Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-12-03
THE UNEXPECTED WITNESS
AN INTERESTING sropv

THE UNEXPECTED WITNESS.
AN INTERESTING STORY.
On my last visit to Mississippi arrived one
pleasantAutumn evening at the village of Deep
woods, having come in the stage that dav from
Moody Creek. found the inn well filled and
learned that the circuit court was is session
there. AT the supper-table | found the Judge
and some half dozen lawyers, besides the coun-
ty officers, and numerous visitors who had
come to attend the trials. had some business
to transact with merchant in the place,whose
name was Landor Wallach, aud I Inadv up my
mind to call upon him during the evening. l
knew where his store was and after tea I walk
ed down TO the place. The building was all
fast, however, and | turned my steps towards
his dwelling. L knocked at the door, and my
summons was answered by black woman [
asked her if Mr.. Walack was at home. She
looked into my face few moments and then
burst into tears.
s:He's to hum, but he's dead - she sobbed
with much effort.
1 managed to learn from the negress that
Wallack had been murdered three days before,
and that his murderer would be tried on the
morrow. Under such circumstances | could
not disturb any other of the family, and hav-
ing gathered from the slave the leading par
tcuars l left the door and returned to the inn.
There learned some further matters touching
the murder, but those who understood the sub
ject fully were busy, and 1 was forced to wait
until tomorrow for a clear knowledge of the
case. Though the murder had been commit
~.
buried, yet as the court was in session, and
the accused and witness on hand, the trial was
TO take place Immediately.
On the following morning I entered the
courtroom with the crowd, and the first case
that came up was that of the murder of Lam
dor Wallack. The accused was not over five
and-tweuty. Edward Demarton. He bad been
employed several years as Wallacl's chief
clerk, and was one of the most capable youth's
in the country. had some dealings with him,
and had learned to love and respect him. He
was lightly built, remarkably handsome. and
bore himself with native pride which, while it
gave him frmness and dignity, never made
him naughty or over-bearing. He vas an or
phan, OF French descent, and had been born
and reared in New Orleans. As he sat in the
prisoners box l could see him plainly. He
was very pale, and seemed TO suffer much yet
he did not look like guilty man. 1 could
not believe that he had ever committed mur-
der. He was too brave and honorable for that.
At length the trial commenced. The wit
nesses came on and gave their testimony, and
my heart sank within me as 1 found how strong
the tide of circumstances set against him. 1t
was proved that he wished to marry with Ian
dor Wallack's niece, a young girl named Isa-
bel Wallack, and that the uncle had objected.
From this quarrel had ensued, and the youth
had left Wallack's service. 1t was further
more proved that Demarton had challenged
Wallack to fight 4 duel, and that the merchant
had refused on the ground that he could not
consent to meet one whom he still regarded as
son. Then it was proved that the youth was
very wroth at this, and that he swore Mr.. W.
should sseither fight or suffer the consequen-
- he was determined to have satisfaction.
On the morning of the murder, the merchant
started on horse back for Dantonvlle, and in
half an hour afterwards the prisoner mounted
his horse, and started after him, saying, as he
leaped into the saddle, that he sswould easily
in presence of three witnesses, who swore to
the words, Il can settle our trouble as well or
the road to Dantonvlle as anywhere" This
was at six O'Clock in the evening. At nine
O'Clock, a man named Harold-Dunk Harold
he was called-was coming from Dantonyillel
and in small piece of wood through which
the road ran, he came upon the tody of Ian
dor Wallack, and at the same time he saw Ed
ward Demarton riding away from the spot
The moon was shining brightly, and he recog
nized the prisoner very plainly. de leapee
from his saddle and found the merchant sense
less, and bleeding freely from several wounds
Close by he found silver-handled bowle-knii'
which had been proved to be the prisoner
property. The knife was covered with blood
and the physicians had decided that the wound
had been made with it. The murdered mai
had also received blow upon the head that o
itself was nearly sufficient to kill.
This Dunk Harold was hard-looking custo
mer. He was stout, broad -shouldered man
somewhere about forty years of age,with dark
coarse, animal features and looked the perfec
villain. In defence fl was proved that Harol