The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1856-03-13
THE
CRIMINAL WITNESS,

IL EYLyA%UD coDB, JR.
VpE the spring Of '48, ! was called to
a Jackson. to attend court, having b en-
engaged to defend Il young man who had
been accused Of robbing the mail. had
long conference with my client, and be
acknowledged to me that on the night
when the mail was robbed he had been
with n party of dis,ipaled companions
over to Iopham, and that on returning,
they met the mail carrier on horseback
coming fr m jackson. Some OF his com
p mons were very drunk Ind they pro
posed to stop the carrier, and overhaul
his bag. I he roads were very muddy at
the time, and the coach could not run.
Ny client assured me that he not only
had no hand in robbing the mail, bul
that he tried 10 dissuade his companions
from doing 20. But they would not ll'len
to him. One Of them slipped up behind
the carrier and knocked him from his
horse. Then they bound him, and having
tied him to a tree, they took his mail bag,
and made off into a neighDoIIng field,
where they oycrhauled 1t, finding some
FIVE hundred dollars in money in varI'
Gus letters. lie went with them, butln no
way did he have any hand in the crime.
Those who did it had fed, and as the car
rier had recognized him IN the party, he
had been arrested.
The mail bag had been found, as well
as the letters. Thoselcttcrs from which
money had been taken, were krpi, by or
der Of the officers, and duplicates Sent 90
the various persons 10 whom ley were
dreccd, announcing the particulars
These let ers had been given mt for ex-
animation, and had then returned hem
to the prosecuting attorney.
got Trough with my private PrcIlm,
inarics about noon, and as the case would
not come up before the next day, went
into the court IN the afternoon, to see what
was guing on. The first case was one OF
theft, and the prisoner was young slrb
not more than seventeen years II age,
named Elizabeth Madworth. She was
very pretty, and bore that mild, innocent
look, which We seldom find in a culprlt.
She was pale and frightened, and the m9I
mrnt my eyes rested upon her, plueu
her. She had been weeping proluseiy,
for her bosom was wet but as she found
so many eyes upon her, she became 100
much frightened to weep more.
he compl int ag inst her set forth
that she had stolen one hundred dollars
from a Mrs. Naseby; and as the case
went on, found that this Mrs Naseby
was her mistress, sac, Mrs. N, being
a weallhy.widow, living IN the town. The
poor girl declared her innocence IN the
most Wild terms, and called on God It
witness that she would rather die than
steal But circumstances were hard
against her A hundred dollars, IN bant
nCrc, had been stolen from her mistress 4
room, and she was the only one who hat
access there.
AT this iuncture, while the witness wa
upon the wilness-sland, young MAJ
came and caught me by the arm. liz
was a fine looking fellow, and biz tear
stood in lis eyes.
=! hey tell me you are good lawyer?
he whispered.
Il am lawyer answered.
i hen O!-save her! You can Ger
tainly do it, for she is innocent
IS she your sisterF
The youth hesitated and colored.
No, SIR he said, but - but
Here he hesilated again.
Has she no counsel! asked
None that's good for anything nc
body that'll do anything for her I
= save her, and I'll pay you all We so
in can't pay you much but l can ral'
I'D something.
reflected for moment | cast n
eyes towards the pri oner. and she was
that moment looking at me, She cauS
nv eve and the volume OF humble, pr".
erful enucaly, read in those large tea
full orbs, resolved me in u moment.
w" nv soul knew that the girl was Inn
cent; or, at least | firmly believed SO
and perhaps | could help her, arc
-. and went to the girl, and asked her Il s.
i'' u.s. wis ed me o defend her. she sad ,t
al Then informed the cour. hat | was te
Nv DIV to enter into the Csc, and | was Il
~" y, milted al once. The loud mulmuroi
- islaction which ran through lhr roc
quickly told me where the sympa.hIeS
bic The people were.
far asked for moments cessation, Il
ur. [ might speak with my client ",
and SAL down by her side and asked Il
% state to me candidly the whole cast
us. She told me she had lived with Mrs. Ma
ira. ov nearly Two years, and that during
osc that time, she had never had any tfou'
nm- before. About two weeks ago, she sa
her mistress los: a hundred dollars.
-. 'Shc missed it from her drawer,
nmS' m eirI told mt, 'and she asked me about
"P, but / knew nothing oft. The next thl
IS '.l1 | knew, Nancy Luther told Mrs. Nasr
""0 that she saw me take. money from
drawcr-that she watched me 'hron
!. tn, key-hole, Then they went to
,ic' trunk, and they found twenty five doll
int Of the missing money there. bu'
hu, sir, | never took it-and somebody
rht put that money there!
Q" : then asked her if she suspected
one.
with Il don't know she said, who CO
L..