Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1851-01-21
Life on the Turn Of a Card.

A friend narrated 10 us a day or two since
an anecdote of early times in Yves. Tenhes-
see, which we will attempt to relate even al
the risk of losing the graphic simplicity Of
his CONVERSATIONAL narrative. 4
Some eighteen or twenty years since, a
well known resident Of Tiplon county, was
put on his trial. charged with the murder ol
his wife. As usual in such cases. popular
feeling was largely against him, and all the
eloquence and ingenuity OF his counsel we're
required to make any impression in his IA
vor upon jury, which. however impartial
it might desire TO bs in The consciousness 81
sworn duty. could NOT butieel the waves Of
popular prejudice suFging in upon it. #
The case was ably argued. The counsel
for the defence made most vigorous and i'm
passioned appeals. The case was submitted
to the jury; and they retired TO make up
their verdict. Time passed, aid as the set
ung sun warned all of the approaching
night, the large throng 10 attendance, the
Judge, counsel, &c., retired. all anxious, :he
accused not the least so, 10 learn the verdict
of the jury, and some wondering that the
jury hesitaied Tor one moment to bring inf
verdict Of guilty,
In the meantime The jury had come to a
point beyond which they could progress no
farther. The appeals of the counsel for the
defence had not been without their inhu-
ence, and the jury stood unchangeably six
:or conviction and s. * for acquiiial. Some
thing had TO be done. In those days twelve
guod fellows could not be together for a
night. and sleep. Cards appeared mysieri-
ously from the depths Of sundry large pock-
els, aud exercises in seven up. euchre, and
poker were zeaiousIy commenced. Abou,
midnight one Of the r number, Col. P. pro-
posed that they should play game Of seven
up, the result TO decide their verdict. The
proposition was heartily and unanimously
agreed TO in all seriousness, and the whole
crowd collected around Col p and his op-
ponent, who proceeded to play the game on
which wa, staked Human Life. Col. P.
played 10 save the accused. His opponea,
played, and quite zealously, TO secure his
conviction. Their hackers, five fahd five
stood behind them. encouraging the ehampi-
ons and watching the game. dimiy seen by
two tallow candles, with the most intense IN
terest.
The game proceeded with very equal for.
tune, till both parties stood at six and six
II was Col. .P's deal; he dealt and TURNED
JACK. The prisoner was acquitted, and
every man OF the Jury joined in shout
Whicn started me whole village even the
jewellers in s.the Grbcery." Next morning
the jury went into court, and gave, 10 The
asIonishment of many, the verdict OF mot
guilty." The juryman who played an IN
successful game for human life still lives. a
much respected CITIZEN of this district. One
OF the counsel is a very distinguished mem
Der of the Memphis bar. and the accused has,
we believe. gone up to higher court; but
neither OF them nor any of the assembage.
nor the court who marvelied at the verdict,
eighteen years ago, have ever known that a
human life was saved by TURNING JACK
There are some curious episodes in the
history of cur early settlements; who would
now think OF venlp pripg life upon turning
Emqm er.