Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1844-11-30
November 80
CIRCUMsTANTIAL EVIDENCE

ofihe poor Genaaa is indeed very touching.
and is thus related BY Mrs. c.
A few years ago a poor German
came to New York, and took LODGINGS
where he was allowed to do his cook.
ing in the same room with the family.
The husband and wife lived in Der.
Petual quarrel. One day the German
came into the kitchen with a CLASP.
knife and pan of potatoes, and began
to pare them for his dinner. The
quarrelsome couple were in more vic.
lent alteration than usual, but he sat
with his back towards them, and be-
ing ignorant of their language. felt in
no danger Of being involved in their
disputes. But the woman, with a sud.
den and unexpected movement, snatch.
ed the knife from his hand, and plunged
it into her husbands heart She had
sufficient presence Of mind to rush into
the street and scream murder.
The poor foreigner in the mean
while, seeing the wounded man reel
sPrang forward to catch him in his
arms. and drew QUIT knife. People
from the street crowded in, and found
him with the dying man in his arms,
the knife in his hand, and the blood
upon his clothes. The wicked woman
swore in the most positive terms that
he had been fighting with her husband.
And had stabbed him with a knife he
always carried. The unfortunate Ger
man knew too little English to under
stand her accusation, or to tell his own
story. He was dragged off to prison,
and the true state Of the case made
known through an interpreter; but it
was not believed. Circumstantial evil
dencc was exceedingly strong against
the accused, and the real criminal
swore that she saw him do the nnrder.
He was executed, notwithstanding
the most perscvering efforts of his law
yer, John Ahthon. Esq, whose convic-
tons of the mans innocence, were so
painfully strong, that, from that day to
this, he has refused to hive any connec-
ton with capital case. Some years
after this tragical event. the woman
died, and on her death bed, confessed
her agency in the 'liabolical transac-
ton but her poor victim could re-
ceive no benefit from this repentance.
Society had wantonly thrown away its
powcrto atone for the gricvous wrong.
Mrs. Child also gives the following affect
lug accoun, of the execution, of an innocent
man in Missouri:
TRAGIcAL FATE OF BURTON IN MIS-
souRI.-A young lady belonging to
gentcel and very proud family in Mis-
souri,, but beloved by a young man NAM
ed Burton but unfortunately her af-
fections were fixed on another, less
worthy. He left her with furnished
reputation. She was by nature cner-
getic and high spirited her family
were proud. and she lived in the midst
of society which considered revenge
virtue. and named it honor. Mislcd
by this false popular sentiment, and
her own excited feelings. she resolved
to repay her lovers trcachery with
death. But she kept her secret so well
that no one suspected her purpose
though she purchased pistols. and prac-
tised with them daily. Mr.. Burton
gave evidence ofhis strong attachment
by renewing his attentions when the
world looked most colJly upon her,
His generous kindness won her bleed
ing heart, but the softcning influence
oflovc did not lead her to forcgo the
dreadful purpose she had formed
She watched for favorable opportu-
nifty and shot her bctrayer when no
one was near to witness the horrible
deed.
Some little incident excitad The sus-
picion of Burton, and he induced her
to comics to him the whole transaction.
II was obvious enough that suspicion
would naturally iasten upon him, the
we'll known lover of her who had been
so deeply injured. He was arrested,
but succeeded in persuading her that
he was in no danger. Circumstantiai
evidence was fearfully against him, and
he soon saw that his chance was
doubtful; but with affcctionate mag
nanimity he concealed this from her.
He was convicted and condemned.
A short time before the execution, he
endeavored to cut his throat but his
life was saved for the cruel purpose OF
-. :. ,o.orl;1, 10 tha roli