer he bought his wife a pair of shoes and that was everything he did buy. The watch he bought of Fred Chapman, and the suit of clothes found on him he said he bought at a Jew store in Syracuse nearly a year ago. A jar of butter found in the house he says he bought last October and that he salted some pork last December
The statement made by Mrs. Truck, who is under 20 years of age, is in substance as follows, and the reader will note that in several particulars she flatly contradicts the story given by her husband.
Truck left home soon after 10 o'clock Monday forenoon saying he was going to Cortland. She is positive of the time as she looked at her watch. That was the last she saw of him until Wednesday morning between 8 and 9 o'clock. He bought her a pair of shoes at Bennett & Starr's and a new dress at W. C. Kingsbury's which she has produced. She never saw the jar of butter before that morning and the pork he also brought, saying that he had bought the butter and pork of a couple at Cortland who had parted. His new black clothes were a mystery to her, as she had never seen them until Wednesday. She knew they had not been kept in the house before. He had not owned a watch in years, and Truck told her that he won this watch and chain from shaking dice. The watch has since been positively identified as the property of Frank Miller, a jeweler's record showing that Miller had it repaired within the past year.
The discrepancies between the statement made by Truck and that of his wife are readily seen, and nearly all of them are of a nature which bear strongly upon the guilt or innocence of the accused. Mr. and Mrs. Trunk have no children living, a six months child born to them some four or five years ago having been strangled to death.
As stated last week, Coroner Smith adjourned the inquest to Tuesday afternoon of this week, but owing to District Attorney Duffey's engagements in county court and at his request, an adjournment was again taken until next Monday at 10 o'clock.
FREETOWN.
A Brief History of the Town and Mention of its Industrious Inhabitants and Their Business. This Article is the First of a Series which will include Every Village and Settlement in this County and Those Nearest Us in the Adjoining Counties. Next Week, McGrawville.
The old settlers of this county delight to sit by their cozy firesides, the result of many years of unremittant toil, and gathering their children and grandchildren around them, relate to them the changes which have taken place during their residence in this county. They delight to follow, step by step, the march of civilization and note the improvements which have taken place. Perhaps in no section of the county have these changes been more noticeable than in the town of Freetown. During the remembrance of these venerable gentlemen the stalwart forests have in a large measure been laid low and in their stead beautiful farms have sprung up, comfortable homes have been built and competent fortunes in many instances have been amassed. This change has been brought about by the industry and patient toil of the inhabitants.
A LITTLE HISTORY.
The town of Freetown was organized on April 21, 1818. It comprises the northwestern quarter of the old military township of Cincinnatus and lot No. 20 from the eastern part of Virgil. Freetown is located upon a ridge of hills between the Tioughnioga and Otselic rivers and was settled principally by emigrants from the north and eastern portions of the state.
The nearest grist mills were located at Ludlowville, Chenango Forks, Onondaga Hollow and Manlius Square, the nearest being forty miles distant from the town of Freetown. Roads, to any extent, at this time had not been built and the sturdy settlers were obliged to ford creeks and rivers, exposing themselves to cold and storms, by night and day, being obliged to camp out two or three nights during the journey. The country at this time was filled with wolves and panthers and many were the hair breadth escapes through which these early settlers passed while en route to and from these mills. As there were then no roads, they travelled by marked trees, whiling away the time as best they could at night. Tired and hungry, the jaded horses were tied to a tree and by the roots of some enormous oak or hemlock the pioneers would find a resting place, with the bags for pillows and an Indian blanket for a covering. This condition of affairs existed until 1798 when a mill was erected at Homer or a year later when Mr. Hubbard built the mill at Cortlandville, now owned and operated by Wickwire Bros. Robert Smith, a Revolutionary soldier, was the first settler. He drew lot No. 2 and moved onto it with his family in 1800, His home was a simple cabin built of logs and plastered with mud. After several years of privation Mr. Smith sold his section to Samuel G. Hathaway. Many of Mr. Smith's descendants are now living in Freetown and Marathon. The year following came Caleb Shepard and David Monroe. They located near the present site of Freetown village. In 1802 Wm. Smith of Great Bend, Pa., came to Freetown and located upon lot 25. A few years later came Eleazer Fuller from Northampton, Mass. He purchased 100 acres of land and became the father of four children. A daughter of Mr. Fuller's is the wife of W. J. Mantanye, a member of the state prison commission. Shortly after 1800 a store was established by Peter McVean, at what is now known as Freetown Corners. From that time on the changes in the town have been rapid.
