Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-05-03
ELIzABETHTowN, April

ELZABETHTOWN, Aprli lStb'
This case was called yesterday morning. ana
most of the forenoon spent in impanneling
iurv. OF SO men summoned 81 had formed an
opinion. Every man that would say nc had
not formed an opinion was accepted, and there
was no challenge on either side. "A severance
was granted, and Mat. p. Ward only IS on uia''
He Is in very feeble health and looks miserable.
One of his legs is all shrunk up with rheuma-
tism, he looks thin, pale, with hectic husll on
his cheek In addition, he is now suffering from
a severe pain in his head, to which ne mas 10
apply wet cloths while in the court room. Ire
has evidently slept on no bed OF roses Tor the
past few months. His wife has shared his sor-
row with him in the jsil, and sticks by his SIDE
in the court room with unmstakeable marks OF
anguish stamped on every feature OF her counse-
nence. Judging from her appearance, she IS
full as miserable as Mrs. Butler, since the mel
ancholy event which sent the husband OF one to
the grave, and Of the other to the Jail.
The entrance of the Ward family in
the court room, yesterday morning, was
most touching scene. The sobs Of the Ia
dies brought tears into the sternest eyes. All
the associations were the most melancholy,
whether we consider the cause, the result, or the
past and present condition of the parties.
But four witnesses have as yet been examin-
ed. They were all boys in the'school, and tes-
tify to the same general facts-that Mat. F. and
Robert j. Ward came in and inquired for Mr..
Buter,-that Butler came out OF his recitation
room and advanced towards them,-that Mat.
F. made some inquiry of Boiler, and Butler ask
ed him into his room and he would there ex-
plain,-that Ward refused to 60, and said the
matter must be settled there,-that after one
or two more questions and answers, Ward call
ed Butler liar that then Butler raised his arm
and made step towards Ward, at the same
time Ward fired pistol, Butler fell immediate
ly,-that Mat Ward drew another pistol, and
Robert j. Ward a knife, and cried, stand off,
that the Wards then went out, Butler arose,
staggered few steps and was assisted by the
boys to a dwelling near.
This reveals the point on which the defence
will rest-self defence. The raising of Buffers
arm will be construed into an attack against
which Ward had right to defend himself.
Thos. F. Marshall occasionally gets up rich
scene to vary the monotony Of the testimony.
We shall see lively times should he continue
to progress, as Mr.. Carpenter, of CoviDgton, re-
plies with equal spirit.
The correspondent of the Louisville Democrat
speaks as follows Of Mrs. Buffers appearance
on the witness stand:
Many moistened eye remined the friends of
poor Butler of his tragical end, when his widow
came into Court. Her testimony was asked on
| iy on one point; as to her husbands despair Of
| life. The counsel for the defence asked no
questions. But there are sad hearts on the
other side, whose feelings ill-assort with the
glowing beauties of an April day. The crime
of murder or homicide and justice, which fol-
lows in its train, throw their appalling shadows
all around them.