The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1850-08-31
THE MURDERER.
A THRILLING TALE.

house of Mr.. John Smith, in a retired part Of
England, and requested nights lodginqs.-
The request was readily granted, and the stran-
ger having taken some refreshment, retired ear
ly to bed ed,requesting that he might be awakened
at an early ho ur the following morning.
When the servant appointed to call him en-
tered the room for that purpose, he was found
in his bed perfectly de d.,
On examining his body, no marks Of violence
appeared, but his countenance looked extreme.
iy 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 pass
ing through neighbpring village about an
hour before lie reached the house where he
reached his end. And then, as to the manner
Of his death, so little could be discovered, that
the jury which was summoned to investigate
the case, returned verdict that he had died
by visitation of Cod" When this was
done, the stranger was buried.
Days and weeks passed on and little furthe
was known. The public mind, however, was
not at rest. Suspicion existed that foul means
had hastened the strangers death. Whispers
TO that effect were expressed, and in the hearts
of many, Smith was considered the guilty
man.
The f1rmer character Of Smith had not been
good, He had lived loose, irregular life, and
al length, bein g suspected Of having obtained
money wrongfully, re suddenly fed from the
town.
More than ten years, however, had now
H.. since his return, du,ing which he had
,Iapse4 IS present residence, apparently IN
ived at h, 'ences, and with an improved
good circums, rmer life however, W rs now
Ills fo. ,ciOn, after all, faste, ned
and susP.
uPon him. months, gentler
AT the expiration Of two he purpose or
man stopped in the PLACE Tor l. ger who
making inquiry respecting the S'fa"- rosed
h.a heen (ound dead in his bed He sup 20
himself to be brother Of the man. Tho ""''
and clothes Of the unfortunate man still re-
mained. and were Immediately known as
having belonged to his brother. The body
o,so. was taken up, and though considerably
changed, bore strong resemblance to h'm'
lie now felt authorized to ascertain il Pos'i'
blei the manner Of his death. lie proceeueu'
hsreGore. TO investigate the circumstances rs
veil "a he was able At length he made
known to the magistrate Of the district the
inflammation he had collected, and upon 'he
strength Of this, Mr.. Smith was taken to la'l
70 he tried for the wllful murder Of Henry
ThjmpfOns
/; The celebrated lord Mansfeldswas then OF
0 the bench. He cha: :ged the Grand Jury to O'
: cso,iOus as to hndin G bill against the prison
ar. The evidence Of his guilt, il guilty. m'g0
: IA small. At future time it might be grea'
e er-more information night be obtained :
$, Should the Jury now find bill against h'u
!" and sbould he be acquitted, he could not
n molested again, whatever testimony s"ou'
ty r;.s IN AGAINST him. The Grand Jury, no" e
On A. did find bill, but it was by majority
- only one vote. s.;
At length the time of trial arrived om
,, vas brought into court, and placed at the O'
O.- A ureat crowd tAtongod the room, eager al
" anxious to see the prisoner, and hear the III
'et He. himself, appeared firm ard objected
u Naming in his manner or appearance 'hdlca'
IN ooilt. and when the question was put to |"
GU bV the Clerk: care you guilty" he answer
ant w,,b an unfaltering tongue, and with COZ
tay ,on,rce unchanged Not guilty"
u,e The I council for the prosecution now op''
'u'u ,bo case. But it was apparent that ne
Inn imo e1pecta,ion of being able TO prove
ooh r,isoner guilty. He stated to the jury
'oou inc case was involved in great mystery
k'a n,isoner was a man Of responsibility ana P
=, - :" sr,v. The deceased was supposed 10 naV0
:. no y, about him gold and jewels to large a"O
" lbut the prisoner was not so muc" III wa"
DgsN : funds, as to be under strong Temptation
y'ns commit murder. And besides' 1t he na0
'De.' tanned the property, he had efec'ually
"'' cealed it. Not trace Of it could % 'ou
Have WHY, then, was the prisoner su'pe'''
fonc. tIa would state the grounds OF suspicion
,, and deceased, Henry ThsmpsOn' was Jo%
.tions residing in London, and man Of woa''" .
had left London for the purpose Of mee'
dey trader at Hull, OF whom he expected 70
lmgs purchase. That trader he dla a.
time and after the departure oftbe latter Mf' :
COM .on was known to have in his possession
lOney, and Jewels to large amount :,
7 were with these in his pOssessiOn' he le'' 4
lccOm- bia return to London. 1t was not know
they he stopped until he reached Smiths a
. three mex, morning was discovered dea0 IN y
d from He died, then, in Smiths house; u"' a
lso re- could be shown that he came 70 us :
ted the ~ nnnatural way, it would increase 'n'