Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1855-10-31

iehco vi Iiic iiihiiy Spectators, asoenipieu I'D
witness the. finale of so important trial, and
in an able manner-for person wholly Hit
erate-stated briefly the circumstances in the
case, the motive that prompted him to com
NIT the fatal deed, noticed some inaccuracies
in the statements of the witnesses, denied
any participation in the crime on the part of
the wife of Haskins, and that self-defense
was the only plea he had to urge in justifca-
ton of an act that, according to the decision
of the jury, was about to consign him to a
felon's doom. The Judge then proceeded to
pass sentence upon the prisoner" Solitary
confinement in States Prison, at hard labor,
during the term of his natural life."
In relation to the trial we have not the
least doubt but that every thing was done
that could have been done to bring some cir
cumstance to bear upon the minds of the ju-
ry, to mitigate the severe punishment that
seemed to await the unfortunate prisoner;
but no alleviating incident presented itself to
screen him from the severest penalty Of the
law; and we venture to affirm that no prison
er could ever have had a more impartial tri-
al than did Jordan Turpin. His counsel la
bored zealously and untiringly in his Defense
infinitely detailing every circumstance that
could have the least bearing in his favor,
pleading in most eloquent terms for as favor
able verdict as conscience and the facts in
the case would permit; and we opine, never
was the fate Of any prisoner in this county
confided to the decision of a more intelligent
and impartial jury than that of unfortunate
Turpin; and we think it difficult matter to
find an intelligent person in our community
who does not think the verdict just one
and strictly in accordance with the reliable
testimony of the witnesses. So the fate of
Tirpin is at last decided; and as much as
any may regret it, we must consent to part
with him, never more to behold that visage
which has for so many years been familiar to
our citizens, ere crime had marked upon it,
so legibly, traces of corruption at heart. AS
man who dared to burst the shackles of
slavery and assert independence of masters
control, we honor him. AS a man possessed
of good natural abilities, an innate smartness
and tact that might have rendered him use
fnl member of community, Notwithstanding
his unfortunate social position, but perverted
the basestpurposes, we pity him. But as the
destroyer of the peace of the domestic hearth
and the murderer of an innocent fellow be-
ing, who, smarting under sense of injured
honor, had attempted to administer only a
merited chastisement, we condemn him.
And now in his solitary cell, shut out from
the busy scenes Of the gay world without,
never more to dwell with a delighted eye up
on a single object that gladdens the heart of
man, or renders life to him desirable, he will
have abundant opportunity to reflect seri-
ously upon the various incidents of his event
full life, and commune with his own heart in
relation to the motives that prompted him to
the commission of the various crimes imput-
ed to him, how justly his own conscience can
decide. Happy will it be if at the last such
contemplation shall lead him to true contri-
ton for the follies of the past, and ensure at
the last great day an acquital at the tribunal
of the Omnicent Judge of the Universe.
re- Lake Michigan has had another
scathing. Only week ago terrible gale
swept over it, and again on Thursday night
and Friday night another hurricane lashed it
into foam. Our numbering fleet have this
time suffered severely. The bowling of the
storm on Thursday night called loudly
for sympathy for those exposed to its fury
and early Friday morning anxious eyes were
watching the entrance to our harbor. AS
soon as it was light enough to see, we found
that three vessels had entered the harbol
safely. The schooner Julia Smith, next the
brig Susan A. Clark, next the schooner Mag
ic. On the north BAR the heavy sea making
clean sweep over them, were the schooners
Two Charles, Capt. Lalotte, Lady Jane
Capt Henderson, and William Tell, Capt
Steketee. Nine vessels and one steamer