Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-01-15
MISCELLAN EOUS.
A NARROW ESCAPE FROM TIME GALL,

A NARROW ESCAPE FROM THE GALLONS.
We have already alluded the extraordinary OF John
Tamadge in Of the interior Of the State OF New
York who after being indicted for murder and imprisoned
for six months found be wholly innocent The
is one of the most remarkable record and shows how
careful we should BIO in judgment and vedicts cor
respondent of the New York Mirror gives the following
thrilling narrative of the incidents connected with the affair
Nothing fully imbued with startling interest can be
found in the mos, absorbing works of fiction:
BAr1srox SPA Dec 24th lS49.
singular and astounding developments that
characterised the proceedings Of court of justice have
Just made before the Oyer aud Tcminer sitting in
this place You remember the of John Talmadge in
dicted here last spring for the murder OF VIM. L. Dodge
engineer who killed BY tho running OF the from
the track The catastrophe produced BY stones placed
by the accused the inside or the rails Iamadgc an
intelligent and wealthy farmer Of the higher grade and
the time of his arrest had maintained character and
standing that placed him beyond tho reach of caumny-
Yet he was high spirited passionate defender OF his
and the rights Others And the railroad passed through
his farm no had been cooy subjected the loss of
al cattle run over ~ cars :or which the company
fused all remuneration and in consequence OF which, much
litigation and bitter luminosity had ensued between tho par
ties
would r1a off, and this together with the circumstance
ferred had concentrated public suspicion him. and
he indicted At length two witnesses. lrishmen con-
neced with the roadl found who saw Ialmadgc place
the stones the track Their simple and paus
be and there seemed the part OF the accused no possible
escape from the galows The whom all had esteemed
who had honored BY the people with many high pub
lie trust and represented them in the State legislature
soon in tho reluctant belief Of all swing upon tho scat
fold and expiae the crime of deliberate cold booded murder
In this state of things tho dav of trial arrived.
Thousands from all sections of the country crowded to the
scene eager catch every movement and listen with
full word that seemed make against the p
sonsr The eminent counsel were employed both
sides The prisoner pessng in his entire innocence with
pale and Of wild agony sat trembling in
mis- box. The principal witnesses took the stand They
were calm and apparently honest in the natural and plausible
story which they told from the effect of which II seemed
impossible for the accused escape His wife, who sat by
his side and who, this moment had preserved an un
examped composure burst into flood OF tears and by
her sobs interrupted the proceedings of the court. and the
friends of Tamadgo began abandon all hope and pre-
pare their minds for the awful sentence and tho still more
appalling scene that follow it.
AZ this point OF the crowd took place towards
the door OF the "Make way, make way " re-
sounded through the spacious halTwo pressed up
brsathless in their fellow Irislman who had long
known that the story OF these Witnesses all fabr
cation obtain the reward offered for the detection OF the
who placed the stones had been moved by conscience
disclose II and TO conduct another the proof
positive and deniabe that when the fatal catastrophe
cured they in this country but in Ireland.
This proof presented by the prisoners counsel
The witnesses placed the stand The evidence
of Tamadres innocence clear and undcniable-
che attorney for the people moved permission with
draw the prosecution and the false witnesses
through the multitude present, before Numbered from
the windows of court house.
Talmadge borne off the shoulders OF tho people, and
the booming FOUNDER expressive OF their exutaon
closed of the novel and exciting scenos that
ever transp.red in any court or country