Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-08-22
EARTY INDIANA TRIALS.


Among the first Of the grea, tragic trials in
Tins stte, was that Of DIR John Bradhurn of Fay.
et,e county. on an indictment for murder ! was
at the time county prosecutor for the state
The facts of the were briefly these DR.
Bradburn was an eminent surgeon, man OF
great muscular power and of the most indomta.
blc personal courage. ! have scarcely ever seen
more athletic nan, and nevc: knew man
Of greater bravery. He lvel some four ot five
miles from CoEnersvllle. In general the doctor
was highly respected, hut il seems that he had
given some real or imaginary cause of oflrnsc TO
several young men Of equal res reliability in his
ncighborhood, who took it into their heads that
they would take the .nctor from his house in
the night, ride Inn on a rail to the water then
duck him. The doctor hy some means got wind
Of what was going on, and prepared himself with
weapons for defense, among which was a long
dsscuting knife with two edges. The Young
men, unaware Of his preparation, fixed upon
dark nigh, To carry their plan into execution. -
Capt Robert l.. Broadlus was selected as their
leader About ~ O'Clock at night the party
silently approached the dwelling of the doctor
and tried to open tle door, but found it fast
The doctor was in bed in an adjoining room,
wide awake, with his large knife under his pill
low, COO and preplre The outside party plac-
ed an iron crow-blr, which they had brought
with them, under the door, threw it of It's hinges
and entered the room, carrying with them the
ropes prepared to tie the doctor before they took
him from The house. In the meantime the doc
tor remained silently sitting upon his he'd with
his knife in his hands. The room was lark 49,
The party advanced, feeling their way, until the
foremost, young Alexander, about eighteen years
OF age, reached the he'd, when he received IA
tai stab with the knife, turned rushed for the
door, stepped out, and fell dead in the yard
Not a word was spoken. The next, young Cald-
well, about twenty years OF age, advanced, evil
dently not knowing the fate of Alexander, until
he came within the grasp of the doctor, when
the fatal knife was thrust through his side, pen
eirating his heart. He uttered a loud groan,
turned, fled to the door, passed short distance
into the yard, fell and died near the body Of
Alexander The groan OF Caldwell alarmed the
others, who Immediately rctreated for the door,
pursued by the doctor, and one other of The par
| ~ received a severe, but not a mortal wound
| Capt Broaddus told me that at one time the doc
tor was between him and the door, and as he
passed TO 90 out the doctor struck at him with
his knife, and Just crazcd his head 1t was very
evident thar but for the groan of Caldwell, not
one Of the assailants would have left the house
alive, Such was the awful tragedy at the house
1 The young men killed were of the very first
families in the country, indeed of the state. The
doctor gave himself up, and was put in jail
While the inquest was sitting over the dead
bodies he was calm and composed, and stated
all about the transaction, and have no doubt
truthfully, for he was a man of truth, although
his life was at stake. lie had been my client,
an1 on this, the most trying occasion of his life,
he nsiste that should defend him. / told him
| was the attorney of the state. "You get but
$l2O a year." he said, "and will give you $500
for this ease alone" !, however, at once told
hlm that no fee could induce Inc to lorsake the
state at such juncure, and declined farther
conversation with him, and he sent TO Brookvle
for John Il. Mckinney to defend him. The
court met the grand jury found bill for mur-
der; the trial came ON the facts substantially
as stated were proved, with the admission Of the
doctor, The courthouse was crowded with an
excited population. Gen. Mckinney made
strong speech IN the defense, but it evidently
fell upon unwilling ears. My closing speech was
again AMI again applauded by the crowd, and
the applause as often reprlmanded by the court
and the sheriff. 1t was evident that the Jury
and the audience were with me, and had the
case gone 10 the jury without any charge from
the court, Doctor Bradburn would have been IL
legally convicted, have no doubt But Judge
Eggleslon, as we say, had the "closing" or last
speech, and nobly did he sustain his high char
acleI as jndgc on that occasion. He look up
the case calmly but firmly examined its prin-