Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-05-10
MATT. WARD ACQUITTED.

carefully perused full account OF the testiuho-
nv in the case, and we do not hesitate to say
that in our judgment a clearer case OF 'oiyaI
murder has seldom if ever been established in
court of Justice. The crime of Dr.-Webster was
not proved half SO clearly as that of Ward; and
what fattering JUNCTION, Jurors, who have render
ed such an outrageous verdict, can lay to their
souls, we know not. A simple history of the
homicide as proved, shows beyond controversy
the terrible guilt of the accused
On the second day of November, a negro of
Mr. Ward, senior, called at the school house
where Butler taught, and left word for the books
of the Ward boys (Robt j. Ward, Jr. and VIM.
Ward) to be sent home. This was occasioned
by the punishment administered by Mr.. Butler
to one Of the Wards the day before for some
wrong doing On the morning of the second
of Nov at about o'clock, Matt. f. Ward pur-
chased at gunsmith's in Louisville, pair of
pistols, and carried them loaded from the shop.
About 81 or 10 o'clock of the same day, and at
ter the call Of the negro, Matt. and his brothers
Robert and William went together into the
school house. Mr. Butler babe Matt. Ward
"good morning" very quietly and politely when
the defendant said 81 have a matter to settle
with you; who is the most to blame, the little
contemplate puppy who begged chestnuts and
lied about them, or my brother who let him have
them?" Mr.. Butler then asked Ward to step
into an adjoining apartment which was more
private, (they then being in the large school
ROOM saying he would there explain the matter,
the latter refused, saying here is the place to an
swer. On Mr.. BIS. declining to explain before
the scholars, Ward called him in loud voice a
Odd liar" and made motion as if to strike
him. The teacher retreated to escape the blow,
and then raised his hand Whether he placed
it on Wards shoulder or not is uncertain but,
at any rate, it was not laid there with any con-
siderable degree of force. The defendant i'm
mediately placed pistol at Buffers left side
and shot him. The wounded man exclaimed
"oh, my wife and child! My God am dead !"
and rushed from the room to expire in short
time in the sight of his bereaved and agonized
wife.
The foregoing is simple statement of the
case; and we ask how the guilt Of murder could
be more strongly and Individually proved? The
crime is of the most atrocious character; it was
cold blooded, and heartless. There are no en-
tenuating circumstances to detract from the
blame which rests wholly and heavily on him
been administered to young Ward, was slight
and as far as we know, was deserved. Matt.
Ward had no right to call Mr. Butler to an ac-
count for his conduct toward his brother; that
could only be done by the boys father. More
than this, it was not only highly improper and
ndiscreet for the defendant, to enter the school
house and demand reparation or an explanation
in coarse and vulgar language before the schol-
ars, but such conduct was highly aggravating
and grossly insulting; and had Mr.. Butler at
tempted forcibly to remove him, he would have
been justified. The BLACKLIST feature, however,
in the case and one which "leaves no room to
hang a doubt op," is the fact that Ward procu-
red loaded pistols and went directly with them
to the scene of action, and there on the slightest
provocaton, or rather on no provocation at ALL
aimed at the most vital part and shot down an
unarmed and innocent man. We have no words
to express our feelings respecting the perpetra-
ton of so heartless and cruel an act The tears
of the widow and the orphan have cried aloud
for justice, but upon the soil of Kentucky, whose
people boast of their honor" it has been deni-
ed.
The ground relied on for the defense, was the
accused's previous amiable disposition. This
was proved by large number of distinguished
and highly respectable witnesses But is man
to be permitted to kill his brother in cold blood,
without cause and with impunity, because he
has sustained good character before? A crime
is crime, whether committed by good man or
Il Ddu maIl, anu WHICH III Cdn Dc pTONeu, lHc gull
ty party should be punished. Ward was not on
trial for his pervious conduct, but for his wful-
ly killing, with malice aforethougbt, fellow be-
ing. This was proved, and this shonld have
convicted him.
1t has been stated in various papers, that the
influence of the Ward family would procure an
acquittal. Whether it has done so or not, we
think our readers can have little doubt. This
trial and acquittal of the prisoner is a msera-
BILE and disheartening commentary upon the free
institutions of our country. If wealth and fam
lily in this republic, can shield the guilty, who
has barbarously killed one in the humber, but
perhaps more honorable walks of life, what
should we not expect them to accomplish in
monarchial countries, where government fosters
an aristocracy, and arrays the rich against the
poor?
Matt. Ward is again at liberty-with what
feelings in his heart we know not. Perhaps he |
may boast of the bloody deed which he has CON-
mitted and consider it praiseworthy act, but
we think not. We cannot believe that he will
ever tread this earth again with a buoyant step
or happy soul. He doubtless will seek pleasure
and may for season appear to be cheerful;
but the remembrance of his guilty conduct will
always be with hint cannot be shaken off,
1t will henceforth be his constant companion, in
the light and in the darkness, in his home or in
the most distant part of the earth. The bereav-
ed widow and the orphan of his victim live
Their sorrows, and their unhappy condition, he
1nto - ,t.ro.o