Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1853-03-31
TRIAL OF SPRING.

On Monday morning the 2lst inst, an
immense crowd assembled about the
Court House, blocking up every avenue
thereto, and filling the vacant spaces i'm
mediately in the rear and on the side of
the building, anxious TO get a sight of
the being who, for a few dollars, could
imbrue his hands in the blood Of two un-
suspecting and unohending women. The
crowd had mustered also in great strength
on Sixth street, where the prision van u
sually stops, but with no other purpose
apparently in view, than to crafty their
curiosity, by sight of Spring. The
Marsbal's officers, who were to take
charge of the prisoner, and convey him to
Court from the prison, apprehensive Of
being surrounded by crowd, resorted to
ruse to put the assemblage off the prop
er track of the prisoner. They succeeded
in their stratagem, and had the prisoner,
unobservea. by the populace, safely con-
veyed into the courtroom, and placed in
the dock.
The crowd then rushed into the avenue
with a view of getting into the Court
room. So terrible was the rush, that two
boys were thrown to the floor, and almost
crushed to death before they could be
rescued. Several men were more or less
injured, and one man was SO much hurt
in the leg as to be in great danger of
having ii broken. The jam to get into
the room was accompanied with the
screams of persons in distress, and the
large body of officers stationed at the door
had great difficulty in maintaining their
positions. They, however, succeeded, &
only permitted as many to get in as the
seats would accommodate.
The prisoner sat in the box quite COM
posed. He is large, stout man, and his
face, though puckered up little, has
trace of melancholy in it. His eyes are
small, and wear the expression Of being
short sighted, as they are at times half
closed. His nose is broad at the end, and
his mouth indicative Of frmness. Taken
altogether, his face is not bad one.
When the bill of indictment was read
to him, he listened attenti-ely, and an
swered mot guilty, without tremor.--
While the Jury was being selected, he
was all attention, and. conferred with his
counsel, j. II. Doran, Esq, as to whom
be should challenge.
The Jurors were all selected from the
regular venire District Attorney Wm.
B. Reed and VIM. B. Mann prosecute the
case for the Commonwealth, and Joseph
NJ. Dorkn defends the prisoner.
The case was opened by District At
torney Reed, in forcible and impressive
speech. During the entire delivery of
the opening by Mr. Reed, the prisoner
wore upon bis face smile that was often
sardoDic in its character. He is cold,
callous wretch, yet is not totally regard
less Of the issue Of the trial. His true
character cannot be understood while his
countenance is in repose; but when, by
any startling exposition in the bloody
drama, it IS excitel, the demon can then
be seen.
The Court adjourned at I o'clock, in
the evening, after the examination of a.
bout twenty witnesses. Springs son, the
principal witness for the State, was not
examined the first day.
An immense crowd surrounded the
Court House, but Spring was smuggled
into carriage through the back door,
unknown to the mob, and conveyed back
to prison.
SECOND DAY-On Tuesday, at about
half past o'clock, the main doors of the
Court room were opened. The rush for
seats was terrific. The hoarse voice OF
the Marshal's Officers were heard above
the confusion, demanding order, while
the screeches of those jammed against
the railings and sides of the doorway
added to the excitement. After the court
room became full, as far as persons could
be seated, no more were permitted to en-
ter.
Several witnesses for the prosecution
were examined, and their testimony was
of the strongest character.
Springs son was placed upon the stand
in the afternoon. lie is a manly, impress
sing all who heard him with his innocence.
He says his father had previously gone
to other houses for purposes of robbery
and murder, but by accompanying him,h
had restrained him. The boys account
is similar to what he gave on the primary
examination.
The Courtroom was thronged to sufo-
cation.
Young Spring was nearly three hours
on the stand, and his examination in
chief was not concluded when the Court
adjourned
The elder Spring, despite his efforts to
appear calm and collected, feels his situa-
ton keenly, and breads the result of the
trial. He says he sleeps comfortably,
and still declares bis innocence. Last
night, as he was entering the prison door,
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