Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1854-09-07

and he was0 fully committed. Th
whole community had judged hin
aud in their minds he stood con
demned. / was not present at tn
examination. His counsel on tha
occasion, was one of The windy ant
ignorant pettifoggels with which tn
country abounds, and no attempt hat
been made at a substantial deieuce
The day after Rawson's committa
10 Jail, | was seated in my Office read
ing from the morning paper a de
tailed account of the shocking mur
der,'' committed by him, when a gen
tie knock aroused my attention. Or
opening the door a woman, some
thirty years of age and of prepos
sessing appearance, entered. She
was pale-very pale. Her eyes bole
evidence Of recent weeping, and hel
whole countenance betokened deep
melancholy. Indeed | have seldom
seen any person exhibit more touch
inc picture Of sadness. She took
the seat profered her, and waited
with more than usual interest to hear
che object of her visit.
This is Mr.. Pendegrass, | pre-
sume,' she began.
I nodded assent.
Il am the wife Of Rawson.'
| understood at once the cause OF
her sorrow and the object OF her call
upon me. A moment before, | le-
garded her lsasband with horror. !
had taken the newspaper account as
the true one, and aequiesced in the
anpellation of "murderer," f" which
had been applied to him. | was now
inclined to look upon the transaction
differently. My Indignation altered,
and | really hoped, for the sake of
the interesting woman before me
that there might be some defence
for her husband.
This is a sad case" replied, q
fear your husband wi i'll find it difficult
to establish his Innocence.
80, sir. | fear(so too; every one
believes him guilty., and yet | know
he cannot be; he IS incapable Of
committing such crime.
81 hope so, my dear madam, ]
hope so; but are you acquainted with
he facts in t lle case?'
Il am not, only know that he
assured me Of his innocence; and L
believe him. | came for you to go
md visit him in prison; he will tell
you all and be able to convince you,
hat be never, never committed that
lreadful crime.
Il trust he may, madam. 1t.
would afford me the greatest satlsiae-I
ion; l will 60 and see him lmme-
lately
Taking my hat and cane, | de,
parted on my errand. On reaching
he Jail I was conducted to the prlso-
Ter. He was confined alone in a
strongly grated cell. The door was
opened, | entered, and we were
ocked in together. The only artl-
lie of furniture in the cell was
mall cot bed, on the foot of which !
lawson was seated. I stood a mo-
nent, regarding him without speak
ng. generally form an opinion OF
ome kind fom a person appear,
nee. The accused was man oil
strong frame and rather above me-
lium size. The expression OF his
,ouusenance was frank and open, and
lis calm blue eve met mine without
yuailiug. like a man conscious OF IN
locence. The impression he made
lpon me was favorable, and taking
lis hand, l said, almost involuntary;
aAIv friend, you are the last St man
would take to be murderer. "
eNor am |, thank Cod said he
With emotion; s'though people call
ne so. l am as innocent OF that
;lime as the child unborn.
His tone and manner increased
nv confidence, and | hoped that a
ali exposition Of the facts would
convince all Of his innocence.
| continued: s.AIr. Rawson, ! am
,ere as your counsel; whatever you
ell me will be as secret as the grave.
Bnt | must know all. / must have
!, full and true account Of the whole
natter from beginning to end. |
must know the worst, and without
such a statementI cannot consent
to act as your adviser
II