Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-08-16
Circumstantial Evidence.

A certain Dr., some years ago.
travelling in the West, became acquainted,
on board ola steamboat, with Mr.. Hamilton
who had been member ot the Legislature
from his district, and was again candidate
for that Office. After passing their time
pleasantly, and becoming we'll acquainted
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, whilS
he remained in that part fthecountry.
The Doctor remained with them a short
time, and then departed on land inspect
ing tour, into the interior, which was the
o6iect of his visit to-the west.
On eayingthe village on horseback, Ham
ilton 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 continued
with him until late in the afternoon, when
| coming to a number of branching roads.
they lost their way.
After iourneying on until dark, in hope
of reaching some house, where they mighg
obtain the requisite directions, they reached,
just at nightfall, the banks of 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 emi-
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 were two
roads, called the upper and lower roads,.
but the lower one was that which he should
take. He took the one advised, and started
with Hamilton. They went a short distance
together, when Hamilton bade him good
bye, and left him. But before he departed
\ the Doctor told Hamilton tifat he hIIesv11e
wasin embarrassed circumstances, and wished
to aid him if he could He offered 10 give
him $500. This Hamilton refused, but
finally accepted it 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 jo-
cularly, 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 silver 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 rifle, and i'm
mediately after deer bounded out before
him and fell dead on 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
his clothes, and gave them TO his sister &c
wash, desiring her to do it at once.
That day ne went round his village and
collected together his various bills, which lie
paid. At night, after closing his Office, he
stopped at the village tavern, on bis way tc
see lady to whom he was engaged to b.
married. Several persons came in while h
was there, and declared that a murdered
man had been found on certain road, -
: Hamilton Immediately exclaimed Heaven
it must be my friend the Doctorp
From the tavern be continued on his wa
to the house Of his betrothed, and Will
, there, her father came in with three polio
: officers who arrested him for murder.
He was taken to prison, and was told til
t circumstances that led to suspecting him.
: He was told that it was known he had le
: town with the doctor, and was the last PEI
4 son seen with him that he had been in diff
o culties before his return, but had on that da
: paid all his debts-that his pistol and b
If breast pin had been found beside the bod
/ Of the murdered doctor; that knife, wit
o the doctors name on it, was found in h
5, pocket; that he had pretended to lose b
1t way in country which was well known
him; and, finally, that he had come hon
W with blood stains on his clothes, which
I'd had given to his sister with orders to wa
Id Immediately.
e. On hearing this story recounted, HamiltC
On threw up bis hands and exclaimed--th
I'd he was a lost man.
Irt He was tried, convicted and sentenced
re The day for his execution arrived, but Har
1g ilton was too Ill to receive the final action
re the law, and was respited. Before this re
ul pite had expired, Hamilton died in prise
I'D All these facts had of course satisfied Il
of public mind that the verdict was just, al
"a. that Hamilton was the mnrdefer-but abo
lie three years afterwards, one of the three nj
ke with whom our travellers had bivouacked
ed the banks of the river, was tried and conv
N ted in the far west of murder. Before
- execution, he confessed that he was the p
son who had slain the doctor-that he h
IRE misled him as to the road, and that he b
rn, stolen Hamilton's pistol, with which
I'M committed the murder, and left it by |
et- Doctors body from his holster during |
pre- night, and after he had heard in the cl
around the camp FIRE that the Doctor /
a money with him, and was engaged ia
h purchase of land.-Bdltimore Patriot