THE RAILROAD.
From a business standpoint the people of the town have had much to contend with. For many years the farmers have been obliged to haul their products to Marathon or Cortland for shipment, but during the last year the Erie & Central New York railroad has been built and now runs through the eastern portion of the town. Now the productions of this section are easily disposed of and the facilities for business materially increased.
The village of Freetown is situated about six miles south of McGrawville and five miles north of Marathon, and contains one church, two stores, one blacksmith shop and about thirty private dwellings. Some of the houses are of modern architecture, while others show the ravages of time and the effects of storms of half a century.
THE STORES.
The proprietor of the large store, as it is familiarly called, is John M. Davis, a man well and favorably known throughout the southern and eastern part of the county. Mr. Davis is the postmaster of the town and also holds the office of town clerk. By his genial ways and fair dealing he has built up a very nourishing trade with the surrounding farmers. To the north and just across the road is located the store of F. R. Moon. His store, although not so pretentious from the exterior, is well kept and his well selected stock and general reputation has earned for him a fair proportion of the business of the town.
JOHN GRANT.
Just south of the store is the neat and commodious home of John Grant. Mr. Grant is one of the oldest settlers, of the town and delights to entertain his guests with reminiscences of the early history of Freetown. In the absence of a hotel Mr. Grant's latch string is always out for the accommodation of travelers, and many are the praises which are heard for the excellent dinners provided by Mrs. Grant. The principal industry in this flourishing town is farming and many prosperous farms greet the eye as the village is approached.
FOUR CREAMERIES.
Four creameries are doing a thriving business. Two are managed and owned by Mr. Austin Watrous & Son; one by Mr. Horace Martin and the other by Wm. Collwell. In these creameries the milk of hundreds of cows is converted into butter and cheese which eventually finds its way to the tables of the wealthy epicures of this and adjoining states. The politics of the town have usually been considered as of paramount importance and it is doubtful if in any town in the county can be found a place where more interest is shown as election day approaches.
M. ADELBERT MYNARD.
Freetown has often had a Republican majority but this year the wave of Democracy which is sweeping the land has also been felt in Freetown, the result of which was the election of M. Adelbert Mynard, Democrat, by a large majority. "Dell," as he is usually known, is one of the young men of the town, a farmer by occupation, but being possessed of a liberal education gained both by study and travel he will bring to his office the confidence of the entire town, irrespective of party.
SOME REPRESENTATIVE MEN.
Among the representative men of Freetown we find Horace Martin, a man who by his industry and frugal habits, has amassed a liberal amount of this world's goods. His farms are a model of excellence and his creamery which is situated on the homestead farm is one of the best in town. Among the substantial business men of Freetown we find Mr. H. R. Moon, Hon. M. N. Brown, H. O. Lamphere and Hatton E. Wood. These gentlemen enjoy the distinction and fill the office of justice and many are the law-breakers who have left their presence, sadder though wiser men. Mr. Moon, although a farmer, has been for many years engaged in the drilling business and many farmers are able to boast of a well of living water only through the efforts of Mr. Moon. His reputation has become widespread to such an extent that his services are sought not only in his own town but throughout this and adjoining counties. Messrs. Brown and Lamphere are both flourishing farmers while Mr. Wood Is largely engaged in the stock business with a shipping center at Marathon.
Messrs. James Humphries, James Wright and Lewis Bell are the assessors and have succeeded in a wonderful degree in holding the esteem of the community.
MILFORD M. BROWN.
The influence of the town of Freetown has come to be largely felt in the political complexion of this county. Among the substantial men whom this county has seen fit to honor as its representative at Albany, is Milford M. Brown. Mr. Brown was elected in the fall of 1885 and ably represented the county during the following year. Mr. Brown is now engaged in farming and enjoys in the fullest degree the confidence and esteem of his townsmen.
BLOODED STOCK.
Harvey Z. Tuttle, another prosperous farmer, has for several years represented his town as supervisor and his reelection last year was only prevented by the great popularity of M. A. Mynard, one of the coming men of the town. The farmers of Freetown are paying great attention to the breeding of blooded stock and an inspection of the dairies of Hervey Seeber, Hon. W. M. Brown, H. Z. Tuttle and Horace Martin would well repay any lover of fine cattle.
