No Small Murder

 The Notorious Small Murder

A True Story Reported By Jeff Hayford 

One of the most notorious true crime stories to come from New England, took place in the small town of Center Ossipee, New Hampshire and quickly became one of the most written and talked about events of the time. The story began on the morning of September 28th, 1916 when local residents took Frederick Small from his home on Ossipee Lake to the train station where he left for Boston. That evening Small hired someone to bring him back by car after being told his home was on fire and his wife Florence could not be found. Early the next morning he arrived to find his home burned to the ground presumably with his wife still inside. Investigators claimed it was clear the fire had been intentionally set, finding kerosene and a fire pattern consistent with arson but Frederick wasn't suspected because there was no doubt he had been in Boston when the fire broke out. Later that day things took a drastic change, while investigating for arson, a murder was discovered, one that shocked the small community and captured the imagination of readers nationwide.

It was rumored that Frederick had been an abusive husband and he had a reputation for being inventive and a clever "tinkerer." Florence was his third wife and he was the sole beneficiary of her substantial life insurance policy. It didn't take long for police to add things up and despite the fact he was over 100 miles away when the fire started, Frederick Small was arrested for the murder of his wife. The Small's had moved to Center Ossipee three years earlier and were reportedly the first year round residents on Ossipee Lake. Ironically, the location of their two story home helped uncover what was nearly a perfect crime. Florence had been beaten in the head, shot and tied to the bed, the fire intentionally set to destroy her remains. Fortunately for the police, during the fire the bed fell through two floors into a flooded basement. The water prevented not only the bed and body from burning, it also saved an alarm clock, spark plug, several hair pins and some wire. If not for the flooded basement, life insurance and his own reputation, Small may have gotten away with the murder. Primarily because of the water, the prosecution was able to expose the brutal killing and clever plan to cover it up that included a home made gadget Small used to set the fire while he was miles away giving him a solid alibi. Small was found guilty and a little over a year after the murder the of his wife he was executed by hanging in Concord.

As the strange and gruesome details of Florence Small's murder came to light during the trial, the case quickly became one of the most talked about events of the time. The bizarre nature of the crime made national headlines and continues to fascinate local residents, visitors, true crime readers and historians. It has been re-visited often, a comprehensive cover story was published in Life magazine during the 1960's and in 2000, Janice S.C. Petrie whose family once owned the property where the Small residence once stood released, “Perfection to a Fault: A Small Murder in Ossipee, New Hampshire, 1916.” For over 90 years Florence Small's body laid in an unmarked grave in Grant Hill Cemetery in Center Ossipee. That changed in 2007 thanks to Natalie Peterson and other members of the Ossipee Historically Society who raised money for a marker and on the 91st anniversary of her death a graveside service was held for Florence Small with 91 candles being lit in her memory.

There is also an interesting oral history that was recorded and passed down from the late Gladys Frost, who was 30 at the time of the murder and spent most of her 102 years living just a few miles from the scene of the crime. As she recalled, it was Walter Marston and Kenwood White who took Small to the train and during the trial many residents believed there may have been an accomplice involved though this was never mentioned in court. She vividly recalled the events and said this talk came about because a "very strange person" was seen in town by many days before and following the murder. Gladys also stated that many Ossipee residents went by train to Concord to witness the execution and she could recall reading in the paper that "Mr. Small showed little emotion on the day of his execution" and that he had asked permission and been allowed to "press his pantaloons" that morning. These weren't the only rumors Gladys recalled, according to her it was often said, though never documented, that Frederick had been abusive to his two previous wives and one had died mysteriously in Vermont leaving him with a sizable estate.

Frederick Small was raised in Portland Maine, where he dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player until an injury ended any chance he may have had. He worked several jobs prior to meeting Florence and according to statements from friends and colleagues publicized during his trial, Frederick was a rather strange man, often referred to as "quite a character." Apparently he left an impression on those who knew him and it was said he was always either enjoying great success or suffering with heartache and failure. His crime, trial and ultimate punishment has been written and talked about for over a century, that's certainly leaving a lasting impression.

The Notorious Small Murder

A True Story Reported By Jeff Hayford 

One of the most notorious true crime stories to come from New England, took place in the small town of Center Ossipee, New Hampshire and quickly became one of the most written and talked about events of the time. The story began on the morning of September 28th, 1916 when local residents took Frederick Small from his home on Ossipee Lake to the train station where he left for Boston. That evening Small hired someone to bring him back by car after being told his home was on fire and his wife Florence could not be found. Early the next morning he arrived to find his home burned to the ground presumably with his wife still inside. Investigators claimed it was clear the fire had been intentionally set, finding kerosene and a fire pattern consistent with arson but Frederick wasn't suspected because there was no doubt he had been in Boston when the fire broke out. Later that day things took a drastic change, while investigating for arson, a murder was discovered, one that shocked the small community and captured the imagination of readers nationwide.

