Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-02-02
From the Baltimore Argus.
THE CASE OF TALMADoE.
xAaRow ESCAPE FROM THE cAILows


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We have already alluded to the ex'raor-
dinary case OF John Talmsdge, of one OF
the interior towns of New York, who alter
being indicted for murder and imprisoned
for six months, was found to be wholly In
nocent. The case is one Of the most re-
marksble on record, and shows how care
full we should be in our judgments and ver-
diets. A correspondent of the New York
Mirror gives the following thrilling narra-
five of the incidents connected with the
affair. Nothing more fully imbued with
startling interest can be found in the most
Absorbing works Of fiction
.. BALLsroN Sra, Dec. Oath, 1S49.
The most singular and astounding devel-
epments that ever characterized the pro-
ceedngs of court of justice, have just
been made before the Oyer and Termlner
now sitting in this place. You remember
the case of John Talmadge, indicted here
last spring for the murder of VIM. l.. Dodge,
the engineer who was killed by the runn-
ing of the cars from the track. The catas-
trophe was produced by stones placed by
the accused on the inside OF the rails. Tai
madge was an intelligent and wealthy far
mer of the higher grade, and up to the
time of his arrest had maintained a charac-
ter and standing that placed him beyond
the reach of calumny. Yet he was high
spirited and passionate defender Of his own
and the rights OF others. And as the rail-
road passed through his farm, he had been
coolly subjected TO the loss of several cat
tie, run over by the cars, for which the
company refused all remuneration, and in
consequence OF which litigation and bitter
animosity had ensued between the parties.
Talmadge had been heard 10 say, he
"hoped to God the cars would run Off"
and this, together with the circumstance
referred to, had concentrated public suspi-
cion upon him, and he was indicted. AT
length two witnesses, Qrishmen connected
with the road) were found, who saw Tai
madge place the stones on the track
Their story was simple and plausible, and
there seemed on the part of the accused no
possible escape from The gallows. The
man whom all had esteemed, who had
been honored by the people with many a
high public trust, and represented them in
the State legislature, was soon, in the re-
luctant belief of all, TO swing upon the scat
fold, and expiate the crime of deliberate
cold-blooded murder. In this state d
things the day of trial arrived.
Thousands from all sections Of the coun.
try crowded to the scene, eager TO catcl
every movement, and listen with teartu
eyes to every word that seemed to make
against the prisoner. The most eminen
counsel were employed on both sides.-
The prisoner, persistIng in his entire nno-
cence, with pale countenance and an ey.
Of wild agony, sat trembling and restless il
his box. The two principal witnesses took
the stand. They were calm and appa
rently honest in the natural apd plausible
story which they told, from the effect o
which it seemed impossible for the accused
to escape. His wife, who sat by his side
and who, up to this moment, had preserved
an unexampled composure, now burst into
flood of tears, and by her sobs interrupted
the proceedings of the court, and the friend
of Talmadge began to abandon all hop'
and to prepare their minds for the awtu
sentence, and the still more appalling scene
that was soon to follow it.
AT this point movement Of the crowC
took place toward the door of the cour
room. SNAKE way !" resounded through
the spacious Hall. Two men pressed ul
TO the prisoners counsel and whispered
agitated and almost breathless, in their ears
A fellow 1rishman, who had long known
that the story Of these two witnesses wa
all fabrication, to obtain the reward of
fered for the detection of the man whc
placed the stones, had been moved by con
science to disclose it, and to conduct an
other person to the proof, positive and un
deniable, that when the fatal catastrophe
occurred, they were not in this country
but in Ireland. This proof was now pre-
sented to the prisoners counsel. The wit
nesses were placed upon the stand. Th
evidence of Talmadge's entire innocenc
was clear and undeniable-the attorne
for the people at once moved permission t
withdraw the prosecution, and 10 arrest tn
two false witnesses on the spot, which wa
granted, and such a shout as rang throug
the multitude present, never before thun
dered from the windows Of a court house
Talmadge was borne off on the shoulder
Of the people, and the booming of 81
FOUNDER as expressive of their exultatior
closed up one of the most novel and ez
citing scenes that ever transpired in an
court or country.