Northern star, and Warren and Bristol gazette. [volume] (Warren [R.I.]) 1826-1830, 1826-03-18
Monroe w. Atwood.

1 nhtCu III Auu uPoH VIC oOuy o'suC "iotC
said Monroe,by Joseph Atwood, against
the peace and dignity ofthe state, and
in violation of the statute in such case
made and provided. But the Justice,
thinking the dignity of the state was not
deeply concerned, and the Inv and
Charter not liable at present to be san :
initiated in order to save litigation,
recommended to the parties submiss-
ion Of their case to Referees, which was
finally agreed to, and Monday evening
the time appointed for trial.
On Monday evening the parties ap-
peared. and informed the Magistrate,
that they had determined on
MILLER BARNHy, Esq.
Mn. NOBLE HOOP.
CAPTAIN OLIvEn JouoNNsT,
as the Abitrators, by whose decision
they were willing to abide and directly
after the gentlemen took their seats and
proceeded with the examination.
Mr.. Luther Monroe, the Complain.
ant, took the floor. He appeared to be
determined not to lose his case, for
want Of IA good story, nor was he at all
deficient in oratorical powers. There
fore advancing his right heel in a line
parallel with the toes on his left foot.
and depositing his tobacco quid in the
Justices hat for safe keeping, lie pro-
ceeded with his statement.
+" Well gentlemen, you must know
that last Friday night, | was up TO Mr..
Adams shop, and while there bought
a watch for one dollar, of man rather
the worse for liquor. This watch Of
lerei Tor sale, when the man claimed
it Then says Atwood to me- Ehcre the
speaker brought his voice two slaves be.
low its usual pitch, and suited the ac-
! ton to the word, by drawing Il five franc
piece from his pocket "I'll keep it
safe take this dollar" There the. spe.
Gle gittered before the audience {" and
III give it t'ye again" {" Well gentle
men, rather than let the right owner
have the watch again, put it into At
woods hands, and took his money.
No sooner did he lay his fingers up
on the watch. than he cut the seals off,
and offered them at auction. III give
twenty cents" says |. Here the gen.
tlemen of the hammer were mimickcd
TO periectlon ell give twenty. i,c."
quoth the owner ofthe watch. "I'll
give forty, says /, but there was no at
tention paid TO my bid, and the seals
were delivered 10 the man that had
them of, without any liberty whatever
from me. Here, force of feeling pre-
vented the speaker from proceeding,
and it was not until he had unburthen-
ed himself of sundry convuIsive sobs,
that, placing his 'kerchiet't 10 his eyes,
he went on, in a manner truly pathet
lex "Well, | had now lost seven
cents. ia long sish] and as Atwood was
going hume, thought it best to follow
him, and ask him 10 make me whole.
When | had gone down King-strect,
overlook Atwood, and said, will you
piecse to give me the watch. To this
Atwood said nothing. but turn'd round
and struck Inc over the head with a
club which he carried roll'd up in his
pea-jacket pocket! And your honours
will perceive by the blood OIL NY coat,
how badly was hurt. No sooner was
down, than Atwood run his hand in
my pocket and robbed me of five dol
iars.p
The complainant, in order to sub.
stantiate his statement. called
Capt. Leoaard Reed, who stated that
on Friday evening. about eleven o'clock,
he had occasion to go INTO his yard, and
while there, heard some persons quar-.
reling. II being custom with him
never to see the pence broken when it
was IN his power to prevent it, he step
ped into the street and requested til,
combatants 10 desist, which they very
readily did. While standing between
them, Monroe reached over his shoul
der and gave Atwood blow in the
breast. Monroe interrupted the wit
ness, and denied striking any blow.
lie merely doubled up his fist. drew it
back to his ear and pushed Atwood. I
Atwood appeared desirous to 20 home
without quarrelling more, but was pre-
vented by Monroe, who continued to
follow hun, accusing him of robbing
his pockets, and demanding his watch.
Spoke i'll of Atwood's relations. and
appeared to be very quarreIsome. AT.
wood told him not to villify his wife
and on his pcrsisting struck him sew
leral times. Atwood then went home.