Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1850-02-01
4 Narrow Eseane from the GalInEs.

II Afution L9G1pO IUil LiE UnliUU Ss
We have already alluded 20 the extraordi-
nary case Of John Talmadge, of one of the in
terror towns OF The State of New DIRK, who,
after being indicted for murder, and inprison-
ed for six months, was found 10 be wholly in
nocent. The case is one of the most remark-
able on record, and shows how careful we
should be in cur judgment and gerdicts A
correspondent OF the New York Mirror gives
the following thrilling narrative of the incl
dents connected with the affair. Nothing
more fully imbued with startling interest can
be found IN the most absorbing works of nc
ton:
B.LLsToS Spa. Dec. IL 1919.
The most singular ami astounding deyeiope
ments that ever characterised the proceedings
OF court ofjustise. hive just been made be-
fore the Oyer and Termiuer now sitting in
tins place. You remember the case OF John
Talnadge, inflicted, here last spring for the
murder of WIN l.. Dodge, the engineer who
was Killed by the running Of the cars from the
track. The catastrophe was produced by
stones ri iced by the accused on the inside Of
the rails. Talmadge was an intelligent and
wealthy farmer OF tile higher grade, aud M TO
the time OF ms arrest had maintained n char
acter and standing that placed him beyond the
reach of calumny. Yet he was n high spiri-
ted aud passionate defender of his own and
the rights OF others. And as the railroad pas
ses through bis farm he had been cooiiy sub
Jected TO the loss of several cattle, run over BY
the cars, tor which the company refused all
remuneration, and IN consequence OF which
much litigation and bitter luminosity had en-
sued between the parties.
Talmadge had been heard 10 saw, he chopped
to God the cars would run off. aud this, TO
gether with the circumstance referred to, had
concentrated public suspicion upon him, and
he was indicted. Atlength two witnesses,
(hIshmen connected with the roa8l were
6und, who saw TaImadge place the stones on
the track. Their story was sim pie and plaus-
lDle, and there seemed OF he part OF tie ac-
cused no possible escape from the galiows-
The man whom all had esteemed who had
been h0nored by the people with many a high
pubic trust, and represented them in the
State Legislature, YVES soon, in the reluctant
belief Of all, to swing upon the sc,.itod. and
expiate the Grim of deliberate cold blooded
u der. IN this state of things the day of tri-
al arrived
Thousands from all sections or the country
crowded to the scene, eager TO catch every
movement, and listen with fearful eyes to
every VOID that seemed to make against the
prisoner. The most eminent counsel were
employed on both sides. The prisoner, per
sisting 10 its entire innocence, with pale coun-
tenance and an an eye Of wild agony. sat
trembling aud restless in his box. The two
principal witnesses took the stand. They
were calm aud apparently honest in the natu-
raj and plausible story which they told. from
the effect of which it seemed impossible for
the accused TO escape. His wife, who sat by
his side, and who, up to this moment, mad
preserved en- unexamPled composure, now
burst INTO flood Of tears, and by her sobs in
terruPted the proceedings of The court: and
the friends OF Taimadge began to abandon all
hope and to prepare their minds for the aw-
ful sentence, and the still more appalling scene
that was soon TO follow it.
At this point movement Of the crowd took
place toward the door Of the court room
Make way. make way resounded through
the spacious ball. Two men pressed up TO
The prisoners counsel and whispered, agita-
ted and almost GREATNESS in their ears A
fellow Erishman, who had long known that
the story OF these two witnesses was all f;4l,-
rcaIion, to obtain the reward offered for the
detection of the man who placed the stones.
had been moved by conscience to disclose it.
and to conduct another person to the proof
positive and uudeuiable, that when the fatal
catastrophe occurred they were not in this
country, but 10 Ireland.
This proof was now presented to the
prisoners counsel. The witnesses We're
placed upon the stand. The evidence OF
Talmadge's entire innocence was clear and
undeniable-the attorney for the people NJ
once moved permission to withdraw the
prosecution, and to arrest the two false wit
nesses on the spot, which was granted, and
such shout rs rang through the multitude
present, never Numbered from the windows
of a court house.
Talmadge was borne off on the shoulders of
The people, and the booming ofa six FOUNDER
as expressive OF their exultatou. closed up one
OF the most novel and exciting scenes that ev-
or TRANSCRIBED 10 any cnnrt or country