Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-02-10
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mat she went up in the chamber 10 box,
ana among other things thai belonged 10
her' took out adoll and told who gave il TO
her; That she went into the garden and
PICKED out such flowers as had been called
hers before she was carried off, and also
such as had belonged to her brother, and
many other things without making single
mistake, although not prompted in the least.
7 All this made il appear so conclusive 10
me minds OF the people that II could be no
other than the lost chill that among the
hundred who focxed to see her there was
but one or two who doubted it.
There was session of the Supreme
Court IN the county at the limo or immedi-
ately after, and the father Of the child was
arrested upon the charge OF man stealing,
and brought to trial.
The excitement all over the county was
equal to the Miller excitement. The trial
Of the man-stealer was the topic of CONVEX
saiIon with every one. The trial lasted
several days, and every one returning from
court had some question to answer every
moment about the trial. Every one was
satisfied that the prisoner was guilty, but
the fear was that by some crook of the law
ne would get clear. And if he should not
be convicted, would the child be torn from
its dear mother and given to the prisoner
All the circumstances related above,
were sworn to in court.
The mother Of the LOST child testified that
she believed the child TO be hers, that shc
had the same affection for that one she
had for the rest of her children. Il was
proved also that the prisoner had been seen
in that vicinity the day before the child
was missing, and that he then had no child
with him.
On the otherhani it was proved that the
prisoner was in Waltham, Massachusetts.
at the time the child was lost, that he had
the child with him. The witness was
asked by the Jndge how he knew this TO
be the same chiIdi He replied that the
prisoner and the child then in court, stop.
ped at his house day or two, that he talk.
ed oftaking the child to live with him in
his family, and of course took particular
notice of it. The judge evidently doubt
e the story, as il conflicted with the other
same childl" "By the sense of seeing,
your honor," was the prompt reply.
When the jury retired, they could not
agree upon a verdict. Eleven were
for convictng the prisoner, but one was
so obstinate that he would not be convIn-
red, conclusive as the evidence appeared
10 his fellows. This brought down upon
his head the censure of all concerned, eX-
cept the poor prisoner and one or two off,
GERS of The court. 1.-The man.stealer must
be kcp: at the expense of the state until
twelve honest men can be found TO decide
was every where the cry
However, the unyielding juror was suffer-
ed TO return peaceably to his home with
out being molested, much as the feelings
Of the community were excited against
him. II was not long before a re action
began 10 be felt. The unyielding juror
was more fortunate than most men who
have the honesty and independence TO dis
sent from the opinions of the multitude
The obloquy and odium which no had
called down upon his head by doing what
he believed TO be his duty; soon began to
subside. and "the sober second thoughts of
the people" began to place things in dit
ferent light.
1t began to be whispered round that Il
was not so certain that this was the same
child after all.
1t was said that this child was very ac-
tive intelligent child, while the lost one
was quite the reverse, as was also the 9TH
er children of the family.
1t was limited also that instead OF being
so we'll acquainted with the affairs of the
house when brought to s., there was
some pains taken to prompt her. Tho
tailor ventured to let the prisoner out of
Jail to do chores about the house, and when
asked if he was not afraid he would give
him the slip, replied, "you cannot drive
him away without his child" Finally the
suit was dropped, the court became salts
fed that the child belonged to the prisoner,
and ordered the jailor to discharge him
So the unyielding juror had the satisfac.
ton of having by faithful discharge of
duty. saved an innocent man from being
convicted of a crime which must have been
followed with very severe punishment.
--Skowhegan Me- Clarion.
40