The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1857-06-10
l Srlrrtra StorQ.
AN UNEXPECTED WITNESS.
\ STARTLING COURT SCENE.

On my last visit to Mississippi arriv.
cd one pleasant Autumn evening ut the
village f Deepwoods. having come in the
stage that day from Moody Creek.
found the inn well filled, and learned that
the circuit court was ia session there. At
the supper table found the Judge and
some half dozen lawyers, besides the coun
" officers and numerous visitors who had
come Ia attend the trials. had some
business TO transact with merchant H.
the place, whose name was LrndUr WAL
lace, and made mp my minh to call up
on linn during the aveuiug. I knew
where his htore was, aud aiter tea walked
dowa to his place. The building was all
fast, however, and J turned my steps To.
ward bis dwelling. Knocked Il, the
dDor and NV sumuons was answered. hy a
black woman. asked her il Mr. Wal.
lace WAS at home. She lookel in;o my
face a few moments, a:II then burst into
tears.
Hes to hum, but he's dead shc sob
bed, with much effort.
| managed TO learn from the ncgrc>s
HAT Wallace had been murdered three
days before, and thai his murderer would
be tried on the morroS. Under such cir.
cumstances, could not disturb any other
ol the family, and having learned partic
wars, left the door and returned 10 the
Inn. There learned some further par
iculars touching the murder but those
who understood the subj ,ct fully were
busy, and WAS tcresd Ia wait un,il the
morrow for a clear knowledge OF the
case.
Though the murder had been commit.
ted So recently, the body having not vet
been buried. vet as the Court was in seq
sion aud the accused and witnesses on
h"nl the tia! was TO take place immed-
alclv.
On the following morning entered the
court room with the crowd, and the first
case which came was that of the murder
cr OF Landor Wallace. The accused was
young man, not over five and twenty.
named Edward Deman0n. lie LaI been
employed for several years as WaIlaccs
chief clerk, and was one OF the most cana
bic youths in the country. had some
dealings with him; and Ind learned to
love and respect him. lie was lightly
built, With a native pride, which, while il
gave him iirmncss and dignity, never
made his manner naughty or Over bearing.
lie was an orphan, Of French descent and
had been born and reared in New Orleans.
As he sat in the prisoners box could see
Ihm plainly. lie was very pale. aad
seemed to suffer much yet he did not
look like guilty man. could uot be-
lieve that he had ever committed mur
der. lie was too brave aud honorable for
that.
At length the trial commenced. The
witnesses came on and gave their tes,mo.
ny, aud my heart sank within me, as
found how strongly the tide Of circum
stances set against him. Ii WAS proved
that he wished 10 marry Landor WaIlace's
niece, young girl named Isabel Wallace
and that the uncle had objected. From
this quarrel had ensued, and the youth
had ieft Wallace's services. 1; was prov.
. ed furthermore, that Demailon had rhal
lenged Wallace 10 fight him a duel, and
that the merchant had refused on the
ground that lac could not consent TO meet
ene whom he still regarded in the light Of
soh' iheh VI WAS proved mat the
youth was very wroth at this, and that he
sworc Mr.. Wallace should EITHER fight or
suffer the consequences lie was deter.
mined TO have satisfaction.
On the evening Of the murder, the mcr.
chant started on horseback Tor Danton.
vile, and in half an hour afterwards, the
prisoner mounted his horse and started
alter him, saying. as ho leaped into the
saddle, that he would easily overlake Mr.. !
Wallace, And then he added, in pies
ence OF three witnesses, who swore TO the
words 81 can settle our trouble rs well
on the road to panionvilIe as anywhere 2
This was at six o'clock in the evening
At nine o'clock, n man named IIarroid---l
Dunk Hatrold, he was caIlcd--was com.
ing from lDantoayiile, aud In snlal! piece