The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-11-19
Life on the Turning OF a Card.

A friend narrated to us a day or two since, an
anecdote of early times in West Tennessee, which
we Will attempt to repeat at the risk of losing
the graphic simplicity of his conversational nara.
tive.
Some eighteen or twenty years since a well known
resident Of Upton county was put on his trial.
charged with the murder of his wife. AS usual in
such cases, popular feeling was largely against him.
and all the eloquence and ingenuity of his counsel
were required to make any impression in his favor
upon jury, which, however impartial it might
desire to be in the consciousness of sworn duty,
could not but see the waves of popular prejudice
surging in upon it.
The case was ably argued. The counsel for the
defence made most vigorous and impassioned ap-
peals. The case was submitted to the jury and
they retired, to make up their verdict. Time
passed, and as the setting sun warned all of the
approaching night, the large throng in attendance,
the judge, counsel etc, retired, all anxious, the
accused not the least So to learn the verdict of the
Jury, and some wondering that the jury hesitated
for one moment TO bring in a verdict of guilty. In
the meantime the jury had come to a point be-
yond which they could progress no further. The
appeals of the counsel of the defence had not been
without their influence, and the jury stood I'M
changeably six for conviction and six for acquittal
Something had to be done. In those days twelve
good 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 were ZsalOusly commenced
About midnight one of their number, Col. P,
proposed that they should play a game of seven
up, the result to decide the verdict. The PROPOSE
ton was heartily and unanimously agreed to- in all
seriousness, and the whole crowd collected around
Col 2. and his opponent, who proceeded to play
the game on which was staked human life. Col.
p. played TO save the accused His opponent
played, and quite as zealousy, to secure the con-
viction. Their hackers, five and five, stood behind
them, encouraging the champions, and watching
the game, dimlY seen by the light Of two talloW
candles, with the most intense interest
The game proceeded with very equal fortune
till both parties stood at six and six. II 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 jewellers in I" the grocery" Next morn
ing the jury went into court, and gave, to the as
Punishment of many, the verdict of "not guilty.
The lnryman who played an unsuccessful GAM
for human life, still lives, much respected ctizeI
Of this district, One of the counsel is a very dis
tlnguished member of the Memphis bar, and tn,
accused has, as we believe, gone up TO highe
court; but neither Of them, nor any of the assem-
blage, nor the COURT who marvelled at the verdict
eighteen years ago, have ever known that human
lie was saved by turning Jack There are somt
curious episodes in the history of our early settle
menis.; but who wouli think of venuring life upor
turning Jack Memphis Eagle.