The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-02-02
may, for i, has had The benefit of the bust.
ness for thirteen years. 4
THE SOUTH BERWICK MURDER.


The examination Of VIM. B. Smith,
charged with the murder Of Chas. F. Brews-
Ter, on the 26,h Of Angus, last, was COM
meuced on Monday Of last week. Evans,
Attorney General, and I. T. Drew, County
Attorney, for government; Thos. NJ. Hayes
and E. r. wiggin, E.qs., for defence
The trial occupied four days, and resulted
in the conviction Of the prisoner Of muir.
der in the first degree. $3.50 q
The prisolsr, on being asked by the
Court il he had anything 10 say why SEN
,ence should no, be passed upon him-af
ter some hesitation and apparent mental
conflict, and moments consultation with
his counsel, replied: e'
al hardly know whatto say. 1 never
was gully Of the deed. l know who die
the deed. cannot swear TO it; they neve
told me. I know he was 10 stay at ihei
place that night. I have some of hi.
clOihes'I 60, by gambling with him. 1 an
prepared for any punishment you may SET
Fl, to infict upon me-"
The Judge then pronounced sentence up
on the prisoner, as follows
"You ask for a merciful sentence.
cannot comply with your request. II !.
the law, not |, that awards the sentence
and have no power 10 change 1t. i
The position In which you are presen,ct
is one Of ~ appalling character. The les
simony presented appears 10 me, as It die
10 the jury, TO prove that you are guilty
although you now assert that you are limo
cent. Born and bred in State and unde
influences that would lead TO the eXpecia
ton that your life would be respectabl,
aud useful one, the testimony shows tina
yon carly commenced the use OF in,oxica
ling liquors that this was followed by /,
course Of licentiousnoss and that BY gam
ing. This appears 10 have led yop \
adop, The foolish and wicked opinion, ",ha
Won came up like lie trees Of the forest
and like them will go down !" ",ha, Their
is no hereafter" the result Of these
murder; the destruction Of the life Of
fellow.man, over whom you obtained al
influence Though his love Of Intoxicating
liquors. Tia, young man thus deprived @
life, commenced il respectfully, bui appear
soon TO have yielded 10 sbme Of he aam
vices which You have exhibited, and hi
bones are found bleaching upon the earl,
in All alder swamp, where you lief, him.
What All Appalling spectacle do these fact
present, How worthy Of consideration
How suited 10 warn no, TO indulge In sue
courses, not to entertain such opinions, nc
10 sci a, naueh, your Creator, not TO rejec
and despise his commands
iconjure you no, 10 entertain longer sue
opinions. Believe in God. Helisye in III
revelation He has made. Present yoursel
for His mercy. Seek the redemption III
has offered through His Son. Yield no, I
despair; there is hope for you. Guilty a
you are, He is able aud willing 10 save you
The happiness of this life you have forfeit
ed and lost. The happiness Of fulur,
lie Is not necessarily lost. I, is 10 be Sc
cnred by repentance, and The exercise @
faith In our Lord Jesus Christ. Thcpgl
you canno, retrieve the errors and crime
of your pas, lie, you can obtain forgive
ness OF them. Let then the remainder @
your days be spen, in preparation for a hap
py existence in future life.
The sentence which The law pronounce:
is, ,ha, you be hanged by the neck unit
you arc dead. aud ,ha, you be confines
BY solitary imprisonment and hard labor il
the States prison, situated in rhomas:on
in tho County Of Lincoln, until that sen
tence be- executed upon yoC. And ma
God Almighty have mercy on your soul.