Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-10-12
From the Liverpool KALEIDOSCOPE
CONVICTION UP0N CsRCCMsTAN
TIAL RvnDKNCR.

In The year iI23 young man, he
was serving his apprenticeship in Lon
don, 10 a master sail-maker. got leave
to visit his mother, TO spend the Christ.
mas holidays. She lived few miles
beyond Deal. in Kent. He walked
the journey, and on his arrival at Deal
IN the evening, being much fatigued,
and also troubled with the bowel com.
plant, he applied to the landlady Of a
Public-house, who was acquainted with
his mother, for 4 nights lodging
Her house was foil. and every bed &C.
cppied; but she told ban, that, if he
would sleep with her uncle. who had
lately come ashore, and was boatsw ain
ocan Indiaman. be should be welcome
He was glad to accept the offer, and
after spending the evening with his
new comrade. they retired 10 rest. In
the middle ofthe night be was attack
ed with his complaint, and Weakening
his bedfellow, he asked him the way
to the garden. The boatsw ain told him
to go through the kitchen; but as he
would find it difficult to open the door
into the yard, the latch being out Of
order. he desired him TO take a knife
out OF his pocket, with which he could
raise the latch. The young man did as
be was directed, and. after remaining
near half an hour in the yard, he return.
ed TO his bed. bu!,was much surprised "a
ind his companion had risen and gone
Being inpatient to visit his mother and
friends, he also rose before dav, and
pursued his Journey. and arrived al
home at noon. The Iandlady, who had
been told Of his intention 10 depart
early, was not surprised, but not seeing
her uncle in the morning. she went e
call him. She was dresdfully shock.
ed to find the bed stained with blood
and every inquiry after her uncle was
IN vain. The alarm now became gene.
raj, and on further examination, marks
Of blood were traced from the bedroom
into the street, and at intervals down
TO the edge Of the pier.head. Rumor
was immediately busy, and suspicion
fell, Of course. on the yoOOg man who
SLEPT with him, that DO had committed
the murder. and tbro an the body over
the pier into the sea. A warrant Was
Issued against bim, and be was taken
that evening at his mothers house -
On his being examined and searched,
marks Of blood were discovered on hi,
shirt and troWBers, and in his poke
were q knife and a remark able silver
coin, both Of which the landlady swore
positively Were her uncie's property,
and that she saw them in his posses.
sio0 on TIE evening he retired 10 rest
with the young man. On these strong
circumstances the DnlOrtunate youth
was found guilty. lie related an the
above CIRCUMSTANCES ia hs defence
but a. be could not account for the
marks Of blood on his person, unless
he got them when he returned 10 the
bed, nor for the silver coin being IN bis
possession. his story wos not credited. -
The certainty Of the boatsW aims disap-
pearabce, and the blood 81 the pier.
trsced from his bedroom, were too evi-
dent signs Of bis being murdered; and
even the Judge was 90 convinced Of
bis guilt, that be ordered The execution
TO take plsce IN three days. AZ tie a..
;al tree the youth declared he inno-
cence, and persisted in Il with such as
seFyahons, that many piiied him, though
none doubted the business Of bil sen
fence.
The exeeulioners ofIbose days were
not 70 expert ~ their trade ss modern
ones, nor were drops Or platforms N.
venied. The young nan vas very tall,
bis feet sometimes touched the ground.
sod some Of bis frien5s Who surround
ed the gallows eontriSed 10 give the
body support e. twas suspended. A.
Ter beng cot down, thogs iFisnds bore