The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-07-20
al stcllanp. y J..
Remarkable Case of Crime and Convic-
lion.


lion.
A little more than fifty years ago
man by the name of Henry Thompson
called at the residence of John Smith,
residing in retired part of England.
and requested nights lodging This
request was readily granted, and the
stranger having taken some refreshments,
retired early TO bed, desiring that he
might be awakened bctmes in the morn
ing When the servant who was ap-
pointed to call him entered the room for
that purpose, he found him perfectly
dead On examining his body no marks
of violence appeared, but his countcn-
ance looked extremely natural. The sto-
ry of his death soon spread among the
nea ahbors, and enquiries were made as
to who he was, and what was the cause
of his death.
Nothing certain, however. was known.
He had arrived on horseback, and was
seen passing through a neigbboring vii
lagc about an hour before he reached
the house where he came to his end -
And then as to the manner of his death
so little could be discovered that the jn-
ry who were summoned to investigate
the cause, returned verdict-"Died By
visitation of Cod" When this wa.
done, the stranger was decently buried
Days and weeks passed on, and but
little further was known Suspicion oX
istcd that foul means had FASTENED tho
strangers death. Whispers to that cf
feet were expressed, and in the minds oi
many, Smith was considered the guilty
man. His former character had not
been good lie had always lived loose
and irregular life, involved himself il
debt by his extravaganza, and at length
being suspected of having obtained nor.
ey wrongfully, he suddenly fed from
town. More than ten years, however
had elapsed since his return, durin!
which he had lived at his present resi-
lencc, apparently in good circumstances
and improved character. His former lif
was remembered. and suspicion at ono,
fastened upon him.
At the expiration of two months,
gentleman one day stopped for the pur
, pose of making inquiry respecting th
stranger who had been found dead in hi
thor of tho man Tho horse and clotbc
of the unfortunate man still remained
and wcrc ot once rccognizoJ os hovin,
BELONGED to his brother The bodv wa
taken up,and though considerably chang
ed. bore a strong resemblance to him :
Uo now folt authorized to ascertain.
possible. the manner of his death. II
+ nroceedcd therefore 10 investigate III
circumstances as well os he was able :
AT lonptL he made known 10 tho mari
troto Of the district the inflammation h
had collected and unon tho STRENGTH {
this smith was tokcn to ;o;l 70 he ,r;o
for thc murder of Henry Thomnson
The celebrated Lord Mansfield W,
4 then ON the bcneh. Tie CHARGED Nh
Grand ;urv to he cautious rs To findinr
: Bill AGAINST the nrisoner The ovidone
of his cuilt. if anv. MIGHT be small A
II n future time il might he creator mo,
information MIGHT he obtained an
r sbould the Jury now find n bill again,
l. him. and he be acquitted. he could M
d be again molestcd whatever testimor
! might rise up against him. They di
: however find a bill against him. but
was bv n majority Of only one I'll
time Of trial at leneth arrived and Smii
p was brought into court and placed at II
bar A ereat crowd throngod the rool
eager TO Sec the nrisoner and hear Il
trial. He himself oppeared firm al