Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-12-23
LIFE ON THE TURNING OF A CARD.

A friend narrated to us day or two since, an
anecdoe Of early times in West Tennessee, which
we will attempt 70 repeat, even at the risk Of
losing the graphic simplicity Of his conversational
narrative.
Some eighteen OF twenty years since, well
known resideptof Upton county was put on his
trial. charged with the murder of his wife. As
usual in such eases, popular feeling was largely
against him. and all the eoquence and ingenuity
of his counsel We're required 10 make any impress
sion in his favor upon he jury, which, however
impartial it night desire to be in the conscious
ness of sworn duty, could not but see the waves
of popular ptejudes surging in upon it.
The casewas aEy argued The counsel for
the defence made 4nostyigorous and impassonate
appeals. Ave esA WAS submitted to the jury
and they ieiss ESQ make up their verdict. Tine
passed, and rs the setting sun warned all OF the
approaching night, the large throng in attendance.
the Judge counsel, etc, retired, all anxious, the
accused not least so, to learn the verdict of the
for one moment to bring in verdict Of guilty-In
the meantime the jury had come to point beyond
which they could progress no further The APP
meals of the counsel of the defence had not been
without their influence, and the jury stood
changeably six for conviction and six for aequ,tal.
Something had to be done, IN those days s.gelve
rood fellows could not be got together for night
and sleep. Cards appeared mysteriously from the
depth Of sundry large pockets, and exercises in
seven up and poker We're zeaously commenced.
About midnight one Of their number, Col. p,
proposed that they should play game of seven
up, the result to decide the verdict. The propo
sition vas heartily and unanim onsy agreed to, in
all seriousness, and the whole crowd collected
around Col z and his opponent, who proceeded
to play game on which was siaked a human
life Col. P. played to save the accused. His
opponent played, and quite as zealously to secure
the conviction. Their hackers, five and five,
stood behind them, encouraging their champions,
aud watching the game, dimy seen by the light
of the two talow candles, with the most intense
interest
The game proceeded with very equal fortune,
till both parties STOOD at six and six. 1t was Col.
P's deal he dealt and TURNED JACK. The pris-
oner was acquitted and every man of the jury
Joined in shout which startled the whole village
even the revellersin "the grocery" Next morn
ing the jury went into COURT and gave, to the as
constituent of many, a verdict of ''not guilty.
The juryman who Played an unsuccessful game
for human life, still lives, much respected citi-
zen Of this district. One of the counsel is a very
distinguished member of the Memphis bar. and
| the accused has, We believe, gone up to higher
| court; but neither Of them, nor the assemblage,
nor the court, who narveled at the verdict eigh-
teen years ago, have ever known that human
life was saved by tuning Jack! There are some
curious episodes in the history of our early settle
mens; but who would think Of venturing life
upon turning Jack.-.Wenphis Eagle