The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-06-05
An Unexpected Witness.-A Startling
Court Scene.


Court Scene.
On my last visit to Mississippi arrived
one pleasant Autumn evening at the village
of Decpwoods, having come in the stage
day from Moody Creek. l. found the inn
well filed, and learned that the circuit
court was in session there. At the sup
per table found the Judge and some hal
dozen lawyers, besides the country officers
and numerous visitors who had come to at.
tend the trials. had some business to
transact with merchant in tho place,
whose name was Landor Wallace, and |
made up my mind to call uron hun during
the evening. l knew where his store was
and after tea walked down to his place
The building was all fast, however, and
turned my steps towards his dwelling. ]
knocked at the door and my summons was
answered by black woman. Isaskcd her
if Mr.. Wallace was at home. She looked
into my face a few moments, and then
burst into tears.
Hes to hum, but hes dead" she sobbcd,
With VII: ii.ucil effort.
managed to learn from the negroes
that Wallace had been murdered three
days before, and that his murderer would he
tried on the morrow. Uunder, such cir
cumstances, could not disturb any others
of the family, and having learned the particu
lars, | lett the door and returned to the Inn.
There learned some fnrthcr matters touch
ing the murder, but those who understood
the subject fully were busy, and I was forced
to wait until the morrow for a clear knowl
edge Of the case.
Though the murder had been commit.
ted so recently, the body having not yet
been buried, yet rs the court was in scss-
ion and the accused and witnesses on hand
the trial was to take place Immediately.
On the following morning I entered the
court room with the crowd, and tho first
case Which came was that of the murderer
of Laudor Wallace The accused was a
young man, not over five and twenty, nam
ed Edward Demarton. lie had been en-
ployed for several years as Wallare's chief
clerk, and was one of the most capable
youths in the country. had some deal
ings with him; and had learned to love
and respect him. He was lightly built,
with native pride, which, while it gave
him firmness and dignity, never made his
manner naughty or oSerbcaring. lie was
an orphan, Of French descent and had been
born and reared in New Orleans. As lie
sat in the prisoners box could see him
plainly. lie was very pale, and seemed
to sntfcr much Vet he did not look like
a guilty man. could not believe that he
had ever committed murder. lie was
too brave and honorable for that.
Yt,, Sr;,1
witnesses came on and gave their testimony
and my heart sank within me, as found
how strongly the tide of circumstances set
against him. 1t was proved that he wish
ed to marry Landor Wallace's niece, a
young girl named Isabel Wallace, and that
the uncle had objected. From this quar-
rel had ensucd, and the you'll, had left
Wallace's service. 1t was proved further
more, that De,narton had challenged Wal
lace to fight him duel, and that the mer-.
chant had refused on the ground that lie
could not consent to meet one whom he
still regarded in the light Of son. Then
it was proved that the youth was very
wroth at this, and that he swore Mr.. Wal
luce should either fight or suffer the consc.
quences." lie was determined to have sat
On the evening Of theimurler, the mer-
chant started on horseback Tor Dantonville
and in half all hour afterwards, the prison
er mounted his horse and started after him,
saying, as lie leaped;into the sadee, that he
ta.would easily overtuke Mr.. Wallace"
And then lie added, in presence Of three
witnesses, ,.who swore 10 tho words :-"I
can settle our troubles ,as we'll On the road
to Dantonville as anywhere - ! THIS was at
six o'clock in the evening, Atnine o'clock
a man named Harold Dunk Harold, he
was called dAssas coming from Dantonville,,.
and in a small piece of wood thro' which
!. the road ran, became upon the BODY Of
Landor Wallace; ;ania at the time he saw
Edward Dematton riding. g..away: from the
spot. Tie moon wasslliniig brightly and
ilerecognized tho prisoner very plainly.
He. .leaped from his saddle, and found. tiie:
merchant senseless, add: :btes ihg freely from,
several deep Wounds Close by he found
q silver landed ,bowie:knjfe, which had
been prsyed to be: esiifisoner's property.
The knife was covered will; Blood, and tho
dAcidell That tho wounds
had been Maac Bitifssit;e The murdered
;Inanihad aIsos siyed n blow upon the
bead which 3as nearly sufficient to kill. I.
ts This Dunk Harr1ld was q :iIard- locking
;cd2tonler. ae:was a stout, broad shoulder,
sSed snal, somewhere about forty years oi
;age, with dark, Soarse, annual features; and
Hooked "a perfect villain. In defence I'll was
proved that Harold had some difficulty
with tha prisoner, and that he had swori,