ARTHUR E. BRAINARD.
Among the prominent young men of Freetown we take great pleasure in mentioning Mr. Arthur E. Brainard, the present sheriff of Cortland county. Mr. Brainard is the owner of a fine farm about one mile south of Freetown Corners and before his election was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. When, about two years ago, the neighboring village of Marathon decided upon putting in water works the farm of Mr. Brainard was selected from which to draw the supply. Two springs of wonderful capacity were bought and a pipe line laid to the village of Marathon, a distance of over four miles. The water is of the finest quality and inexhaustible.
PRIDE IN HIGHWAYS.
The people of Freetown are numbered among our most respected and substantial citizens, noted for their hospitality and large heartedness. During the past two years a road has been built leading from Hoxie's Mills to Freetown, which affords a much easier outlet for the productions of the western part of the town. The expense of this road was jointly borne by the towns of Freetown and Cortlandville. Much interest in the town is felt by the inhabitants. The roads are well kept and no more inviting place for the pursuit of agriculture can be found in the county.
Mr. Franklin Jones, canvasser for the DEMOCRAT, will be in town for a few days taking subscriptions at $1.50 a year. Sample copies of this issue have been sent out freely and if you get one and are not a regular reader please look this number over carefully and see if you do not want the best county paper published at $1.50 a year. A new regular correspondent will furnish us items from Freetown weekly.
HERE AND THERE.
Owing to the high price of cows this spring many farmers will raise more stock this season, and less calves, less veal.
The Groton Bridge and Manufacturing company recently purchased a fine team of blacks of Messrs. C. L. & C. D. Peck of Cortland. The team weighed 3,400 pounds.
C. P. Walrad, president of the Cortland Savings bank, has received notification that deposits in savings banks are exempt from taxation.
The mental condition of Mrs. R. M. Warner, who recently wandered away and was found at East Homer, is such that steps are being taken to commit her to the Binghamton asylum.
John Doyle is costing Cortland county six mouths' board at Onondaga penitentiary as the result of "looking upon the wine when it is red," or drinking too much tangle-foot when it is strong last Saturday.
The first charter ever granted by the legislature of New York state was for the construction of a railroad from Syracuse to Binghamton. This was in 1826, but the road was not opened until October 18 and 19, 1854.
It is easy to tell that spring is near at hand from the amount of space that is being given to base ball gossip in the columns of the dally press. It is almost as sure a sign as is the annual store of spring verse that is just commencing to roll into the editor's sanctum.
Justice Kelley was engaged last Friday with the trial of a case by jury in which Helen M. Hammond of Dryden sought to recover from James Morse damages for cutting a quantity of wood on plaintiff's premises. The jury thought she ought to have $26.75, and awarded her that sum.
Louis I. Hatfield, well known in Cortland, was elected president of Sidney, N. Y., on Tuesday.
Sunday was the last day of winter, and as a final wind-up, it gave us a bitter, sweeping blizzard that made a burlesque of the near-by spring.
Messrs. Glann & Clark have leased the store, corner of Main and Railroad-sts., now occupied by George H. Ames, and will move there April 1.
All incandescent lights in the village can now be turned on twenty-three hours out of the twenty-four, being closed only from 12 until 1 o'clock noon.
The marriage of N. Fillmore Mather and Miss Lizzie V. Salisbury is announced to take place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Adelbert A. Sprague, 144 Port Watson-st. April 5.
The Skaneateles Free Press is twenty-five year old this week, and its silver wedding is observed with an entire page of retrospect. The Free Press is a wide awake entertaining newspaper.
The Homer Republican states that L. P. Norton, agent for the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance company, has received $2,028 in payment for the policy on the life of John H. Day, who recently committed suicide in Cortland.
LOST AN EYE.
George W. Guy of East Freetown, the Unfortunate.
A young man named George W. Guy, 22 years of age, residing with his parents about four miles from Marathon, near East Freetown, lost his left eye by a peculiar accident Wednesday afternoon. He was engaged in driving sap spouts when one of them broke, a portion striking his eye and destroying the sight. Drs. Higgins of Cortland and R. L. Smith of Marathon were in consultation in the case yesterday, and expect to remove the eye to-morrow.
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