The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1829-09-10

the side of log, where the leaves hat
been pressed down, forming a hollow II
the leaves. On the log was stone. A
little distance they discovered where Z
horse had been hitched, a little further q
club apparently cut in hurry.--The leaves
of The bushes in the direction Of the track
were spotted, as some Of the witnesses
thought, with blood. On this Subject there
was some contrariety in the evidence
Some of the witnesses did not think they
were the tracks ofa horse and one thought
they were no tracks at all.--There was a
difference also among the witnesses about
the appearances in the woods, some think
ing that all Of them were natural appear
ances to be found at all times in the woods.
The accounts given by the accused were
very contradictory. lie said to all that she
was killed by her horse falling with her in
the main road, but 10 some he stated that
she was killed dead, to others that she was
killed by falling from the horse after ne
had put her on for the purpose Of taking
! her TO some place ofsafety. To some he said
! she fell when the drove came i'll view, :"
others that the last Of the drove was Just
getting out ofsight when she fell.
! A second inquest was assembled on
! Thursday night. The body was disinter-
red and examined by physicians, who at
| first thought that from the putresccnt state
Of the body, il wos impossible to assign the
cause ofthe death, and gave such an opln-
in writing to the inquest. They afterwards
came to the conclusion that her death was
caused by sufocation. There was also
| difference Of opinion among the physician
examined One Of them giving 1t as his de-
cided opinion that no Judgment could be
! formed as to whether she was killed by suf-
location or not, without an examination Of
the lungs and brain neither Of which were
seen by the examining physicians, the 9th
er thinking that the swollen and turge-
scent state Of the neck and face suifi-
ciently indicated death by suiioc tion.
! His fight was proved TO have taken place
! immediately after the second inquest was con
vened and aiter summons was issued Tor him
| by the coroner.
| It was proved that the knees Of the horse
we're injured, and several witnesses swore
/ positively that the injuries were not occasion
ed by the horse falling but were cut with a
knife or some sharp instrument.
! Daring tho argument, and while the last of
his counsel Mr. Prico, was speaking, let
ter, written by the accused while in prison,
10 Rachel Cunningham, was read by tho pro-
socntor to the jury.
The following is the lettet.--
CumbCriGnd, August -, 1922.
Ny dcdr,--I am happy to inform YOU that
the case is over and in my favor; and hope
YOU will come on Immediately and stop at
Mr.. Evans tavern, and no viii send to my
brother Charles for me. | am very anxious
to see you. hope you have had regard for
me and poor James, and conducted yourself
well--theh we will all be happy and you nor
h0 shall ever want for friend ] wish you
to BRING recommendation from the person
you have been living with. The stage ar
rves here in day and half from Wheeling
| am very weak or | would come On for youI
do not be afraid to come by yourself
Yours, S.
James 10 well and. sends his love to you.
The final sentence ofthc law was pronoun.
cod ON Monday last, by the Hon John Bucha
nan, who accompanied il with the following
PREDATORY remarks, with a copy of which we
have boon politely furnished by particular re.
quest;
Upon full and minute investigation before
a jury of your country, commensurate with
tho character of the offence with which you
stand charged, and the awful Consequences Of
conviction, you have been found guilty Of the
horrible crime of murder of The fret degree;
and it has become my painful duty as The or
gan Of this Court, to pronounce the solemn
and appalling sentence Of the law.
Ofyour guilt, not shade OF rational doubt |
is perceived TO exist.
Three different juries have pronounced you
the murderer Of yonr wife. tho jury cfinqucst, |
the grand jury that found the Indictment on
which you have been tried and finally the |
petit jury Of your own choice, aftor an atten. |
tive and patient hearing Of the elaborate ar.
guments of tho counsel engaged i'll your de-
fence, by whom nothing was left undono, that
zeal ana ingenuity could sugget
Far be it from me TO entertain any the re |
motest wish, TO insult, or unnecessarily offer |,
violence to your feengs--thcy must be alroa. !
dy sufficiently narrowed
But am constrained TO ray,--(would to |
God il were othcrwise,) that ~lful, delibe !
rate and premcdtated purpose, though essen !
tial 10 murder the first degree, does not give !
to the offence of which you stand convicted, !
its deepest die; does not constitute It's black. !
est atrocity /
Murder is shocking to humanity under any !
circumstances, and a we'll regulated mind one |
noNCHIIVus w cNeiy ploPeI ~ CoTI'Ct lceling. !
always turns from the contemplation Of it, |
with shuddering and abhorronce
Yet there are degrees of turpitude even in |
murder of the first degree, and that pcrpetra |
ted by you, mounts to the highest grade Of
normity.
Yours is an instructive, bu, melancholy les |
son; practical, but shocking illustration of
the awful truth, which cannot he too often, |
nor too strongly incucated, that one false |
stcp is eve. followed BY another.
Reared and educated in an enlightened SO.
ciety surrounded by respectable and numerous
friends and relations, and enjoying in high
degree the esteem and confidence of all who |
knew Ynu you found your nhnsed and nnhan.