Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-04-11

AROUND ME, and by simply listening, | gained
an insight into the mystery. 1t seemed that
there was to be trial for murder there on
the next day, and that the criminal was a
young. blacksmith, who had been born and
brought up in the town, and who, until the
present time, had borne character above
reproach.
eudeavored to find out the particulars,
but could ascertain but little upon which
to depend, for different people gave different
accounts, apd all who knew anything Of the
matter were too much excited to speak
calmly. The murder had transpred only
about week before, and consequently the
event was fresh in the minds of people.
The only facts that came to me, upon
which | could rely, were that "a middle aged
man, named Matthew Hampton, had been
murdered and robbed, and that Abel Adams,
the young blacksmith, had been arrested for
the crime, and you'd be tried on the morrow.
Some said that the murdered mans money.
to the amount of over two thousand dollars,
had been found on the young mans person {;
others denied this statement. Yet all sym.
pathized with the prisoner. He was beloved
by all his townsmen, and but few of them
could believe anything of the reports that
had crept into circulation.
AS was in no particular haste, resolved
to remain in NJ until the trial had come
off, SO went and erased my name from the
stage book where had placed it, and then
informed mine host Of my determination.
On the following morning, at an early
hour, the people began to flock towards the
courthouse, and saw that if would secure
place must join the crowd. did so, and
at length found myself within the building,
and, as good fortune would have it, made
stand near the prisoners box. Ten o'clock
was tho hour fixed for the opening of the
court, and before that time every standing
place outside the dock was filled. Stagings
were erected upon the outside under the
windows, but these, too, were crowded.
At the appointed time the court came in,
and the prisoner was conducted to the box.
Said prisoner was not more than fve.and-
twenty years Of age. He possessed one OF
the most pleasing countenances ever saw.
1t was one of those bold, frank faces, full OF
courage and good nature-just such one
as is unhesitatingly taken as the index of a
pure and generous soul. He was stout,
athletic man, and carried the palm at every
wrestling match in the country.
thought within myself, this man is no
murderer. And yet We know not to what
extremities man may be driven. Young
Adams was quite pale, and his neither lip
quivered as he found the gaze of the multi,
tude fixed on him; but his eye was bright
and quick, but not defiant, yet bold and
hopeful in its deep blue light.
The trial commenced. The complaint
was clear and distinct, setting forth the fac'
that the prisoner, Abel Adams, "did with
malice aforethought," kill, ETC., on such
day, one Matthew Hampton-in the firsI
place by striking him on the head with some
bluntweapon-and in the second place BY
stabbing him in the breast, etc. TO all this
the prisoner pleaded "not guilty" From
the first testimony called up | learned tAe
following facts:
Near sundown one afternoon about &
week previous, Matthew Hampton stopped
at the shop of the prisoner to get his
horse shod. This Hampton was wealthy