The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1843-11-24
TRIAL. OF VINEYARD.
Correspondence cffhe Nao York Tribune.
\ 1910

when 1 last WROTE you, you VIII TeCoi-
lect was at Milwaukee Since theR 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 passed from Mil
waukie here is most beautiful and the
country passed over such as the eye de-
lights to gaze upon. had heard much of
the beauty of the Rock River country,
but when came 10 survey it myself,
had to acknowledge that the one-half had
no: been told me.
crossed Rock River at GAINESVILLE, a
beautiful and thriving little town with a
pretty court house, and wha, is rare IL
this country, two elegant and well KEEP,
hotels. On arriving here | found that
the court was in session and that the celc-
brated case of the United States us.
James Vineyard was about to be brought
to trial. Never having been in western
court, | had some little curiosity to wit
ness the manner in which the laws are
administered in Wisconsin; and as this
case was one that had excited much inter-
est. | thought the presen. favorable
opportunity. The history of the case is
no doubt fresh in your recollection, and is
about this J. Il. Vineyard and G. ID.
Arndl were members of the legislative
council of the Territory. A dispute arose
in the council chamber between them.
Vineyard charged Arndt with lying !;
Arndt returned the charge by striking
Vineyard with the fs:, and Vineyard
tlereupon drew from his pocket pistol
ard shot him dead. The offence was
committed at Madison, but change of
venue was taken by the defendant to thus
county. For some reason or other. the in
dictmeat instead Of being for murder, was
simply for manslaughter, and upon that
charge lie was tried here,
The jury as finally settled, presented
an interesting group | assure you, and it
would be no figure of speech were to
say tina, such another could no, be obtain
cd this side OF Botany Bay. I noticed
tina. the defendant managed 10 reject every
man from the jury who presented any
outward appearance OF intelligence. You
have read Pickwick, and must recoliect
the intelligent jury in the noted case of
Bardell VS.. Pickwick. Just turn to the
inimi!able illustration CT that jury by
'Phiz,' and you have a perfect simiIe of
the intelligence of the jury that tried
Vineyard.
The examination Of witnesses occupi-
ed an entire day, and many were examin-
ed 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
uniformly considered kind and humane
man.
After crossing the evidence, the case
was opened by the prosecuting attorney
for the county, but think have heard
James h. Whiting display greater abili-
,y on similar occasions. 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 a speech | guess, was never
made before or since upon such an occa-
sion. would like to give you an idea of
it, but it would be hardly possible. Be-
fore commencing he had a pitcher Of
whiskey brough, into the court room, and
set on tho table before him, from which
he drank long and frequently, so frequent
ly that before he got halt through with his
speech he reeled to and fro, and stagger-
ed like drunken man lie commenced
telling the jury what an Intelligent, high
minded, and honorable set of men they
were, giving them first compliment all
aound .hen after going through with a
detail Of The case he selected out one Jury
man whose name was Ruledge, Tone
who, when examined as to his quallica.
lions for a juror, said he could neither
read nor wri,e,) and addressed him about
thus: And you, Mr.. Ru,ledge, cannot
pass you by. You remind me Of your
noble ancestor, Edward Rulledgc of
South Carolina; him who signed the
Declaration Of Independence. What
would your noble ansestor have done had
he been assailed as Vineyard was in the
hall of Independence! would you no,
have done as Vineyard did! Would you
not have done the same under like circum-
stances !! | know you would--l know you
you are not the man to stain the glory of
your worthy progenitor.' And then, after
going on while, and saying grea, deal
that had just about as much to do with
the trial of Vineyard as the man in the
l. Il Il L Il