It was rumored that Frederick had been an abusive husband and he had a reputation for being inventive and a clever "tinkerer." Florence was his third wife and he was the sole beneficiary of her substantial life insurance policy. It didn't take long for police to add things up and despite the fact he was over 100 miles away when the fire started, Frederick Small was arrested for the murder of his wife. The Small's had moved to Center Ossipee three years earlier and were reportedly the first year round residents on Ossipee Lake. Ironically, the location of their two story home helped uncover what was nearly a perfect crime. Florence had been beaten in the head, shot and tied to the bed, the fire intentionally set to destroy her remains. Fortunately for the police, during the fire the bed fell through two floors into a flooded basement. The water prevented not only the bed and body from burning, it also saved an alarm clock, spark plug, several hair pins and some wire. If not for the flooded basement, life insurance and his own reputation, Small may have gotten away with the murder. Primarily because of the water, the prosecution was able to expose the brutal killing and clever plan to cover it up that included a home made gadget Small used to set the fire while he was miles away giving him a solid alibi. Small was found guilty and a little over a year after the murder the of his wife he was executed by hanging in Concord.

As the strange and gruesome details of Florence Small's murder came to light during the trial, the case quickly became one of the most talked about events of the time. The bizarre nature of the crime made national headlines and continues to fascinate local residents, visitors, true crime readers and historians. It has been re-visited often, a comprehensive cover story was published in Life magazine during the 1960's and in 2000, Janice S.C. Petrie whose family once owned the property where the Small residence once stood released, “Perfection to a Fault: A Small Murder in Ossipee, New Hampshire, 1916.” For over 90 years Florence Small's body laid in an unmarked grave in Grant Hill Cemetery in Center Ossipee. That changed in 2007 thanks to Natalie Peterson and other members of the Ossipee Historically Society who raised money for a marker and on the 91st anniversary of her death a graveside service was held for Florence Small with 91 candles being lit in her memory.

There is also an interesting oral history that was recorded and passed down from the late Gladys Frost, who was 30 at the time of the murder and spent most of her 102 years living just a few miles from the scene of the crime. As she recalled, it was Walter Marston and Kenwood White who took Small to the train and during the trial many residents believed there may have been an accomplice involved though this was never mentioned in court. She vividly recalled the events and said this talk came about because a "very strange person" was seen in town by many days before and following the murder. Gladys also stated that many Ossipee residents went by train to Concord to witness the execution and she could recall reading in the paper that "Mr. Small showed little emotion on the day of his execution" and that he had asked permission and been allowed to "press his pantaloons" that morning. These weren't the only rumors Gladys recalled, according to her it was often said, though never documented, that Frederick had been abusive to his two previous wives and one had died mysteriously in Vermont leaving him with a sizable estate.

Frederick Small was raised in Portland Maine, where he dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player until an injury ended any chance he may have had. He worked several jobs prior to meeting Florence and according to statements from friends and colleagues publicized during his trial, Frederick was a rather strange man, often referred to as "quite a character." Apparently he left an impression on those who knew him and it was said he was always either enjoying great success or suffering with heartache and failure. His crime, trial and ultimate punishment has been written and talked about for over a century, that's certainly leaving a lasting impression.

Sources:

Carroll County Independent Archives, Article Published September, 2007 by Terry Leavitt

“Perfection to a Fault: A Small Murder in Ossipee, New Hampshire, 1916.” Published, 2000 by Janice S.C. Petrie

"The Notorious Small Murder" First Published 1995 by Jeff Hayford

Gladys Frost Oral History Of The Frederick Small Murder, Recorded 1988 by Jeff Hayford

Copyright Jeff Hayford - Arts4Humanity Multimedia - All Rights Reserved

a4hpros@gmail.com

Posted 18th February 2015 by A4H "Arts4Humanity"

Los Angeles, CA USA

Labels: a4h arts4humanity blog classic copyright design film graphic hayford jeff movies musician non-fiction producer services sidetrack station tcm web writer

Sources:

Carroll County Independent Archives, Article Published September, 2007 by Terry Leavitt

“Perfection to a Fault: A Small Murder in Ossipee, New Hampshire, 1916.” Published, 2000 by Janice S.C. Petrie

"The Notorious Small Murder" First Published 1995 by Jeff Hayford

Gladys Frost Oral History Of The Frederick Small Murder, Recorded 1988 by Jeff Hayford

Copyright Jeff Hayford - Arts4Humanity Multimedia - All Rights Reserved

a4hpros@gmail.com

Posted 18th February 2015 by A4H "Arts4Humanity"

Los Angeles, CA USA

Labels: a4h arts4humanity blog classic copyright design film graphic hayford jeff movies musician non-fiction producer services sidetrack station tcm web writer