Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-05-10
A Case Of Circumstantial Evidence.

and Ernest were merchants; Lewis studied
law, and practiced in his native place.
One summer day EFnest and George set out
on horseback for a.town about thirty miles CiT
where they hal business TO transact. Ernest
was weak enough 10 be fond Of diScoursng
with his friend on religious subjects, on which
they were Of different opinions, and lad Of
len had warm disputes, though George was as
irritable aud passionate aS he was obstinate
in maintaining his notions. urIng the iourn-
ey Ernest led the conversation to this unlucky
topic. They fell as usual INTO alteration,
which Was kept up till they reached the ina,
where they agreed 10 dine. The dispute was
continued over bottle Of wine, but with
temper on both sides and the travellers purSu
ed their journey. Ernest renewed the sub
iect of their former con"ersalion, and both
being elevated with the wine they had taken,
the dispute became more and more violent as
they proceeded; so that by the lime they had
entered wood through which their road lay
it had degenerated into downright personality
aud abuse.
Georges passion knew no bounds; uncon-
sciouS of wha, he did, he pulled out pistol
and presented it at his comp anion. The pi3
| tol went off and Ernest fell from his LorSe,
which frightened by tie report and relieved
from his rider scampered away into the woods
George, pale as death, Immediately alightrd
to assist his friend, who was weliering in his
blood, the paroxism Of passion was over, aud
had given place 10 the nitterest repentance.-
He stopped trembling to Ernest who just then
breathed his last.
Overwhelmed with dispair and anguish he
tore his hair, and afterwards gailoped back TO
| the village 10 surrender himself into the
hands Of justice as the murderer o ( his friend,
that.he might put speedy end to his life,
which was now the most oppressive burden
10 HIM. The officer 10 whom lie delivered
himself up, sent him under guard to The town
where the frenGs resided.
The body Of Ernest, whose pockets were
found rihed, was also conveyed thither and
inferred.
The legal proceedings against George com,
menced. He repeated his confession before
the judges and imporeG q speedy death. / i,
examination was closed, and he was in formed
that he was at liberty TO choose an advocate
10 defend him, as the law requires, but he
declined to avail himself Of the priv llege, aud
with tears besought the Court 10 hasten the
execu ZION.
Being, however again urged to appoint an
advocate 10 conduct his defenSe, he named
his friend Lewis.
cat :he same time" said he still, "there
needs no defence; wish only for death; but
| submit 10 the required formaity. My friend
may undertake the boOtleSS task, and thus
show his attachment TO me for the last time.
With profound emotion Lewis entered upon
tic m7't painful day that had ever fallen tC
his lot in his whole professional career.--
n Though he dispared OF being able to save hr
friend, lie determined Of course 10 make cyeI!
III ;th ,h's ,,;n,,, ha nhiao,a1 81 -, Frr.s,,
body had h,an cor,rn;, al n ,be oa, ,,b ,,i,I,,
onv nr.,.;on, iw,,nioi ,,v,,,;no,i,'r omJ Ais
Sect;on Tbe ;nl~as renI;eJ =, ~ tbis cers
mony seered nnHecessoIv and sune,anon.
as The mu,derer had yoluniariIv confessed th,
Iced: bur if he rhe odyocate) insisted on III.
examination of lhe body. il should he toker
up. By the desire of Lewis this was accord
ingly done. The town surgeons attended. an,
declared that as the bail passed through IN,
heart, death mus, naturally ensue. levi
wished to know if The hall was sti1 in IN,
body:'t,e surgeon sougbt for and round i,
uDon which the advocate sent for the nisto
with which the deed had been pernptrated
!, and ,r,ed IN Iron tbe hail into the bar,pI I
seemed TOO laroe-he accrrdinrlv tried !, ;,,ol
possibIe ways-StlIli If wnuld moi pn in Tho
T the bail could no, he fred Inv thai nIstol was
evident io every obgeryer. the iuJsee lnokaI
at one another and shook their heads -.
There was moi one nerson bnt had comnInt.I,
made nm his mind respectinv the puilt nr H.;
prisoner: but this circumstances ouite con-
fo,pd,d them all. The confession or tb,
NJ; .onrr m, de wi,bou, tie emnlovment or H., H.,
SlipL,rst fear or force. was corrobora,sd n,
svsrv circumstance thot had nravionsIv oon,
n ligbt.l The hall alone seemed "a nrnci,;, - !
innorence
Lewis began to conceive the strongest hone
ard his iufpemeni was ne,rIv ora5nor,,rr, "r,
| with the eyceSs ot h,S iov. lie nronnse1 II, -
| the nroceedingc together with fbe hoI, am.
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