Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-06-14
TRIAL OF "BRIsToL BILL.


Correspondence Of the Vermont phonix.
ST.. JonssnuRY, JuLe 9Th, 1856.
Mn Eprron:-The County Court is now holding
its session at Danvillc for the last time. Future
generations will wonder why Il was held there for
the first time Though near enough to be tho geo
graphical centre Of the county, "Danyie Green"
is about as easy Of access as "Newiane HIM. used
to be in the days when Court, lawyers, witnesses,
and clients used to tire their wondering eyes with
the Distant prospect Of hills pecpng Ger hills, as
they slowly worked their way up that exceeding
high mountain The people Of Windham County
discovered their folly and remcdicd It more than
twenty years agoi the people Of this county, IL
they saw their error, have no, rcmeicd II till this
year. But enough Of this, let the dead past bury
its dead
The present session promises TO be short and dull.
Every case from the Eastern side Of the County
was continued to the December term, to be tried at
St. Johnsbury. As nearly two thirds Of the bar
live in the Eastern towns, il may be imagined how
large a hole in the docket Is made by these contn-
uanceS.
The only case Of any general interest this term
is the trial Of "Brstol Bill" for the attempted
murder Of Bliss N. Davis. This excited great
deal Of interest and drew into Danyille great
crowd from all parts Of the county. Sipgularly
enough, the current Of popular feeling seemed to
be In favor Of the prisoner. II will be remembered
by most Of your readers that In June. 1850, Bill
was tried for passing counterfeit money. lie was
then in the heghth Of his fame a rascal by pro-
fcssion, and pretty decidedly intimated that be,
who had outgenerAllcd the police Of London, New
York, and Boston. was not to be checked by pet
ty Vermont court. But the court and jury were
Of trary opinion, and be was convicted and
sentenced to ten years Imprisonment in the States
prison. While the trial was still pending. he made
a sudden assault on Bliss n. Davis the States At
torney, with knifc-blade he had concealed about
his person, and inflicted severe wound within a
hair s-breadih Of the juguar vein. Il was for this
assault with intent to kill that he was now put on
trial
The prosecution was conducted by Z. A. cahoon,
Esq, States Attorney, assisted by Hon. Thomas
BARTLETT and S. b. Colby, Esq, Of Montpelier,
and $. W slade, ESQ.,, Of St. Johnsbury, appeared
for the prisoner The trial occupied two days
/ luz hftNhNN was AhN e7NAi SHt-lu~AnlNlt u
insisted that the extreme excitement under which
he was laboring, and the high state Of exasperA-
,lon into which he was reused, by what he consid-
cred unfair dealing the part Of the States At
torney. rs well as Of the court aud jury, such
as to deprive him for the moment Of his reason and
release him from responsibility for his deeds. Az
ter the opening argument for the prosecution wa.
made, Bill asked leave to address the jury, with
out prejudice to his counsel" Leave being grant.
ell, be spoke for about four hours, reviewing ia
very severe and seatbing manner the proceeding:
At the former trial, and claiming that be was un-
fairly and unjustly convicted. Both his counsel
also argued the case, but his speech did him NOR,
damage than theirs did good. The jury. af(er be.
ing out about hNeen hours, brought in verdict Of
Guilty" Il is reported that when they FRS
compared opinions, they stood seven for conviction
and Ave for acquittal lie was sentenced to sever
years Imprisonment, and as the term commence
Immediately he will be working out both sentences
at the same time.
/ Bill expects TO be pardoned soon for the offenc,
" which he first convicted. 1t is Questionable
whether this will not release him from imprison.
ment on both sentences. Under the peculiar cir.
eumstaaces Of the case II will have that effect, oil
no effect at all. P.Hw.