Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1843-09-22
From the Fredericksburg Recorder.
OYER .aJND TER.MLNER.

ULL0S nat OaUle Olu OOOIl.
This suit was instituted in 1871, for
indemnity for losses sustained by violation
of contract on the part of the defendants.
and for the recovery of certain rights and
immuni.ies, obtained by them, under false
pretences, in 1910. The prisoner was
brought into court under writ of dabeas
Corpus. His physical appearance was
haggard and emaciated in the extreme.-.
His eyes rolled wildly, and the general
contour of his countenance exhibited a
guilt which no affected innocence could
conceal; a FESTIVE spirit aud dogged de-
spair which no assumed nonchalance could
effectually suppress. His habilimen's hung
loosely, and in tattered fragments about
his person. His hat was somewhat an.
,ique in its s,yle-very much like those
worn in the days of the elder Adams the
black cockade' was still onspicuous.-
His linen was originally red flannel, but
now it was considerably soiled. His coat
was of 'many colors,' with a strong pre-
ponderance of red and Of cut so very
peculiar that it could be worn either end
up, or either side out His 'inexpresibles'
were also indiscrbables, though by the
prism Of scrutiny, they might be divided
into as MANY elements at least as Parson
Miller divides his beast. He was bare
footed and his pedal extremities were con-
sidersbIy lacera,ed by the thorns he had
been travelling on for the last three years.
A Jury of twenty-six was empannelled,
when the prisoner was thus addressed by
the court:
You OLD Coon You are arraigned
before the highest tribunal of your coun-
try, charged with the commission of some
of the most fragrant offences under the
cognizance Of human law. Inhexible JUS
lice, ever jealous of her prerogatives, de-
mands of us, her chosen instruments on
earth, the strictest scrutiny into the truth
of the onerous allegations now resting up
on you. Mercy, in her ethereal essence,
even now hovers over this august assem-
blage, ard in deepest commisera'ion for
your e-begone aspect, pours forth her
lachrymal flood IN copious profusion. We
know that
"The quality of mercy is not strained;
1t droppeth as the gentle rain from Heaven
Upon the place beneath"
Yet,
Though earthly power doth then show likest Gods,
When mercy seasons justice"
the majesty of human law will often re-
auire resistance TO her most pathetic plea.
dings, and sacrifcial offering upon the
altar OF memorable justice.
Hear, now. the Indictment, which,
though embracing many counts, may be
summed up in this
For riotous and dlsorderly proceedings
against the peace of the state, and the well
fare of its citizens-for constructing or
causing to be constructed, many unseemly
vehicles, and imparting thereto, by means
of horses, mules and jackasses, an unwon-
ted and exceedingly unnatural locomotion
for singing unseemly and uprorious
melodies, on divers occasions, to the inf
mite amusement of fools, and TO the great
annoyance of men of sense-for breach of
promise in instances too numerous to
men.ion'-for vending, giving away, and
otherwise disposing of Coon meat as roast
beef and for kicking up row general.
ly.' Guilty or not guilty. to this charge
You will respond.
The prisoner was heard feebly to an
swer-'not guilty.
Witnesses for the prosecution were then
| introduced. John Smith duly qualified.
Question by the Court.-Did you know
the prisoner at the bar
Answer.-I do.
Court.-You will proceed 10 state as
clearly and correctly as possible, such
knowledge of the prisoners character and
Witness.-The prisoner and myse,f
were born about the year l76o. Of the