The Empire County argus., 1854-12-23


| A VoIcE--We have noticed for some days past
a pamphlet in circulation purporting to be IA
Voice from the Grave, or the dying statement o.
James Logan" who was executed at Coloma, Nov
3rd, 1854, for the murder of Edward Fennel, al
Coon Hollow" and printed by O'Mera & Painter
132 Clay street. San Francisco. The "Voice" is
introduced to the reader by the confessor as fol
lows:
81 ask the reader to carefully examine the follow
| ing pages, and remember that while am writing
these lines know they will never be seen by the
public until am one of the pale nations Of the
dead, and beyond the reach of either the sympathy
or the censure of mortal worms like myself"
Ordinarily we might expect dying confession
to be free from an exhibition of malice but the
pages of this pamphlet, to our mind exhibit little
else than vndictive spirit On page 4th we are
told:
'IIad intended to kill Fennel my mouth would
have been sealed on that point knew the dan
ger of threats and then killing man as we'll as that
bright limb of the law, Tom Hughes"
Again on page 5th Logan says
"That my enemies have done me black injustice
God on high knows WELL and | am not afraid to
make my appeal to Him. That | went down on
the claim to kill Fennel, as stated by Tom Hughes,
is great fasehood as that street rolling and low
pettfogger ever uttered.'
Speaking of the non.attendance of his witnesses
lie says:
"'Their not coming was no fault of mine or my
friends at any time although so represented to the
court by Tom Hughes, Walton, and other liars"
Now who is "Tom Hughes referred to in the
foregoing extracts We have to say to our rea-
l. l.. IL. n u
Attorney of Ell Dorado county. He can be ssen al
most daily in the performance of his official duties
at his Office and in our courts Many of our cit-
zens witnessed his conduct on the trials of Logan,
we ourselves among the number on the last occa-
sion The "Voice' conveys to us, and we presume
to most of readers, the first note of censure we
have heard of this officer and in language better
adapted to pot house than a dying confession
AS an officer, Mr.. Hughes will compare favorably,
for legal learning, and an honorable and upright
discharge of his official duties with any officer in
the State
AS private citizen, Mr.. Hughes is highly es-
teemed among his neighbors, and we believe among
all who have had intercourse and business transac
tons with him.
ter even under political excitement, and will only
occur from fools or knaves, In IA Voice from the
Grave" it is shocking. To make this community
believe Mr.. Hughes 'street rolling and low petit
logger will require much louder'voice' than this
now before us. At page the Voice says:
"Aly story is told. | expect to die on the Sd of
November for acting upon the first law of Nature
that principle implanted in all animals by the Su-
preme Ruler of the Universe, self defence. | trust
that shall rise above the malice of my low and
wicked enemies, by the mercy and goodness of
God, through his beloved son Jesus Christ my Sa-
vour.n
Then in the next breath the "Voce" continues :
IL have noticed the conduct of Tom Hughes only
on account of his low vulgar, prosecution against
me- If saw proper | could show up his conduct
and another official not Buell. to the people of this
county, that would make the sovereigns stare but
so tar as | am concerned, and on account of an in
terested party, let the grave cover it,"
This Logan who sends forth the 'Voce from the
Grave" was indicted for the crime of murder by
the Grand Jury of this county. Mr.. Hughes pros
ecuted the charge as District Attorney and in this
no more than discharged his duty. Logan was
convicted by jury of his countrymen, and execu-
ted on the Sd of November last About the reve-
lation 'that would make the sovereigns stare' if
made, we know nothing of course, but think the
writer ofthe Voice" had the disposition, and would
have made the 'sovereigns stare if he could
We know of no good reason why the dead should
leave behind documents traducng the character
and name ofthe living Hence the notice we have
bestowed on this singular pamphlet, which we con-
slider little else thaa compound of falsehood and