The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1851-01-10

burgh, or some say Greonsburg, for the
alleged murder of certain friendly Indi-
ans, on tho Ohio River, there have been
diff rent versions, but all agreeing in
certain circumstances of romantic inter-
est which were said 10 have been devel-
oped in the course Of the trial, and like
some other passages in his life, bear
more the impress of fiction than the sober
details of fact. The account here given
for what it is worthy was current many
years ago among his cotemporaries and
acquaintances, some cf whom were said
IL be personally convcrsen. with the cir
cumsiances.
The charge was Of the gravest char
acter--the wlful and deliberate murder
of several Indians of tribe at the time
Of holding friendly relations with the
government. The evidence against him
was almost conclusive.
Jsmss Ross. who then stood at the
head of the Western Bar, and tie late
Judge Young, were chief counsel for the
prisoner. In case Of this kind, and at
a time when there still existed among q
larger portion of our frontier population,
a feeling of bitter hostility 10 their In
dian neighbors and quandam enemies,
everything depended upon the temper
and disposition of the Jury. All ad-
vantages we're therefore taken, which the
right Of challenge gave the accused, to
purge the pannel Of all such as could be
suspected of harboring impressions un-
friendly to the prisoner.
Among the first who it was deemed ad-
visable by his counsel 10 set aside, was
dark wea,her-beaten man, in whose mot
ley apparel the Costume Of the Indian
and white man were fancifully blende d {.
HIS beaded moccasins, and we'll fitted
buck skins, snrmouuted by closely
beled hunting shirt, sci off his manly
form TO great advantage; and yet there
was something repLlsive in his manner
not likely TO prc-possess stranger in
his favor, and which may have arisen
from habit of restless vigilance ac-
quired by those who have been long ex-
posed 10 the perils of hazardous life,
and which had impaired 10 his demeanor
the distrus,ful air of one who has beer
suddenly thrust into conpanions'lip OF
which he has not ,he best npininn. No.
was there oNe OF all those assembled
around that bar, who escaped the keen
scrutiny Of his unquiet eye.
You at once set him down as one oI
those exciteaple beings you will hear The
people describe as swell enough if YOU
let him alone''-harmless in a state oI
repose, as the powder horn at his side
yet few would venture to put his equan.
Unity to the test of a practical joke, as
there was lurking fire in his eye, and 9
curl Of the lip, which gave you an ink
ling that like the aforesaid born Of pow
der, it required but spark 10 produce q
terrible explosion.
"And in this wrath, nursing cot o'mountair
Was calm us her babe's sleep, compared
| with him.
His style and language accorded well
with bis stern md resolu,e demeanor, il
was brief, vigorous and TO the point
With some of his vices. he had also the
sterner virtues of forest life. He never
forgot a benef! nor forgave an iuju
~, until the account was fully ant
fairly seulel. Such is the slight sketci
left us of the strange being SO mysteri
ously connected with this trial, and who
after fulfilling his mission, as mysterious
1 ly departed. TO this man, ostensbly &
stranger to the prisoner, Mr.. Ross strong
|y objected, surprising he had discovered
about him sinister expression, whic
he interpreted unfavorably for his client
and earnestly urged tina. his name nigh
be sticken from the panel. To thi
proposal the prisoner as stoutly dissent
ed, alleging that he had been very differ
emily impressed with the disposition O
this man, nor would he give up the poin
though repeatedly urged to do SO.
: Tie result of the rial is well known
verdict Of scquittal met with the hear
ly concurrence Of people not dispose
,, to look too narrowly into the conduct {
: man whose prowess and vigilance ha
been the means of rescu;ng SO man
helpless families from the toniahawk an
scalping knife, and whose public service
: they we'll knew, had never been ade
quately rewarded.
After the trial, Mr.. Ross happening l
: meet with the man to whom he had take
groundless prejudice, and entering INF
a conversation with him, inquired if b
had not been acquainted with Cap
+. Brady, intimaiing suspicion that III
, latter must have had some reasons, bel
: known to himself, for retaining upon th
, trial man Of whose friendly dispositio
:, there was at least doubt.
J.. "Yes, I know Capt. Brady well," wa
k the rromp; reply, "and he we'll knew th'
| would have eaten my inoccasins rathe
i, than given in verdict that would hav
j. harmed q hair Of lns head. The ev
o ,lence agains, him was strong-too man
. l.-L,; (, ooncluoivo When ypa retire