New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-11-04
wiskonsan-Trial of j. r. Vineyard:

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Wiskonsan-Trial of J. X. Vineyard!
Correspondence Of the New-York Tribune
MoNsoE Owls. Ter.) Oct. IS, 1913.
When las wrote you, you will Fecollect l
was a, Milwaukee Since then, my course has
been still westward, and Thursday night found
me at this place, which is the county seat OF
Green County. The route which have pursued
from Milwaukee here is most beautiful, and the
country passed over such as the eye delights TO
Gaze upon. | had heard much Of the beauty OF
the Rock River country, but when | came to
survey it myself, had to acknowledge that 1.-The
one half had not been told me-
I crossed Rock River at GAINESVILLE, beautiful
and thriving little town with pretty court house,
and what is rare in this country two elegant and
well kept hotels. On arriving here, found that
the court was in session, and that the celebrated
case OF the United States I. James X. Vineyard
| was about to be brought to trial. Never having
| been in Western Court, had some little curlos-
| ity to witness the manner IN which the laws are
administered in WISCONSIN; and as this case was
one that had excited much interest, | thought the
present favorable opportunity. The history OF
the case is no doubt fresh in your recollection,
and is about this j. r. Vineyard and c. P.
Arndt were members of the Legislative Council
| of the Territory dispute arose IN the Council
Chamber between them. Vineyard charged Arndt
with lying; Arndt returned the charge by striking
Vineyard with his fist, and Vineyard thereupon
drew from his pocket pistol and shot him dead.
| The offence was committed at Madison, but a
change of venue was taken by the defendant to
this county For some reason or other, the lndlct-
ment instead Of being for murder, was SIMPLY tor
1nanslaughtcr, and upon that charge he was tried
| here.
The Jury, as finally settled, presented an into
resting group assure YOU, and it would be no
| figure of speech 20 say that such another could
not be obtained this side OF Botany Bay. | no.
ticed that the defendant managed to reject every
man from the Jury who presented any outward
appearance of intelligence. You have read Pick
wick. and must rccollect the intelligent Jury III
the noted case Of Bardell VS.. Pckwlck. Just
turn to the inimitable illustration Of that Jury by
".Phiz," and you have perfect fac simlle Of the
intelligence of the Jury that tried Vineyard.
| The examination OF witnesses occupied an en-
! tire dav and many were examined on both sides,
principally on the part OF the defendant to show
that he acted in self defence. Witnesses were,
however, examined who proved the previous good
character of the accused, and that he was UNI
formlv considered kind and humane man.
After the closing Of the evidence, the case
was opened by the Prosecuting Attorney
for the county, but think have heard James
r. Whiting display greater ability on similar &C.
casons. The prosecution was followed on the
part of the defence by man by the name of
Strong, who understood lived somewhere over
near the Mississippi, in the Mining Country, in
speech OF about three hours in length, and such
speech, guess, was never made before or since
upon such an occasion. would Ike to give
you an idea OF it, but it would be hardly possible.
Before commencing he had pitcher OF Whlskey
brought into the Court room and set on the table
before him, from which he drank long and ire-
quently, so frequently that before he got half
through with his speech he reeled to and fro,
and staggered like a drunken man" He com
| menced By telling the Jury what an intelligent,
high-minded, and honorable set of men they were,
giving them first compliment al round; then
after going through with detail of The case, he
selected out one uryman, whose name was Rut-
ledge, zone, who, when examined as 70 his quail
tications for Juror, said he could neither read
nor write,) and addressed him about thus ''And
you, alr. Rutledge, l cannot pass you by. You
remind me OF your noble ancestor, Edward Rut-
ledge OF South Carolina; him who signed the
Declaration OF Independence. Whatwould your
noble ancestor have done had he been assailed as
Vineyard was, in the Hall OF Independence
would he not have done as Vineyard did Would
not you have done the same under Ike crcum-
stances know you would, know you are not
the man to stain the glory OF your worthy pro-
genitor.' And then, after gong on while, and
saying a great deal that had Just about as much
to do with the trial OF Vineyard as the man in the
moon, he says, Gentlemen OF the Jury, don't
know what your religion IS, nor don't care, /
hain' got much mysels, though Jesus Christ was
mighty good man. Now, gentlemen, am one
OF those kind OF men who 1--we pretty last be-
lieve men generally live over about the same sur
face: some live long and narrow, and others 1--we
broad and short
am one of the kind who live broad and short.
sometimes dread lest should live 70 be old.
| would no; like to live to be as old as that man
Brigham (alluding to witness who was mem