The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-05-03
From the Boston .Atlas.
A WESTERN JURY'S VERDICT.

From the Boston .7HdS
A WESTERN JURY'S VERDICT.
1t has been remarked-but, most assurediy,
'with malice aforehought ht'-that the course OF
Justice in the MINOR courts "away out west, is
any thing but righteous! But the advocates who
80 strenuously support this position, have, without
doubt at some time or other been placed in the
predicament of the Hibernian, who with his ntu-
tive wit, replied to the Judge, who assured him, as
he stood trembling at the bar, that 'justice should
be done him'-"Ah! God save yer honor, that's
Just what I'm afraid of!''
went out west once, and-came back again,
too! Egad! there be those when fortune has not
favored thus Well, as | said, went out west
While residing few months in the vicinity OF the
city Of D-t, a wolverine whose acquaintance
contracted there, amused me one evening with
the following story of "a case which occurred IN
that region. Speaking of the jury he assured me
that he was one of 'em,' and he knew the facts
by -"
There had been row in the neighborhood, and
in the melee the Uranium of reputable citizen
had been very roughly used One Of the ring
leaders in the aggressng party had been arrested.
The fellow was indicted -tried-and the case was
submitted to twelve of his countrymen to sit
upon'-who, by the way, were one third Yankee
one fourth Frenchmen-and the balance was made
up from five different nations, to wit Irish, Scotch,
German, Dutch and Kennuck otherwise Canadi-
any, The charge to tie jury was brlei, if not
characteristic.
sGentlemen,' observed his Honor. Il believe
this lark is guilty But the evidence has been SUBJ
mitted to you, and if you can't decide upon that
why, the least said the soonest mended Eve no
doubt he broke old Cockalorums sconce, and blow
me if I'm going 10 waste my breath about him !!
So, the sooner you convict him, the sooner we
shall have the drinks. Mizzle"
The Court was held in large three story build
ing and such of the jurors as happened to be asleep
were aroused by tap on the skillet from the
cane of old Coon Ten-k,' (as the sheriff was
called, } and the jury was forthwith conducted to
an upper room in the building, where they were
left TO deliberate upon the evidence for and against
the prisoner, who, if convicted would have
chance to study the science of cracking granite or
pudding StObc III i'N 'O>'' '''0
conveniently small-the day was warm, and plain
deal table in the middle of the floor was the only
visible article of furniture in the apartment. The
door was locked upon the outside, and the jurors
were to themselves
Gentlemen, observed the foreman, your opn-
ion, if you please.
Guilty rejoined a dark visaged man, who
seemed to talk with his scowling eyebrows.
Ditto, exclaimed second who was tired with
the trial, which had already occupied three quar-
tiers of an hour. Besides, he was thirsty
Il say guilty." added small man in low
crowned hat, who had made wager OH the result.
,,.Yes, guilty. remarked three others.
A little glittering Frenchman quietly remarked
that, "dere vas in dish nedder world, two kline OF
poor; Gods'sn poor, and poor Devlish; and, in his
opinion, dis teller belonged to the latter clash. He
considered dat he vas not so gilty ash he might
be!' Another Frenc hman agreed with him.
An Irishman-a hurley fellow-thought that, be
the powers the chap looked bad enough, sure !!
But where was the good of continuing about his
guilt, upon the evidence OF that cock-eyed glntle-
mon, who swore he saw the blows given; How
could the twisted, bear eyed divil see at all' 1t
was the very raison, he thought him innocent
.sWal, its my firm opinion, gentlemen observed
a swarthy Yankee, that it .sarved the old feller
right. He owes me three and sxpence yet, for
mutton left at his house four months ago. say
the prisoner is innocent
sAnd so do L.
land L.
The foreman agreed with the two last.
After considerable arguing one OF the jurors
Knocked upon the door.
Let us out. Coon.
= Have you agreed''
.'No-and wot's more; we shant'
'Eh"
open the door
mo you, don't. It's agin orders Squire says
you can't come it. You've got to agree, or stay
theFeg
oh, hell. But consider, Coon. There's never
drop OF any thing here to drink, and we've been
here en- hour. We can't agree. Open the door!
Cant do it. o.r rgHress
sOficer. open the door, bawled another.
sD-dif do, till you sgree"
7.Wil you open the Goori' enquied the first
Emo
Then did il / don't knock it of the hinges.