The Woodville Republican. [volume] (Woodville, Miss.) 1847-1853, 1850-07-09
THE MURDERER
A THRILLING TALE.

A little more than fifty years ago, man
by the name Of Henry Thompson called %
the house Of Mr. John Smith, resident in
a retired part of England, and requested a
nights lodging. The request was readily
granted, and the stranger having taken
some refreshment retired early to bed, re-
questing that ne might be awakened at an
early hour the following morning.
When the servant appointed to call him
entered the room fo2 that purpose, he was
found in his bed, perfectly dead.
On examining his body, no marks Of vio-
lence appeared, but his countehance looked
extremely natural.
The story of his death soon spread among
the neighbors, and inquiries were made
who he was, and by what means he came to
his death.
Nothing certain, however, was known.
He had arrived on horseback, and was seen
passing through neighboring village about
an hour before he reached the house where
he came to this end And then, as to the
manner of his death, so little could be dis
covered that the jury which was summon
ed to investigate the cause, returned ver-
dict that he died "by visitation of God. -
When this was done, the stranger was
buried.
Days and weeks passed on, and little fur
ther was known. The public mind how
ever was not at rest. Suspicious existed
that foul means had hastened the strangers S
death. Whispers to that effect were ex-
pressed, and in the hearts of many, Smith
was considered as the guilty man.
The former character of Smith had not
been good, He had lived loose and irreg-
ular life, involved himself in debt by his ex-
travagances, and, at length, being suspected
of having obtained the money wrongfully,
he suddenly fed from the town.
More than ten years, however, had now
elapsed since his return, during which he
had lived at his present residence, apparent
ly in good circumstances, and with an i'm
proved character. His former life, howev-
er, was now remembered, and suspicion, af-
ter all, fastened uponhim.
At the expiration of two months, gen.
temah one day stopped in the place for the
purpose of making inquiry respecting the
stranger who had been found dead in his
bed, He supposed himself to be brother
Of the man. The horse and clothes of the
unfortunate man still renamed, and were
Immediately known as having belonged to
his brother. The body, also, was taken up,
and though considerable changed, bore a
strong resemblance to him.
He now felt authorized to ascertain, il
| possible, the manner of his death. lie pro.
ceeded, therefore, to investigate the circum.
stances as well as he was able. At length
he made known to the magistrate of the dis.
trict the information he had collected, and
upon the strength of this, Smith was taken
to jail to be tried for the wiful murder ol
Henry Thompson.
The celebrated Lord Mansfield was then
on the bench. He charged the Grand Jury
to be cautious as to finding bill against the
prisoner. The evidence of his guilt, if gull
ty, might be small. At a future time il
might be greater--more information might
be obtained. Should the jury now find Q
bill against him, and should he be acquitted
he could not be moIested again, whatever
testimony should rise up against him. The
grand jury, however, did find bill, but il
was by majority of only one.
At length the time of trial arrived. Smith
was brought into court, aud placed at the
bar. A great crowd thronged the room
eager and anxious TO see the prisoner ant
to hear the trial. He himself appeared firm
and collected. Nothing in his manner o.
appearance indicated guilt; and when tn,
question was put to him by the clerk-"Art
you guilty2" he answered with an unfalter
ing tongue, and with countenahce perfect
ly unchanged-''Not guilty 2"
The counsel for the prosecution now
opened the case. But it was apparent thai
he had little expectation of being able t
prove the prisoner guilty. He stated to the
jury that the case was involved in grea
mystery The prisoner was man of re
spectability and of property. The deceased
was supposed 70 have had about him golt
and jewels to large amount; but the priso
ner was not so much in want of funds, as t.
be under a strong temptation to commi
murder. And besides, if the prisoner haC
obtained tire property he had effectualll
concealed it. Not trace of it could be found
Why, then, was the prisoner suspected
He would state the grounds of suspicion
The deceased, Henry Thompson, was
jeweler, residing in London, and man o
wealth. He had left London for the pur
pose of meeting trader at Hull, of whom
he expected to make large purchase
That trader he did meet; and after the de
parture Of the latter, Mr.. Thompson wa
known to have had in his possession gol,
and Jewels to a large amount.
i With these in his possession, he left Hui
on his return to London 1t was not know
THAT he stopped until he reached Smiths
and the next morning was discovered dea
IN his bed. He died, then, in Smith
house !; and if it could be shown that b