Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-07-17
From the nHIl, Jss.nai.
Early Indiana Trials. ri''l



- f44.f ate
- n 1n, NO. a. ~, f
Among the first of the great tragic
trials in this State, was that OF Dr.
John Bradburn, of Fsyette county,
on an Indictment for murder. 1 was
at the time County Prosecutor for the
State. Th> facts of the case were
briefly these; DR.. Bradburn was an
eminent kurgeon, a man Of great mus
cular power, and Of the most indomit-
able courage. have scarcely ever
seen more athletic man, and l never
knew man of greater bravery. He
lived some four or five miles from Con-
nersville. In general the Doctor was
highly respected, bat ii seems that he
had given some real or imaginary
cause of offence to several young
men of equal respectability in the
neighborbood, who took it into their
heads that they would take the Doc
tor from his house in the night, ride
him on rail to the water, and then
ouck him. The Doctor by some
means got wind of what was going
on, and prepared himself with weap-
ons Of defence, among which was q
long dissecting knife with two edges.
The young men, unaware ofhis prep
aration, fixed upon q dark night 70
carry their plan into execution. Capt.
Il. .Broaduus was selected as their lea
der About twelve clock, ut night,
the party silently approached the
house Of the Doctor and tried to open
the door, but found ittast. The Doc
tor was In bed in an adjoining room,
wide awake, with his large knife un-
der his pillow, cool and prepared. The
outside party placed an iron crow-bar,
which they had brought with them,
under the door, threw il off its hinges
and entered his room, carrying with
them the ropes prepared TO tie the
Doctor before they took him from the
house. In the meantime tho Doctor
remained silently sitting upon his
bed, with his knife in his hands. The
room was dark. Tho party adyanc-
ed, feeling their way, until tho fore
most, young Alexander, about eight
cen years Of age, reached the bed,
when he received a fatal stab with the
knife, turned, rushed 10 the door,
stepped out, and fell dead in the yard.
Not word was spoken. Tho next,
young Caldwell. about twenty years
of age advanced, evidently not know
ing the fate Of young Alexander. un-
Ill he came within the grasp Of the
Doctor, when the fatal knife was
thrust through his side, penetrating
his heart. He uttered a loud groan,
turned, fed to the door, passed a
short distance into the yard, fell and
died near the body Of young Alexan-
der. The groan OF Caldwell alarmed
the others, who Immediately retreated
towards the door, pursued by the Doc
tor, One other of the party received
severe but not mortal.wound. Capt.
Broaddus told me that at at one time
the Doctor was between him and the
door, and as he passed to go out, the
Doctor struck at him with his knife,
and just grazed his head. Ii was vc.
ry evident that but for the groan OF
Caldwell, not one of the assailants
would have left the house alive. Such
was the awful tragedy st the house,
The young men killed were of the
very first families of the county, in
deed of the State. The excitement
was intense; the Doctor gave himself
up, and was put in Jail. While the
inquest was sitting over the dead bod.
les, he was calm and composed, and
stated all about the transaction, and
have no doubt truthfully, for he was
l a man of truth, though his life was al
stake. He had been my client, and
on this, the most trying occasion o.
his life, he insisted i should, defend
him. i told him i was the attorney
of the State. T" You get but s120 .
year, and Twill give you $500 for this
case alone I, however, a,
once told. him that no fee could in
duce me to forsake the State at such
a juncture, and declined further con.
versation with him, and he sent tt
Brookville for John 7. Mckinney Il
defend him. The court met; the
grand, jury found a bill for murder
the trial came on the facts substan.
tally as stated were proved, with ths
adm ission of the doctor. The court,
house was crowded with an excited
population. General Mckinney made
a strong speech in the defence, but i,
evidently fell upon unwilling ears
Ny closing speech was again and
again applauded by the crowd, and
the applause as often reprimanded by
the Court and the Sheriff. Itwas ev'
ident that the jury and the audience
were with me, and had the case gone
to the jury without any charge from
the court, DIR. Bradburn would have
been illegally convicted, / have ne
doubt. But Judge Eggleston, as W,
say, had the ".closing or last speech
and nobly did he sustain his higl
character as Judge on hatoccasion
He took up the case calmly but firm
lly; examined its principles, and lait
J, down the law of self defence, or just
fable homicide, that governed th'
prosecution, step by step, until, l an
satisfied, there was neither lawyer in
. iror, nor by-stander, tnat did not &C
Iquit the prisoner before the jury lef
!, the box. Thejury retired but fey
, minutes, and returned with a verdic
n - Il u
defence. So ended this long to be re
membered case in old Fayette.
II In the year 1924 / was appointe'
! by Governor Hendricks Circuit Pros
, iecutor for the third Judicial Circuii
and for the succeeding two years
rode with Judge Eggleston into eve
, Iry county, and attended the Court
} twice a year. Our Southern Court a
that time was held at Vevay, and on