The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-04-18
SELECT TALES.
THE BLACKSMITH'S TRIAL.
A SCENE IN A WE >TERN COURT.
M A. c. BURDICT.

In the fall Of 1s4o, was travelling in
the West on business. left the Missis-
sippi steamboat at Columbia, KY, hav-
ing made up mv mi I'd to travel by land
as far as Muhlenburgh county, where
would strike the Green River far enough
to the Northuard to take one of the small
fiat boats for the Ohio.
Late one evening arrived at the town
Of NJ, intending to take the stage
from there on the next morning. The
bar room Of the tavern was crowded with
people, and noticed that large numbers
Of the citizens were collected about the
street corners, appearing to be discussing
some matter Of more the, usual interest.
Ofcourse became curious to know the
cause Of all this, and at the first favorable
opportunitr | asked the landlord. lie
gszed at me for = moment in silence, "A nd
then with an OMNIBUS shake Of the head,
he gave me to understand that a most
dreadful thing had happened, but before
he could explain TO me what it was, he
was called away to attend to some other
business.
soon found, however, that the dread i.
fu' thing" was the subject Of conversation
all around me, and, by simply listening,
gained an insight into the mystery. Ii,
seemed that there was to 10 trial for
murder there on the next day, and that
the criminal Was y young blacksmith, who
had boon born and brought up in the
town, and who, until tue present ii ne,
had borne a character above reproach.
l endeayored TO fnj out tile particulars
but could ascertain but little upon which
to depend, for different people gave differ
sut accounts, and all who knew anything
OF the matter were too much excited to
speak calmly. Tho murder had trans
Pired about week before, and conse-
quently the event Was fresh in the minds
Of the people.
Tho only facts that came to me upon
which could rely,wero that middle ,ged
man, named Mathew Hampton, had been
robbed and murdered, and that Abel Ad-
ANS, the young blacksmith had been ar.
rested for the crime, and would tc tried
on the morrow. Some said that the mur-
dered mans money, Ito the amount Of o
Yer $2ooo) had been found upon the
young mans person, but others denied
this statement. Yet all sympathised with
the prisoner, he was beloved 10y all his
townsmen and but few Of them could be.
levs the reports that had crep. into circu
laiion.
As was in no particular haste, | re.
solved to remain in NJ until the tria!
had come of, so | erased my name f ON
the stage Look, where hal placed il,
and informed the host Of my determine
ton.
On the following morning y, An early
hour the people began to flock towards
the court house; and saw that il wou ID
secure place ! must join the crowd. !
did so, and at length found myself within
the building, and as good fortune would
have II. made stand near the prisoners
box. Ten o'clock was the hour f1el 70,
opening tue court, and before that time
every standing place outside the dock was
Oiled. Stsgings we's erected upon the
outside under the windows, but these two
were crowded. At the appointed time
The court came in, and the prisoner was
conducted 10 tue box. said prisoner wa.
not moro than Ave and twenty years o.
age. lie possessed one Of the most pleas.
ang countepances | ever saw. It was one
ofgood naiase---jus, sach one as is un.
hesiiatingly taken rs tie index Of pure
aud generous soul. lie was stout, a,h.
iet'c man, and carrie,I the palm q, every
wrestling match in the county,
thought within myself tina, man !. nc
murderer. And yet we know not to wba,
sx'remitiss man may be driven. Youn.
Adams was quite pale, and his neither
hP qaivered ms he found the gaze Of III,
malli,ude fixed on him: but bis eyes wer,
bright and quick. but not defiant, vel
bold and hopeful in their deep blue Iich,
The Trial commenced. The complain,
was clear aud distinct, setting forth ,l,
fact that the prisOner, Abel Adams, adid
with psalice atorethoag:l, kill, etc. on
such day, one Mathew nsmp,on-- IN