Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-09-25
,Mun MURDERED DoMNIE:n

lege Aberdeen, incurred The displeasurc OF
the humbler citizens, he was assailed with
the question WVho murdered Dowuie F'-
Reply and rejoindcr generally brought on n
collision between "town and gown" al
though the young gentlemen were accused
of what was chronologically impossible
People have a right 10 be angry at being
s,igmatized as murderers, when their accu-
sers have probability OIL their side bni the
"iaking on'' of Downie occurred when the
gownsmen, so maigned, were in swaddling
clothes.
But there was time, when to be branded
as an accompice in the slaughter of Richard
Downic, made his blood run to the cheek OF
many a youth, and sent him home TO his
books, thoughtful and subducd. Downie
was saclis or ianitor al Marischal College
One of his duties consisted in securing the
gate by a certain hour, previous to which all
the students had to assemble in the common
hall, where a Latin prayer was delivered by
the principle. Whether in discharaing this
function, Dowuie was moro rigid Than his
predecessor in Office, or whether he became
s,rcer in the performance of ii at one time
than another, cannot now be ascertaincd !:
but there can be no doubt that he closed the
gate with austere punctuality, and that those
who were not in the common hall within
minute of tie prescribed time were shut out,
and were aficrwerds reprimanded and liued
by the principle and professors. The stu
dents became irritated at this striciness, and
took every petty means OF annoying the sac
rist he, in his turn, applied the screw at
other points Of academic routine, and fierce
war soon began 10 range between the collie
gians and the humble functionary. Downie
took care that in all his proceeding he kept
within the strict letter Of the law ; but his
opponents were not so careful, and the de-
cisions of the rulers were uniformly against
them, and in favor of Dowuie. Reprimands
and fines, having failed in producing due
subordination, rns,ication, suspension, and
even the extreme sentence Of expulsion had
10 be put in force and, in the end, law and
order prevailed. But secret and deadly
grudge continued to be entertained against
Downie. Various schemes Of revenge were
thought of.
Downie was, in common with teachers
ard taught, enjoying The leisure of the
short New.YearS's vacation-the pleasure
being no dOub, greatly enhanced by the an
aunoyances TO which he had been subjected
during the recent bckcrings-vhen, as he
was one evening seated with his family in
his official residence al the gate, a messen.
ger informed him that a gentleman at a
! neighboring hotel wished to speak with
him. Downie obeyed the summons, and
was ushercd from one room into another, til
al length he found himself in large apart
ment hung with black, and lighted by {
solitary candle. After waiting for some
in this strange place, about fifty figures
also dressed in black, and with black mask
on their faces, presented themselves. The!
arranged themselves in the foIm of court
and Downic, pale with terror, was given Il
understand he was about 10 be put on hi
trial.
a Judge took his seat on the bsnch !;
clerk and public prosecutor sat below jur,
was empauelied and witnesses aud specta
tors stood around. Downle al first set dow
the whole affair as a Joke but the proceed
ings were conducted with such perssten
gravity, that, in spite Of himself, ne bcga
TO believe in the genuine mission of the aw
full tribunal. The clerk read an indictmeu
charging him with conspiring agains the lit
critics of the students witnesses were eN
amncj in due form, the public prosecute
addressing the jury, and the Judge summe
up.
"Gentlcmen," said DOwnie, ''rhe joke ha
been carried far enOugh-il is getting latt
and my wife and children will be gettin
anxious about me. If | have been too sri,
/ with you in time past, | am sorry for
, and assure you will take more care
, iuture.n
; "Geullemen of the jury,n said the judg
, without paying the slightest attention 10 III
appeal "consder your verdict and if yC
} wish 10 retire, do So"
? The Jury retired. During their absent
= the most profound silence was observed AT
r except renewing the solitary candle tn
burnt beside the Judge, there was not Il
[ slightest movement.
The jury returned and recorded verdi
of GUILTY.
The Judge solemnly assumed large bla'
A cap, aud addressed the prisoner
T "Richard Downe The jury have una'
n mousy found you guilty of consprlng asa'"
k the inst liberty aud mmunlles oil the 81
= denis of Marischal College. lon have wa
tonly provoked and insul'ed those lnoilensl'
# lieces for some months, and your puni'
o ment will assuredy be condign. You mu
d nrepare for death. In fifteen minutes Il
Y sentence of the court will be carried In
% effect.
'e The Judge placed his watch on the benc
y, block. an axe, and bag of sawdusl, we
ID b,oupbt into the centre of the room. i
o' ure more terrible than any that had yet a
reared came forward, and prepared 10
,. the part of doomsler'
IS. 1t was now past midnight there was
ed sound audible save the ominous ticking