Episode 469: Elroy Kent & The Murder of Delia Congdon

<p>On the morning of July 24, 1908, Delia Congdon, a deaf and non-verbal woman living alone in East Wallingford, Vermont, was found dead in her pantry—presumed to have been murdered while she prepared breakfast. At first, investigators suspected a local criminal known for his violent behavior; however, within a day, an unusual clue discovered in Congdon’s barn pointed them towards Elroy Kent, a notorious local thief and recent escapee from a nearby psychiatric hospital whose petty criminal antics had plagued police for decades. With a caveat of mental illness at stake, Kent's trial and execution came under heavy scrutiny.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Thank you to the magical and mystical Dave for research assistance.&nbsp;</p><p>References</p><p>Bennington Banner. 1909. "Elroy Kent found guilty in the 1st degree." <em>Bennington Banner</em>, April 10: 1.</p><p>—. 1909. "Shocking Tales in Elroy Kent murder trial." <em>Bennington Banner</em>, April 01: 1.</p><p>Bennington Evening Banner. 1908. "Bloodhounds at East Dorset on Kent's trail." <em>Bennington Evening Banner</em>, August 1: 1.</p><p>—. 1908. "Escaped lunatic through to be murderer ." <em>Bennington Evening Banner</em>, July 27: 1.</p><p>—. 1909. "Evidence against Elroy Kent is increasing." <em>Bennington Evening Banner</em>, April 2: 1.</p><p>—. 1908. "Tracing Kent by mania for name carving." <em>Bennington Evening Banner</em>, August 6: 1.</p><p>Boston Daily Globe. 1908. "Denies killing Delia Congdon." <em>Boston Daily Globe</em>, October 27: 9.</p><p>—. 1902. "Jumped from train." <em>Boston Daily Globe</em>, December 9: 3.</p><p>—. 1909. "Kent "faking" says Shirres." <em>Boston Daily Globe</em>, April 9: 8.</p><p>—. 1909. "Kent must die in 1911." <em>Boston Daily Globe</em>, November 3: 9.</p><p>—. 1912. "State aghast at Kent mishap." <em>Boston Daily Globe</em>, Janaury 6: 8.</p><p>Brattleboro Reformer. 1905. "Elroy Kent heard from." <em>Brattleboro Reformer</em>, October 6: 1.</p><p>Burlington Clipper. 1902. "May do some good." <em>Burlington Clipp