The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-06-23
WOoDSFIELD. OHIO, SATURDAY, JUNE %, 1s4a
the Captain, in a husky and tremulous


"Tell us what you know about ;t,'' said
the justice; but at that moment Mr.. Selden
whispered a few words to him, when he
resumed-"and be very particular, Cap
tain, as ! shall take notes of the evidence,
which may be used at another time.''
"Mr. Forbes was about ten or twelve
yards in the rear of Mr.. Talbot, when the
former raisedup his rifle and fired When
Mr. Talbot fell, the defendant ran up to
him, and on seeing him apparently dead,
threw down his rifle and fed"
Hamilton looked at the incarnate demon.
and wondered the Almighty had moi blast
ed him with lightning while he spoke. A
moments reflection, however, convinced
him that Simpson testified as one who
judged from appearances only, in all save
the raising and shooting of the rifle.
"Do you assert, sir, that | fred my rifle
at him?" demanded Hamilton, trembling
with emotion.
"You levelled your rifle at him and he
fell; and suppose you will not attempt to
deny that you were hastily moving from
the spot when encountered YOU"
Hamilton did not deny it; but he stated
all the particulars of the unfortunate events
as they occurred, and as we have already
described them; dwelling, as he proceed
ed, on the improbability of his having shot
his friend, or even admitting that he had
done so, on the great unlikelihood there
was, that, after retreating from the scene
of the crime, as witness stated, he should
have voluntarily returned and aided in car
rying the wounded man to the hotel. He
then adverted to the fact, that Simpson
had been seen entering the woods with a
gun: to the suspicious circumstances un-
der which he himself had encountered him
Immediately after the act, and that if ius-
tice were meted to the witness, he would
now stand accused of the crime with which
he so atrociously attempted to stigmatize
the innocent. -t{ 4
When he had concluded, Simpson
looked disconnected for an instant, at the
extent to which his own agency in the affair
had been made perceptible; but he soon
rallied, and turning first to Mr.. Talbot, and
then to the justice, he smiled peculiarly
and replied, ''smooth as seraph's song
from Satans mouth, ,"-''that, indeed, he
was incapable-very incapable, of doing
injustice to any person, more especially to
Mr.. Forbes, against whom he had never
harbored an unkind feeling, and that he
:-.sl;,,vd UvcrfUUk riic futUnrpcI atc
and accusatory language just uttered by
the defendant, in consideration of the pc.
culiarly unhappy position occupied by that
individual"
The magistrate decided that Hamilton
would have to give proper security for ap-
pearing at court, and Selden and DR.. Wat
kins became responsible for the forthcom.
ing of their friend at future trial.
As Mr.. Selden was returning the pen,
after signing the bail-bond, he felt himself
pulled by the skirt of his coat, and on fac
ing about, note was thrust into his hand
by Kawanda, who instantly after disap-
peared. Curious to learn its contents, he
opened the note, and read as follows:
"CoNFIDENTIAL.
"An interUieW Nth Mr.. Selden, at the
hour of eleren, tonight, Is earnestly solicit
ed by one acto knoacs something Of the act
for aohich Hamilton Forbes has been ar
raigned Mr.. Selden, 1t is hoped, ,oiU be
in his office, and ALONE, at the hour ADORE
A FRIEND"
81 will grant him the rendezvous at all
hazards" thought Selden, and he followed
MS friends from the magistrates office.