The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-11-21

tive was known against him of criminal
character, vet he was known to be reck
less wandering fellow, sometimes trading
in slaves, sometimes dealing in horses,
and sometimes driving fat boat down
the Mississippi. He stepped upon the
and he gave his testimony clearly and dis
tinctly.
lie said he was coming down the road
towards NJ on foot and when near
the bluff he heard struggle, accompanied
by loud groans and entreaties. He sprang
forward and arrived in season to see the
prisoner leap into the saddle and ride Off.
The moon was shining at the time, so he
could not have been mistaken. AS soon
as he found Mr.. Hampton was, as he suppos-
ed dead, he started to go after help. The
murdered mans horse fed towards home.
so he could gain no assistance in that
way He had not gone far, however,
when he heard the sound Of horses's feet
and on returning to the spot he found
Simple and Jordan standing there.
| ptRlCi NitS IOSo-IuSo1iVhSo 'Si . HO'SiN-
w. but his testimony was not to be flawcd
He was very explicit in all his statements,
and at the same time he professed to feel
deep regret that he was called upon to
testify against a man for whom he felt as
much respect as he did for the prisoner.
At length young Adams arose to tell
his story. He spoke clearly and with the
tone of man who tells the truth. He
said that about an hour after Matthew
Hampton had left his shop, on the even
ing in question: he went to the sink to
wash his hands, and while there, he trod
on something that attracted his attention.
He stopped and picked it up, and found
it to be pocket-book, and on taking it
to the light it proved to be Mr.. Hanp-
toms. He remembered that after MIR.
Hampton had paid him far shoeing the
horse he went to the sink after drink
of water, and then he must have dropped
the book. The young blacksinith's first
idea, he said, was to keep the book until
Hampton came back, but upon second
thought, he resolved to saddle his horse
and try to oyertake him and restore the
money. Accordingly he set of, and when
he reached the bluff, his horse began to
rear and snort He discovered something
LAYING by the road side, and upon dismount-
ing and going to it, he found it to be the
body Of Mr. Hampton, still warm and
bleeding. He satisfied himself that he was
dead and started towards N for assis-
tance When he was overtaken by Jor-
dan and Bigler, the idea of having Iamp-
toms money with him, broke upon him
stunning force and hence his strange and
incoherent manner.
When the prisoner sat down there was
low murmur which told him that his sto-
ry was believed. But the judge shook his
head, and the lawyers did the same, and
the Jury looked troubled and anxious.
The prisoners counsel did all he could to
establish his clients, good character, and
also to impeach the character of Bigler,
but he could not refuse the testimony that
had been given in.
When the judge came TO charge the ju-
ry he spoke of the testimony against the
prisoner, and of corroborative circum-
stances. In regard to the prisoners
story, he said that it was very simple, and
sounded very much like the truth; but he
would have the jury remember how easy
such stories could be made.
1t was long after dark when the jury
retired to make up their verdict. They
were gone half an hour, and when they
returned the foreman by the hue of his
countenance told that the verdict was
false! All saw it, and / could hear the
throbbing of the hundred hearts that beat
i about me.
"Gentlemen of the jury, have you made
a virdict?"
I'VE have"
"Shal your foreman speak for your
"Yes"
"Abel Adams, stand up and look the
) foreman in the face. Now, sir, is bel
Adams, the prisoner at the bar, guilty Of
!, the murder or not?"
Harkl The first syllable Of the word
! Guilty" is upon tho foreman's lips, but
he speaks not Those who yet crowd
about the windows shout with all their
might, and in moment more o man crowds
, his way into the court room. He hurries
; up and whispers to the judge.
Henry Big!er starts up and moves to-
wards the door, but in an instant the hano
of the sheriff is upon him. All is excite
ment the most intense. Directly the mas:
at the door begins to give way and foul
men are seen bearing upon their shoulder;
large stuffed chair, and in that chair sit.
Matthew Hampton-not dead but alive
True he is pale and his lips move. Atlengtl
e the chair is set down before the bench, ant
the old physician of M asks permis
;. sion to speak. AS soon as this fact be
came known, all is quiet once more
> The physician said that neither of thu
, wounds which Mr.. Hampton had received
! were mortal, though he at first though
: they were. The blow upon the head ant
the stab III the breast combined to pro