Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1842-12-30

land was too slow in lis operation TO reach
snch cases. The injury would be accom-.
pushed, and become irremediable before the
law could be brought into operation, The
law OF sell defence alone could protect the
citizens from the violent and sudden assaults
of The rullian, or the infuriated mob,
lie commended that these principles were
applicable TO this case, aud that the prison.
or was not guilty of murder, either in the eye
lot the Law of God, or of man. lie expect
ed to prove that Bechcr took the life of
Howe, III defence of his own person, and ia
defence OF the dwelling house of Easton-
Bclcher being requested by Easton, or his
family, to defend the house. lie believed
the Jury could not say. under the crcum-
stances, that he was either guilty of murder
or manslaughtcr.
large number of witnesses were intro
duced by the counsel for the defence. to
show that the prisoner was rightlully at the
houseAiiat the house was attacked by
gang of fifteen ruians in a riotous manner
and that Belcher, as the lawful defender
of the premises, had the legal right to take
the life of any Of the ASSISTANTS on the SPOT
Mrs. Easton testified, that, learning an at
tack was mcditated upon their premises. she
sent by Mr.. Armstrong for her husband
to como home. and for Gen NeiIeton to
come up. Mr.. Armstrong, however neglect
cd to do the errand. Subsequently, fearing
that Armstrong might neglect to do the or
rand, she made the same request TO Collins.
and also requested him TO invite Mr.. Becher
10 come up, AZ he would bo likely to know
the names of the assailanis Collins is the
person who was arrested with Belcher. and
discharged by the Justice Court. lie test.
fled that snch request was made 20 him.
lie did not find Mr.. Easlon or Gen Ncitle-
ton. But towards . O'Clock, he came across
Belchcr, communicated the request of Mrs.
Easion to him, and they boih concluded to
60 TO the house. When they arrived within
about ten rods of the house, they heard per-
sons across dinglc talking. They sat
down. Pretty soon these persons came up.
and poured yolley of stones into the house,
breaking III the windows. &c. Belcher and
Collins tesilfes, though in their duty TO res
cue their family. who. they supposed, were
still in the house TO avoid the mob, they
took circuit and came up at the backside
of the house. They effected an entrance
through a window. They soon ascertaned
that the family were absent. They then
seated themselves upon bed in bedroom.
The rioters GANG up, picked the lock. and
dashed IN the door. Some Of them went in.
Others pounded about the house with an
axe. Some one called out for some matches,
remarking-1et US fire up; ,hat'll rout 'em
out Collins or Belcher then remarked,
that they had better 90 out and take the
names of the fellows whereupon Belches
sailed out, Collins remaining in the door,
Collins testified to nothing further Other
witnesses testified that the project Of des-
troying the house was premediated. The
persons concerned spoke about going up
there to have a scrape'-'to have some fun
to raise the roof Of the house. &c. On
the night of the murder, the subject was
talked over at 'Bebee's grocery Howe in
ytcd one Of the witnesses to go up with
him, stating that they intended to ia. and
feather Lydia Drake, aud give Barney Belch-
er pounding Lydia Drake was an I'M
fortunate female, supposed TO be kept at
Easton's, by Collins. But she had not been
at the house for some days previous TO the
riot) Three or four witnesses testified, that
they went up as spectators of the scene
They took their station about ten rods from
the house; and they could see very clearly
by moonlight, nearly all that was Transporting.
The rioters, they testified, marched up to
the house, in body, armed with clubs, with
somewhat military precision. They heard
the glass fall when the house was assailed
with stones: saw the rioters break into the
house; saw some of them enter the house
and saw the person follow them ont, who
they supposed TO be Belcher When the
latter approached, the rioters formed a halt
circle around him, brandished their olnb.
over his head, and used threatening language
One oil The gang was soon seen 10 fall back
and snortly Howe came running along, say
ing that he was stabbed. In quick success
sion Hatch followed. They did not hear
the threatening and proianc language attrib
uted to Belcher by the prosecution
The Government introduced some re.
butting evidence. One witness, who stood
with the three witnesses last noticed, icsti
fed that he could nat see, with any clear.
ness, the events transporting at, or near the
house, But he could hear their voices and
distinctly heard Bclcher use the atrociou,
language attributed to him by the Govern.
ment witnesses. Three or four wtnessc.
were also introduced, who testified that Mr.
and Mrs. Easton told them, on the morning
after the murder, that she did not invite
Bolcher TO come TO their house that night;
and that he was there as an intruder. Eas.
ion, however. re-assertcd that Belcher was
invited, and that he had no recollection oil
stating to the contrary.
Testimony was introduced az to Belcher's
character. Witnesses gave the character ot
man of humane feelings. ofamablc temper
and although in the habit of drinking more