Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-10-29
SeIrrt Ais:rIlnnq...
THE MURDERER.
AN INTERESTING SKETCH.

A little more than fifty years ago, a
man by the name of Thompson, called
at the house of Mr.. j. Smith, a resident
in retired part of England, and re-
quested a, nights lodging. This re-
quest was granted, and the stranger,
having taken some refreshments, retired
early to bed; requesting that he mig bit
be awakened at an early hour the fol-
lowing morning. -.9l,1 .,s,s..
When the servant appointed to call
him entered the room Tor that purpose,
be was found in his. he'd perfectly dead.
On examining his body, no marks of
violence appeared. but his eountenance
locked extremely natural The story of
his death soon spread among the neigh
hors. and inquiries were made as to :, ho
he was and by what means he came to
his death. 75., s. ..i,i, ,-T5 --ss,5-=.l5..=
Nothing certain, however, was known.
lie had arrived on horseback, and was
seen passing through a neighboring vii.
lage about an hour before he reached
the house where he had come to his end
And then, to the, manner of his death,
so little could be discovered that the ju-
ry returned verdict that he ''died by
aoviSitation fromr Cod When this
was done, the stranger was buried.
I ,,pays.and weeks passed on, and little
further was known, the public mind
however, was not at rest. Suspicion
existed that foul means had FASTENED
the. strangers death. Whispers to that
effect were expressed, and in tho hearts
of many, Smith was considered the gull
ty man. ~ <IS.It}5L
The former character of Smith had
not been good. He had lived loose
and irregular life, involved himself in
debt by his extraragancc; and at length,
being suspected Of having obtained
money wrongfully, he suddenly fed
from fhe town. e Il 7'i'.''' 't' a."
More than ten years, however, had
now elapsed since his return, during
which he had lived at his present resi-
dence, apparently in good circumstan-
ces, and with an approved character
His former life, however, was now re-
mcmbered, and suspicion was fastened
upon him. ''
At the expiration of two months, a
gentleman one day stopped in the place
for the purpose of making inquiries re-
specting the stranger who had been
found dead in his bed He supposed
himself to be the brother of the man.
The horse and clothes of the unfortu.
nate man still remained, and were know
inmediately as having belonged to his
brother. The body also, was taken up /:
and though considerably changei, bore
q strong resemblance to him. =
He now felt authorized to ascertain, if
possible, the manner of his death He
proceeded, therefore, to investigate the
circumstances as well as he was able
At length he made known to the mag
,istrate of the district, the information
be had collected, and upon the strength
of this, Smith was taken to Jail to be
tricd for the wiiful murder of Henry
Thompson. I6iGm fa-l.. d, = aa.t..'.. /
The celebrated Lord Mansfield was
tAeD on the bench. He charged the
grand jury TO be cautious as to 6nding
a bill against the prisoBef.;G The e9i-
dance Of his guilt, if net guilty, might
he small. More information might be
obtained, should he be acquitted he
could not be nolested again, whatever
testimony should rise up sgainst him.
The grand jury, however, did find a
bill, but by majority of only one.
At length the time of trial arrived
Smith was brought into court and
placed at the bar. 20 "A great crowd
throDged the room, eager and anxious
10 see the prisoner, and to hear the tri.
nj. He himself appeared firm and col
leeted.l Nothing in his msHner or ap-
5pearance indicated guilt; and, when the
,qaestion was put to him by the clerk
.saresyou guilty or not guilty 2" he an.
swered with an nnfaltsring tOngue, and
with q eonntensnce perfectly unehang'
ed. mot guilty" moi ESQ 4'i s-,
The counsel for the prosecution now