Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-04-27
Correspondence of the Cincinnati Gazette. ]
THE TRIAL OF THE WARDS.
ELIzARrrHrnws- Ky

LLi@ADEAhAOWN, h1-s
This case was called yesterday morn
ing, and most of the forenoon spent in
impanneling a jury. Of 63 men sum-
moned, 81 had formed an opinion
Every man that would say he had formed
no opinion was accepted, and there was
no challenge on either side. A sever
ance was granted, and Mat. F. Ward is
only on trial. He is in very feeble
health and looks miserable. One of his
legs is all shrunk up with rheumatism,
he looks thin and pale, with a hectic
flush on his cheek. In addition, he is
now suffering from severe pain in the
head, to which he has to apply wet
cloths while in the court room He has
evidently slept on no bed of roses for
the past few months. His wife has
shared his sorrow with him in the Jail,
and sticks by his side in the court room,
with unmistakeable marks of anguish
stamped on every feature of her counte-
nance. Judging from her appearance,
she is full as miserable as Mrs. Butler,
since the melancholy event which sent
the husband of one to the grave, and of
the other to the jail.
The entrance of the Ward family
into the court room, yesterday morning,
was most touching scene. The sobs
of the ladies brought tears into the
sternest eyes. All the associations were
the most melancholy, whether we con-
slider the cause, the result, or the past
and present condition of the parties.
But four witnesses have as yet been
examined. They were all boys in the
school, and testify to the same general
facts-that Mat. F. and RobertJ. Ward
came in and inquired for Mr.. Butler
that Butler came out of his recitation
room and advanced toward them,-that
Nat. F. made some inquiry of Butler,
and Butler asked him into his room and
he would there explain,-that Ward re-
fused to go, and said the matter must
be settled therc,-that after one or two
more questions and answers, Ward
called Butler a liar,-that then Butler
raised his arm and made step towards
Ward, at the same time Ward fred
pistol, Butler fell immediately,-that
Nat. Ward drew another pistol, and
Robert ]. Ward a knife, and cried,
stand of,--that the Wards then went
out, Butler arose, staggered few steps
and was assisted by the boys to dwelling
near.
This reveals the point on which the
defence will rest-self-defence. The
raisingof Buffers arm will be construed
into an attack against which Ward had
a 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 Covington, replies
with equal spirit. c.
The correspondent of the Louisville
Journal gives the following report of
the progress of the trial made on We'd
nesday:
The trial of the Wards made rapid
progress on Wednesday. The testimo-
ny on the part of the Commonwealth
was closed at about O'Clock P. NJ,
and then quite number of Witnesses
ior the defence was called to testify as to
the general character and demeanor of
Mr.. Ward, prior to the killing Of Mr.
Butler. 1t is understood that a nrettv
large number of witnesses, who are e,-
pected to testify on various points. will
be called for the defence TO-DAY. I
think the impression is, that the speeches
of the council will commence Tomorrow