Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1852-06-24

ldence appeared SO strong against the
prisoners that they were fully committed
! Tor trial, which accordingly took place
IN October 1915, occupying four days.
On the tria! 1t was proved that Stephen
i and Colvin were in quarrel that he
struck Colvin and Knocked him down;
that afterwards when asked where COL.
vim was. one Of the Boorns answered
that "he had gone where potatoes would
not freeze" Jesse confessed that Ste
phen had Killed Colvin, apd infinitely
described all the accompanying circum-
stances. Colvin's knife, hat, &C.. were
identified and perhaps the most remark K
able circumstance of the transaction was,
that during Stephens confinement he
| actually signed a written confession as to
his guilt Of the murder. The prisoners
were BY Jury found guilty. and sem
fenced to be hung on the 2sth Of Janu'
airy ensuing.
the popular sympathy was however
! enlisted in favor Of Jesse, and petition
in his behalf was forwarded 10 the Leg
islature. and his ssptence was changed
to that Of imprisonment for life in the
State Prison. A request of the same
effect for Stephen was denied, by ayes
AZ and nays 81. Stephen constantly
protested his innocence, and ssid to Mr..
Haynes, Il ana an innocent man this
you will know after am dead.' He
was impatient and wished delay of his
execution, in hope Of something inter-
vening to show his Innocence. This was
late ia October. ....
Soon after, Mr.. Chadwick Of New
Jersey who had read the trial Of the
Boorns, wrote a letter to Manchester,
stating that Colvin was alive and residing
in New Jersey. This information vas
but partly believed. and when conveyed
10 the prisoner, produced ashock almost
fatal to his life. In the meantime Mr..
Whelply, then residing in New York city.
but formerly Of Manchester, went in pur>
suit of Colvin, and by strstagem suc>
ceed in inducing Colvir to return to
Manchester. Still the people were in
credulous, and large bets we're made
that Colyn was not alive.
| On the 22d of December. but one
month previous to the expiration Of the
| period of Stephens life ,lease. Colvin
arri yed at Bennington. in company with
Mr.. Whelply. The County Court, then
in session, suspended business for some
hosrs, to gaze on the hitherto supposed
murdered man. On the evening Of the
same day he arrived at Manchester. -
The cry soqp was heard, "Colvin has
come :" and the whole town was in con
fusion. People gathered in multitudes
!, and exhibited great eagerness to get I
sight of the man. Guns were discharg
ed in token Of the universal joy. PEG
pie conveyed TO every part intelligence
of the unexpected arrival. The prison
door xas unbolted. and the chain ,takel
from the arms Of the prisoner. and while
as yet chainsd to the floor, an interview
with Colyin took place.
Colvin gazed at the chain, and asked
What is this for?' Stephen answered
BECAUSE they say l murdered yoH;' tt
which Colyin replied. You never hHr
me- Colvin paid but little attention te
bis wife. but seemed fond Of his children
and it was thought he was more iasans
than at the period he laft Manchester.
Our readers can draw their own re-
Elections from this narrative. 1t shows
we think, how many circumstances ma,
onspire against a man, and yet be full,
innocent. And it is not to be question
ed that many an innocent man has un
Justly suffered on the gallows by tn
Strong array Of circumstances. Nothing
short of the most positive and unmistak
able proof should ever induce jury I
+ pronounce man guilty. The maxim q
, Blackstone is worthy of the attention {
all jurors and judges-"All presumptiv
eyid enee Of felony should DO admitte
cautiously, for the law holds that it i
better that ten guilty persons should es
cape than one innocent one sufsr.'-
Equally safe j. the advice Of the excel
+ lent and learned Sir Matthew Hale
Never convict any person Of murder O
: granddaughter till ct least the body b
toSnd."
AlIectiag lncidents