Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-06-07
TRI.LoFC LoUGH.

'rhey set his character in q different light from
that IN which il has been regasded, and 60 Tar to
destroy the sympathy which has arisen in the
community in his behalf-a sympathy created BY
the idea Of his temporary insanity from jealousy,
and his reported goud character previous to the
deed. The conduct Of the three witnesses.
commented on by the correspondent. cannot oc
sufficiently reprObated. Their cowardice is un-
paralleied.
The defence Of insanity may possibly be sus.
taiued. as the prisoner has summoned a crowd
Uf witnesses from the eastern states 10 testify
on his behalf; still his own mother and other
kindred. have not been required to attend, and
they, one would suppose, would be best acquain.
ted with bus sanity from boyhood up.
The reports we have heard as to Cloush's
previous good character, turn out to be untrue
No sooner had the New York police officers
heard Of his arrest, than they came on to see him.
lie was at once recognised as . prominent actor
in a daring robbery committed % m time ago;
and TN being asked to tell whore the stolen Pro-
per.y uas concealed, he disclosed to them the
place where it might be found. Of this fact.
there can be no possible doubt. and if the wretch
ed man thinks fit to write q confession, no doubt
the incidents Of his life would exhibit o career
Of viilainy similar tn those Of which we have
been accustomed to witness the closing scene up
on the scaffoId. With all these crimes upon his
head, it is truly remarkable that he cuntrived
to conceal bis real character from the respecta-
bic family at BOrdentown with whom he boar.
ded so long.
You will observe from the evidence now
send, that when the screams of the deceased were
first heard, three men, So called, rushed up stairs
and saw the murderer bending over his defence.
less victim, with the fatal weapon at that mo.
ment in her beast, and that he even then stabbed
her three lines before their eyes! What. in the
name Of all that is ~virtuOus and manly, do gnu
think these grown up chuckleheads did, when
they beheld the horrid spectacle Of a woman in
the grasp Of her muderer2 Did they strike the
wretch down TO the earth?-did they seize him?
did they even call upon him to desiSt? No! no!
they left that Office to a girl Of thirteen years old,
while they, 10 their everlasting disgrace be il
spoken. fed dOpn stairs! One of them. more
hardy than the rest. ventured to call for - pistols
and q constable" while the others made arrange
nents to surround the house! Oh! shame up
on the craven hearted men-strong, stout. and
able bodied as they all we're. either one Of them
a match fur the iend-that they should witness
his stabs. and with one accord run away and isQre
him 10 complete his he4ish desG But their con.
duct Was exposed to the rIdicnie and cXecrafion
of a large community by Mr.. Brown in his cross.
examination; and az they walked the streets of
the village, the women puinted at them the finger
of scorn, and the men turned up their lips in ut.
ter contempt Of their pusillanimi;y.
The conduct of CIough in prison indicates him
to be a hardened aud %callous wretch. He asked
for a book, aud a bible was sent to him. He rc.
fused il, and desired it to be taken away, saving
that he wa,sed a ncvel. The Sherin's family,
as is common in county touns. resides in the
prison. A Young lady Of great personal beauty,
happening to visit the Sherifi's wife, he CHANGED to
see her as she passed, and requested TO be intro.
duced to her, as she was SD very handsome! A
Baptist clers, man of your city visiting him sume
weeks ago, began a conversation with him on Sc
rious topics. which Cloush cut short by saving he
did not want to hear any thing about religion IN.
I'll after his trial! So it would appear that even
he holds on to the faint hope for life which he
must know he has. But | must conclude, as The
friend who carries this is at my elbow.
Yours truly.