Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-01-23
A NARROW ESCAPE FROM THE GALLows.

We have already alluded 10 the extraordinary
case of John Tamadge, of one ofthe interior towns
of the State of New York, who after being indicted
for murder and imprisoned for six months, was found
to be wholly innocent. The case is one ofIhe most
remarkable on record, and shows how careful we
should be in our judgments and yerdicts cor
respondent! of the New York Mirror gives the fol-
lowing thrilling narrative ofthe incidents connected
with the affair. Nothing more fully imbued with
startling interest can De found in the most absorbing
works of fiction :-Baltimore american.
BALIsToE SPA, Dec. 24th, lS49.
The most singular and astounding developments
that ever characterised the proceedings Of q court
of Justice have just been made before the Oyer and
Terminer now sitting in this place. You remem-
Der the case of John Tamadge, indicted here last
spring fer the murder of Wm. J.. Dodge, ihe eng,-
neer who was killed by the running of the cars from
the track. The catastrophe was produced by stones
placed by the accused OIL the inside of the rails
'Talmadge was an intelligent and wealthy farmer
Of the higher grade and up 10 the time OF his arrest
had maintained character and standing that plac-
ed him beyond the reach of calumny. Vet he was
high spirited and passionate defender Of his own
through his farm, he had been coOlly subjected to
the loss of several CATTLE run by the cars for
which the company refused all remuneration, and
in consequence Of which, much litigation and bitter
animosity had ensued between the parties.
Taln,adge had been heard TO say, he hoped to
God the cars would run o, and this, together with
the circumstance referred to, had concentrated pub
lie suspicion upon him, aud he was indicted. AT
length Two witnesses, (Irishmen connected with the
ruad) were found, WIN saw Talmadge place The
stones On The track. Their story was simple and
plausible, and there seemed on the part Of The ac-
cused no possible escape from the gallows. The
man whom all had esteemed, who had been honor
ed by the people with many high public trust,
and represented them in the Stale Legislature, was
suon, in the reluctant belief Of all, to swing upon
the scaffold, and expate the crime OF deliberate
cold buoded murder. In this state Of things the day
of trial arrived
Thousands from all sections Of the country crowd
ed u the scene, eager to catch every movement,
and listn with ieaIfueyes to every word that SEEM
ed TO make against the prisoner. The most en'
nent counsel were employed on both sides. The
prisoner perssiing in his entire innocence, with pale
cuunlenance and an eye Of wild agony, sal trem-
bling and restless in his box. The two 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 il seemed
impossible for the accused to escape. His wife,
who sal by his side, and who, up To this moment,
had preserved an unexampled composure, now burst
into flood Of tears, and by her sobs interrupted The
proceedings of the court and the friends vi Ial-
madge began to abandon all hore and 10 prepare their
minds for the awful sentence, and the still more ap
mailing scene that was sum to follow it.
At this poin,, "a movement Of The crowd took place
toward the. dadt of The courtroom. "Make way,
make VA ~ sesounded ihruugh ihe sPacous hail.
Two men pressed up 10 the prisuner's cnunsel and
whispered agilaled and almost breaibiess, in their
ears. A fellow Irishnlan, who had long known that
the story of these two witnesses was all fabrlea-
ton, to obtain The reward offered for the detection
of The man who placed the stones, had been moved
by conscience to dscose it, and TO conduct another
person 10 the proof, positive and nndena5le, thai
when the fatal catastrophe occurred, they were not
in this country, but in Ireland.
This proof was now presented to the prisoners
counsel. The witnesses were placed upon the stand.
The evidence of Talmadge's entire innocence was
ceal and unden:abfe-ihe attorney for the people al
once moved permission to withdraw the prUsecu-
ton. and TO arrest the two false witnesses on The
spol, which was granted, and such shout as rang
through the multitude present, never before thun
dered from the windows Ola courthouse.
Talmadge was burne off on the shoulders Of the
people, and the booming ofa six FOUNDER as expires
sive of their eyualon, closed up one of the most
novel and exciting scenes that ever :ransplred in
any court Vt country.