Washington telegraph., 1854-08-16
Circumstantial Evidence,

n ceTtdiu LIT. --, Sone years ago,
travelling in the West, became acquainted,
on board of steamboat, with Mr.. Hamil-
ton who had been member of the Legisla-
ture from his district, and was again can
ddate for that Office. After passing their
time pleasantly. and becoming well acquaint-
ed with each other in the course of the trip.
Hamilton, on landing. invited the Doctor to
pass to his house in the village, which was
kept by his sister, and tarry with him, while
he remained in that part of the country.
The Doctor remained with them short
time, and then departed on the land inspect
ing tour. into the interior, which was the
object of his visit to the west
On leaving the village On horseback,
Hamilton accompanied the Doctor to show
him his way but becoming interested in
the conversation of his companion, and not
being particularly engaged at home, he con-
tinued with him until late in the afternoon,
when coming to a number of branching
roads they lost their way
After journeying ou until dark, in hope
of reaching some house. where they might
obtain the requisite directions. They reach
ed, just at nightfall, the banks of a river on
which they found the encampment of three
stout laboring wayfarers with their families
and wagons. They asked permission to
spend the night with the party, and spent a
portion of it around the fires, engaged in
conversation on their various plans of emil
grafton and settlement.
At daylight, preparations were made for
separation, and the Doctor received from
one of the three men the direction of the
desired road He told him there we're two
roads, called the upper" and 'lower" roads,
but the clover" one was that which he
should take He took the one advised, and
started with Hamilton. They went short
distance together, when Hamilton bade him
goodbye and left him. But before he de-
parted the Doctor told Hamilton that he
was in embarrassed circumstances, and
wished to aid him if he could He offered
to give him $500 This Hamilton refused,
But finally accepted as loan for short time.
He felt grateful for this kindness, and TO
reciprocate his good will according to his
humble means, TOOK breast-pin from his
shirt, and giving it to the Doctor said jocu-
larly. that he hoped to see it some day
adorning the bosom of some fair daughter
of the West In return for this, the doctor
took pen-knife from his~pocket, on which
was slver-plate, with his name engraved
on it, and, on parting, gave it to Hamilton.
Hamilton had gone but short distance
from the spot where he left the doctor when
he heard the sharp report of rife, and i'm
mediately after deer bounded out before
him and fell dead in the road. Hamilton
got off his horse to examine the animal. and
in doing So got the cuffs of his shirt sleeves
and his pantaloons and waistcoat bloody
He again mounted his horse and reached
home. AS soon as he did so, he changed
his clothes, and gave them to his sister to
wash, desiring her to do it at once.
That day he went round his village and
collected together his various bills which be
paid At night, after closing his Office he
stopped at the village on his way to see a
lady to whom he was engaged to be married.
Several persons came in while be was there,
and declared that murdered man had been
found on a certain road. - Hamilton
Immediately exclaimed Heavens it must
be my friend, the Doctor ~
From the tavern he continued on his way
to the house of his betrothed. and while
there. her father came in with three police
officers who arrested him for murder.
He was taken to prison. and was told the
circumstances that led to suspec.ing him
He was told that it was known he had left
the town with the doctor, and was the last
person seen with him that he had been
in difficulties before his return, but had ON
that day paid all his debts-that a pistol
and his breast-pin had been found beside the
body of the murdered doctor that knife.
with the doctors name on il, was found in
his pocket that he had pretended to loose
his way in country which was well known
to him and, finally, that he had come
home with blood-stains on his clothes, which
he had given to his sister to sh mmedi-
ately.
On hearing this story recounted, Hamil-
ton threw up his hands and excaimed-"I
am lost man."
He was tried, convicted and sentenced
The day for his execution arrived, but Ham
iton was too i'll to receive the final action of
the law. and was respited. Before this re-
spite had expired, Hamilton died in prison.
All these facts had Of course satisfied the
public mind that the verdict was Just and
that Hamilton was the murderer-but about
three years afterwards, one of the three men
with whom our travellers had bivouacked on
the banks of the river, was tried and convict
ed in the far west of murder. Before his ex-
ecution, he confessed that he was the person
who had slain the doctor-that he had misled
him as to the road and that be had stolen Ham,
ilton's pistol. with which he committed the
murder. and left it by the Doctors body.)
from his holster during the night. and after
he had heard in the chat around the camp
I = IL 4