The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1851-01-04
Lille on the Turning of a Gard.

friend narrated to ia, a day or two since, an
anecdote Of early times III West Tennessee, which
we will attempt to repeat, even at the risk Of los
ing the graphic simplicity Of his conversational
narrative.
Seine eighteen or twenty years since, 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 elloquence and ingenuity
Of his counsel was required to make any impress
sion in his favor upon a jury, which however i'm
partial it might desire to be, in the consciousness
OF sworn duty, could not but see the waves Of po
pular prejudice surging in upoh IL.
The case was ably argued. The counsel for
the defence made most vigorous and impassioned
appeals. The case was submitted to the jury, aud
they retired to make up their verdict. Time
passed.. and as the sitting 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 hest
tated for one moment to bring in verdict Of gull
ty. In the mean time, the jury had come to {.
point beyond which they could progress no fur
Their The appeals Of the counsel Of the defence
had not been withou. their influence, and the jury
stood MECHANICALLY six for conviction and six for
ncquittal Something had to be done In those
days twelve good fellows could not DO brought
together for night, aud sleep. Cards appeared
mysterously from the debths Of sundry largo
pockets, and exercises in seven up and poker were
zealously commenced.
About midnight one Of their number, Col. P.
proposed that they should play game Of seven
up, the result to decide the verdict. Tho prop.
osition was heartily md unanimously agreed TO-
in all seriousness, and the whole crsud collected
around Col. p. and his oppononent, who preceded
70 play the game on which was staksd human
life. Col p played to save tho accused Iii,
opponent played, and quito a. zalously. TO secur,
the conviction Their hackers fve and Ave stood
behind them, encouraging the champions. AnC
watching the game, dimly seen by the light o
two tallow candles, with the most intense interest
The game proceeded with very equal fortune
till both parties stood at six and six Il was Col
P.s deal; be dealt, and turned Jack. The prise
ner wac acquitted, and every man Of tho jury
Joined in shout which startled the whole village
even the jewellers in "ths grocery" Next morn
ing the jury went into court. and gave 10 the 40
tonlshment OF many, the verdict 81 mot guilty.
Ths juryman who played an unsuccessful game
for human life still lives, much respected cit,
zen Of this district One Of the counsel il very
distinguished member of the Memphis bar and
the accused has ~ We believe, gone 10 hlrhe,
court, but neither Of them, nor any Of the Assem-
blags, nor the court who msrvclsd At the verdict
eighteen years ago, have ever known thu, a hu
man life WAS savsd BY fvrniNg Jaeki There Ar,
some curious episodes Ia the his,ory Of our carl,
settlements but who would think OF vepturins
life upon turning Jack.--Mm.phi, Eaei.