The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-10-19

Trial Of one hundred and Itpelpe Men for Muir
der. The correspondent Of the Illinois Free Trader
gives account Of the trial Of the persons charged
with the murder Of the Drskalls John and William,
ing extracts:
He says "the September Term of the Ogle Cir
cult Court has just closed, and its session has been
marked by a trial, which, in the number Of the ac-
cused tried in indictment for the crime Of murder
is without parallel. One hundred and twelve men
were indicted for the murder of John Driskall and
William Drskall in June last near Washington
Grove, in this county. About one hundred plead not
guilty, and were put upon their trial. Judge Ford,
whatever might have been his feelings the accused
were his nelghbors, Judge F. living in Ogle county
exhibited upon the bench stern determination that
the accused should be fully and fairly tried Howev-
err the very fact Of the great confusion occasoned by
SO many names IN the Indictment left the accused
without any evidence to contend against.
The two or three first witnesses, whose names were
endorsed upon the indictment, (and by the laws Of
this State none except those whose names en-
dorsed be called to prove the substantive part of
the accusation) only knew some OF the preparatory
steps taken, which led to the supposed offence
The facts connected with the killing Of Lhe Driskas
are stated follows That the Driskas were q part
of an organized gang, embracing large number of
persons in the county of Ogle and the adjoining
ties who carried cheme of operations
against the lives and property Of the inhabltants.
That MURDERS robberies and larcenies had been
lied by them for a number of years and that ov-
ing to the extent and perfec ion Of their combinations
it had become impossible to convict by the ordinary
process of law. PerjuIed members Of their gang
swearing alibs such defence as were adapted for
the OCCASION had for long time, deed and defeated
the of justice. That few days previous to the
execution of the DrskaIs, a Mr. Campbell, a citizen
of the highest responsibility, had been wantony shot
in his own yard for his presumed exertons against
this gang and that there sufficient evidence TO
leave reasonable doubt that the Driskalls planned
and melted, and probably perpetrated, his murder
Further, that the Driskalls the chief and most
dangerous of the gang. They were shot after an ex-
animation which satisfied several hundred of the most
respectable citizens of Ogle and the adjoining counties
Of the truth Of the foregoing facts.
The case WIS submitted to the Jury, who, without
leaving their seats, rendered verdict Of Not Guilty
This verdict was given partially from want Of evil
dence, and from what the jury sijered the absoue
necessity of the The writer says the lacs could
not protect the community where the banditii COM
mtted their many enormities the occasion was too
urgent TO wait for their uncertain amendment and
not protect themselves mob law they ropudated-
they therefore resorted TO counter organization or
dained new rules of evidence and new mode of pro-
ceeding, such, and such only, in their judgment
were efcctual 10 protect them. There may he those
who are disposed 10 cavi perhaps 10 condemn. The
judgments and perceptions Of such would be essen
tally invgoraied, could they have dwelt for short
time here, and suffered the murder Of their friends the
burning of their DIV ellings and the plumber Of their
property and, when they called the law to redress
these wrongs to those whom they know to be the
perpetrators, escape with impunity."