The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1841-10-14
The Trial OF McLsod,


though may exclude nearly every thing else from
columns for two or three weeks.
But before we commence, we gvea short biography
ofhim from one Of our exchanges. MoLsod is
SoOehmsn, about 43 years Of age. lie is thick set
broad shouderet full chested man. about five feet eight
inches high, blue eyes, full ace, and low forehead.
His address is unusually progressing frank aud
cial IN his manners, and uncommonly intelligent. In
early life he received quite good education, learning
Latin aad Greek; and subsequently travelled as an a.
manuenss 10 Major Russell Of the engineers; rel
alive of the nobleman ofthat name who was murder.
cred by his valet in London two since. More
recently he travelled France, and in 1880 first touch
ed his foot 90 our free soil.
During most of the time he has speHl in this country
he has acted deputy sheriff in the Niagara District of
Upper Canada. lie was frstarraigned for his agency
in the burning Of the Caroline under the name of "An-
gus Mcleod younger brother of his. lie was re-
leased account Of this inormaity, but subsequently
ind lcted aud arrested under his 0wa proper name,
Alexander Mcleod He is free in his communications
on the matter which he is involved, answering all
questions and supplying the mnutest details to his
conduct during the patriot war; and seadIasty denying
any connection with tho memorable outrage on the
rights and honor OF our country with which he stands
charged.
The Judges are Gridey, White Kimbali and Jones.
The Attorneys for tho Prosecution, are VIC Hall,
Attorney General, Timothy Jenkins J. L. Wood, and
Seth G. Hawley Esqs. For the defence, Joshua c.
Spencer, d. Gardner, aud Alvin C. Bradley Esqs.
Mr.. Hall called on the trial. and stated the case to
the jury in an eoqent address, of which the following
is the conclusions:
''Beore you will be called upon to fiud verdict of
guilty, the following facts must he established, First
tat Dorfee was killed, secondly, that he was killed in
he county of Niagara, thirdly, that he was killed by
pistol or musket shot wound ola similar character;
and OF course that he was killed by the prisoner or 9TH
ers connected with him. with whom he Was acting
counseIlng, aiding aid abelting. lfhiS was done
by him or by the company, your verdict of gully must
follow. Gentlemen, have endeavored to place before
you IN the most simple manner. the leading features Of
tls case, so far rs they may useful you and no fur
her in understanding and applying the evidence as
presented to you. The interests which are committed
toy yoL are Of inexpreslbe importance to the prisoner
whose eisin your hands, to the people, for they have
committed TO you the vndicatlon of the laws upon
which all our lives depend. Ifhe prisoner be proved
guilty. aud you find him innocent you sa the fonnGa.
tons n government by destroying the confidence ofhe
people IN The administration Justice. Why isit that
often seocked with accounts of deeds of
vainy and bloodshedl The assembling together of
without law the frm of trial. and assuming 10
themselves the right to take the lives of oenders1 1t
is because cuns and uriss have failed to execute the
laws. The people have lost confidence in the regular
administration Of justice. Gentlemen this trial must
ariIy be long, tedious. and painful. Ietme urge
upon you 10 yourselves with patience as you would
consult your own future peace. This trial will be an
epoch in your lives. You will think Of a, yonr fire.
sides upon your firms, by the way>side in the long
seepess hours OF The night in the last dread hour re.
vew.wlen your past lives rise up before you-as the
dark and forgotten things suddenly Illuminated by
light from eternity, this will stand as one of you
most imnorlant acts ard greatest responsibilities. But
If through fear favor partiahy, or from any other
weakness ii through overlooking Of the law aud
testimony, which ysu are bound 10 observe by Your
solemn oaths fby any assumption ufthat power to de-
eide upon the expedlency ofa trial and conyiclon-a
power whrh belongs to the Executive alone and not the
Judiciary, if through vain and presumptuous attempts
TO overlook the cause and wei the Consequences if
from any all Uf !hese causes you fail to vndcate
the confidence which the law has reposej in you
you will then at the last hour bitterly but vany regret
II. Oent'pmen, nave out one word TO say; II Is that
throughout this trial. in every stage oft you are to keep
fixed before you, as if written in letters Of fire, Be jus.
and iear not
The first witness called was William Wells, who
was examined by Mr.. Woods He said reside in Buff
falo. I was born there. I am now 35 years old. In
December. of 1887, was the owner of the steamboat
CarOIiue. When bOhgh her, she lay in the slip, or
chip canal at Buffalo. fitted her up Immediately, and
on 29th of December ran her down to Schlosser. I
lay up that night at Schlosser about 6 o'clock, and
made her fast by chain cube. There is frame dock
there, made Of timber. After supper set watch, and
did what is usual on steamboats,. ] gave each man his
duty and retired to rest SyIvanua Stearng deck.
About l2 clock was awoke by The hands of the
sell who complained that their bertls occuE led.
TIE hands had bpen TO Niagara Falls, and when they
returned they wished to have their 5erths, told the
strangers, who occupied them that the condition on
which they permitted 10 occupy th en- was, that
they should be given up when the hands returned.
Those persons strangers 10 me, and had on
board for lodging for the night. Afterwards some one
put his head into the cabin and said boat was coming
with men IN it. | do not know who informed me- nor
whether it was to inform me alone. Capt. Appleby
and myself directed him not 10 let any one come on
board;, bur 10 see who they were. He stepped from
the companion way, and then said there were four or
five boats full armed men coming and he called TO me-
10 come deck. got out of my berth and dress
sing and heard terrible uproar and men on board;
heard the report OF more pistols guns, and
and the noise of feet deck. There was much hal>
looing and noise; stood BY the side Of my berth un-
til was dressed; maGe up my mind that they wanted
the boat, and that was all the harm they would do
knew they had possession of the deck, and secured