Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-07-06
TO THE PUBLIC.

speak in the tone of a man confident OF
having judged correctly:-LOu. Jour.
TO THE PUBLIC.
1t is a duty l owe to myself and
friends to publish to the world my posi-
ton, course, and cause of action as one
of the jurymen upon the trial of Matt.
F. Ward for the killing of w. H. G.
Butler, and thus hope, by placing my
self in proper light before the commu-
nifty, to correct the false and slanderous
reports that have been so mercilessly
circulated against me since the trial by
some, too, who think ought to have
cherished kinder feelings for me than to
have given currency to such Infamous
charges without knowing them to be true.
As an honest man before God, l will
detail the facts in the case, if know
them, and l hope and believe generous
people will appreciate what l state in
defense of my reputation that has been
so ruthlessly assailed.
Before l was put on the trial OF
Ward, had not read one syllable in any
of the public prints, about his having
killed Butler. 1 had heard only vague
and indefinite reports about the melan-
choly occurrence, from which l could
not and had not formed any opinion.
had no reliable information upon which
to base an opinion; and no man can,
with an honest heart, say he ever heard
me express an opinion before the trial.
L knew nothing of the evidence in the
case, and could not from any other
source form an opinion. l did not and
could not have done so; such is not my
manner of speaking. 1t is true l had
heard the matter spoken about on sew
eral occasions, and had heard some OF
the citizens of Hardin county speaking
of the manner in which the county jail
was fitted up for Ward, and some Of
them objected to the county's paying
any expenses that might accrue for re-
pairs done for the accommodation OF
Ward. While the trial was pending,
and after the evidence was all taken,
both for and against the prosecution,
discovered part of the jury were for
the prisoner, and a few of them said
very little any way.
After the pleadings were concluded,
and the charge given by the court to
the jury, we retired to the jury room.
and very soon there was proposition
made by some one of the jury for all
those in favor of the prisoner to mani
fest it by holding up the right hand, and
eight of them Immediately showed their
hands. Failing in that effort, the next
proposition was made by R. M. McIn-
tire, by drawing three columns, and
heading them
Guilty. Manslaughter. Not guilty.
MeIntire and myself set our names
down under the head of msnslaugbter
all the other jurymen set their name:
under the head Of not guilty. We re.
NAMED in that condition about an hour
celebrating on the different versions o.
law and evidence given by the lawyers
when McIntire invited me into private
room. He then told me the odds were
too great, and he believed we had a
well go with the stronger party. Itold
him could not do that. He then tolc
me he should go for the prisoner, anc
he did leave me alone and turn over tC
the other jurymen in favor of an &C
quittal. The next morning we left oul
lodgings and repaired to the jury-roon
in the courthouse. told them / die
not feel willing to give up my position
that I was not satisfied about the evi
dence. I had either forgotten or die
not understand as they did, and if they
would send down to the court and ge