This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: ajhflorida Surnames: Scott Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newyork.counties.chenango/1321/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I came across this while researching my Scott line , anyone know anything about this or the families involved ????? Anything maybe of help !! The Binghamton Press Thursday April 30,1908 William Scott alleged slayer of Mrs Delia Scott ( stepmother) PROMISED OPPORTUNITY TO ESCAPE, SCOTT TOLD OF MURDER, SAYS WITNESS Special to Tbe JEHnghamton P r t u. Norwich, April 30.-At the opening of court yesterday morning James Scott, the father of William Scott, the alleged slayer of Mrs. Delia Scott, was recalled to the stand. He testified that he did not remember the date of the birth of "Willie" Scott. ' Mr. Scott stated that his own mind has' been affected for quite a number of years. At one time, some four years ago. he' said, his mind became so disarranged that he was locked up. At this time, he stated, he shot at Charles Dye, a neighbor of his, a nd was convicted and fined. Mr. Scott testified that he Was also convicted some years ago for stealing a wagon belonging to John Fallettj that when be was about 26 years of age he was convicted of grand larceny. Scott said that he shot through the ceiling of his house toward the rooms of Benjamlne Franklin during the last Winter. He said at the time he fired the shot, he said, "I'll shoot that nigger." Witness said that "Willie" never seemed to know how to work as well as most boys of his age, and "never seemed to have a mind of his own." Mrs. Henry Guile stated that on Oct. 18;, 1907, t h e defendant and h is step-mother drove up to their house at about noon. An Important Witness. Frank Gcnung testified that he w a s employed on the Brown farm east of the village when defendant worked there. Testified that, on the morning of Oct. 18, 1907, ho left the farm and came back alone about a quarter after 1 o'clock. Genung asked Scott where he had been and Scott answered that he had taken his mother up to the lake as some one was ill. The witness testified Scott said: "I've got a revolver." On Sunday, Oct. 20, Scott went to the Brown farm and talked with Genung. He seemed to be In great haste, the witness said, and told him (Genung) that he was "In a heap of trouble" and wanted him "to swear to something for me." Asked* what >*' wanted sworn to Scott p\i??M'*£.&&- \ ing to Genung, "I war"."you to Bwear that you s aw my mo'ther get out of my wagon and into an unknown man's wagon." A revolver was exhibited to t h e wltnes and"ne identified it as the one that Scott had shown him the day of the ?^urder. 'Sheriff William Beardsley stated he first saw the defendant the latter part of September when he came to the Jail one day. A day or two after the alleged murder Scott and Harrington came to the jail. This was before Scott's arrest. The sheriff asked, "Where* i s Mrs. Scott?" Scott answered, witness said, that his1 stepmother and himself started toward Chenango Lake and that when they got over to the hill near Virgil, his stepmother got out of his wagon and got into a wagon with Frank Stockwell. Scott said, the sheriff testified, "The old people had a fight and the old m an pulled a-gun on Mrs. Scott and s he left him." Finding tho Body. When Harrington was shown the body by Scott hos shouted and the sheriff appeared and took Scott back to the wagon. Dr. Thomas F. Manley was called as a witness In behalf of the people's case. At the time of the Scott murder Dr. Manley was coroner. Dr. Manley went to Chenango Lake and examined the body of Mrs. Scott. He told of the condition of the body and i t s appearance at the time he examined It. The body was lying on its back when first viewed by h im and on turning it over he noticed the bullet wound In the back of the neck. The body was brought to Norwich and an autopsy performed. Doctors Wilcox and Phelps were present with Dr. Manley at the time of the autopsy. The autopsy disclosed that Mrs. Scott's death was caused by a bullet wound In the neck. The bullet passed through the spinal column. There was also a wound on the forehead of the victim. Stephen E. Harrington eald he has known "the defendant for about 16 years. He was acquainted with Mrs. Scott for about the same length of time during her life time. Mr. Harrington testified that he knew of the latter's absence from home and made a search for her. He went to the Chenango lake and searched for the body, but did not find 1L He testified that he had a conversation with the defendant at the Jail after defendant had been arrested on Tuesday, Oct. 2^ Mr. Harrington said, "Willie, If you were a boy of mine I would like to see you go free and go where I would never see you again." Scott asked Mr. Harrington to come in and see him in the morning. On Wednesday morning Harrington said he told Scott If h e would take thorn to the place where the body was located he (Mr. Harrington) would arrange It so the prisoner could have a chance to escape. Scott consented to such an arrangement, witness declared. Scott was handcuffed to Harrington and with other parties following them at a distance they drove to the lake. When they neared t3ie scene of the tragedy 8cott squeezed Harrington's hand giving the prearranged signal. While they were going toward the place where the body lay Harrington said Scott told him h e shot the victim In the back of the neck. Witness said he asked Scott what he did It for and Scott replied that he did not know.- Scott took Harrington to the place where the tragedy occurred and showed him the body. According to the alleged arrangement between Harrington and Scott, Hurrington was to unlock Scott's handcuffs when they reached the body. After Scott had shown Harrington where the body lay he asked to be released, Harrington said. Instead of releasing the prisoner Harrington shouted and t h e officers appeared. When he shouted withness said, Scott exclamled, "You traitor!" Then Harrington endeavored to unlock the handcuffs with a key that he k n e ^ would .not unlock them. When the officers appeared Scott was put back into the wagon with them and brought back to Norwich. ,>>tvthe"close of this testimony, Attorney Sullivan moved that ..it be stricken out, as Section 395 of the Code of Criminal Procedure provides that a confession, is not adraissable If it is made upon the stipulation that the prisoner might receive some favor at the hands of the law. The motion was denied. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.