Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1854-04-28
The Ward Trial.
we es,rao. lhe following Statement in relation

we extract The following statement in relation
to this case from the Louisville Democrat.
After all the efforts of counsel for the accused
taking the case as The defense have tried 10 make
out, and il is murder, by the law aud by the COM
mon sense OF mankind. The accused prepared
IT, means oil peTpetrating the deed; he bought two
pIstolsi took his brother with him, armed with o
large dHkknife entered the school roOm; COM
menced with violent aud i'll. ulting Language; re-
fused oil peacenble explanations; and denounced
Butler scoundrel and coward. The deceased,
they say, struck him, and was Immediately shot
down by pistol, which The accused had up this
momentum his pocket, with his hand upon it. This
is their own showing. and il is murder. But even
this is not true. W ard not only sought and pro-
yoked the conflict, but struck the first blow. This
Is the statement OF an eyewitness, and the dying
testimony oil the deceaSeL. The pretext TINT the
later struck first is supported only by the notori
GUS Barlow, whose testimony is believed by no
body, and by Robert Ward, whose own life de-
| ponds on his brothers. acquit:aI.
What the defence have 10 allege, is now fully
developed. Let them tell their own story, and
here 1t is-The accused prepared himself 10 go 10
Buffers school room TO settle a matter with him;
| he purchased two pistols and had them loaded,
put into his pocket, and thus equipped, he
was .eady; he goes in preference to his father,
because lie is OF the same age with Mr. Butler; his
his mother says, Matt, be calm; he replies | am
calm; his mother insists that he should take his
brother Robert along, (who always carries arms,
as he testifeS hmse he says there is no danger
| MIR. Butler is Just mani have only TO ask on
eSPdudhlouS anu ne gun give IT, lie starts on ms
fatal errand; on the way he tells Robert not 10
terfere unless ME. Sturgus should do so in behalf
OF MIR. Butler; he enters the school house, calls
Nir. Butler out of his recitation room, and asks
question III an imperative tone and manner; he is
Invited bY Mr.. Butler into his recitation ROOM in
bland and mild terms, with the assurance of full
explanation, and refuses to go. If you will not
answer me thai question:, answer me another, says
Matt ward, and proceeds i'll an exciting and in
sulting mtnner to PROFOUND it, with demand for
an apology; he then denounces Mr.. Butler Us
scoundrel and liar, in the presence of his own
school boys.
blow to the insult, and that Butler sprang toward
Ward with his hand, whlch.was proved 10 be
lame one and incapable nf inflicting an injury.
upon Wards right shoulder. One lad who had
fair view of the parties, said that at The same time
Butler aimed to grasp Wards right arm with his
left. Robert Ward, indicted as accessory i'm the
cnme IS allowed TO swear, anu testfes that But
Ter struck his brother twice, and all agree TINT th
lnstan. almost the pistol was discharged and But
Ter Tell mortally wounded. This weapon was
concealed, and every lad in the school called
TO testify agrees that Mat Ward held his hand in
his pocket, and never took it out until he drew OUT
the pistol and fred Take Robert Wards state
ment in all this wherever he differs with the olh-
ers, and you have the case upon which sworn
Jury are asked to aequit the accused. " as ever
sach presumption known since the DAYS of Adam3
A man enters his neighbours house, makes insuli-
ing demands III insulting tones, denounces him
before his own family as liar aud scounLrei, his
| neIghbor strikes him and undertnkesIo eject the
rnthan from his house liter he has offered an e.x
PLANTATION, and is shot dead with weapon bought.
loaded, AID prepared for the OCCASION: All this Is
confessed, and upon this the accused askel nm
acquittal.
From the Louisville Courier of yesterday we
learn the following particulars:
The appearance Of Matt. Ward during the
speeches of yesterday was that of an intensely
excited listener. He would frequently rise from
his seat, and with an eager look, gaze upon the
speaker, often moving his lips and twitching his
from great and oyerpowering nervousness
MS Recommendations jail are said TO be very COM
Portable and plain, with studious avoidance of
everything elegant or luxurious. The county
prison contains but one room, and that, previous
10 The reception of the Wards, was divided into
TWO by wooden partition. In one of these Robt.
J: Ward rs confined, and the other is occupied by
Matt. Ward and his wife. A rag carpet covers
the floor, while the furniture consists Of bed in
each with split bolton chairs and few shelves
Tor books and medicines. Matt Wards chiefem
ployment in confinement (said TO by those W ho |
nave visited hm) is that of hitting. Before lea
wing Louisville he had ailarge cedar posi- spitup
ana ted INTO bundles, and brought bring them d.
long with him. Since his arrival here he has " hit
Tied Up at least a cart load of wood.
on Monday morning Mr. Harris spoke ON the |
part OF the 1tion, and was to be follower
~ Governor Helm for the defense. and he BY Mr..
Gibson, These three speeches, it was presumed, /
would occupy the day; and on Tuesday, Messfs.
w ole, Sntienden and Allen were expected to /
a 10 me- me Jury The charge was probably given
me lnryis closely confined at night and DINING
sae recess OF Court, under the watch ofone oftbs
Snerns. II rs matter of common talk here thur
me lone of the Jurors say, that lie. had
itequenliy expressed an opinion that If the inty
nanss, ne spall be druitmed out Of The county.
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