Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-06-13
The Avenger of a Child's Dis
honor.
I'm accoant Of a Recent Trial at the Old
Baiiy, London.

BaiIy, London.
George Hammond, a portrait paint.
er, was placed at the bar, to be tried
on an indictan Mt found against himself
by lh- grand jury, for the ~ilful muir
de with malice aforethought of Grorgr
Baldwin, IL rupe-dancer AMI niounte-
bank. The pris ri-r was man ofme-
inm height, but slender form. Hi
eyes were blue and mild. His whole
bearing gave evidence of subdued SD
ness and melancho y resignation He
was forty-one years of age, had soft
voice, and his appearance and manner
bare evidence to his being man ol
distinguished education. in spite Of the
poverty Of his dress.
On being cal ed out to plead, the
prisoner admitted that he did kill Bald
win. and lie deplored the act, adding,
however, that, on his soul and consci-
ence, he did not believe himself guilty
fnereupon jury was empanneied to
try the prisoner. rhe indlct II mt was
then read to the jury and the ac OF
Killing being admitted, the govern
ment rested their case. and the prison
er W called upon for his defense.
The prisoner then addressed himself
to the court and jury:
My lord,' said he, my justification
is to be found in recital of the facts.
Three years ago | lost daughter,
then four years Of age, who was the
sol. memorial of my beloved wife,
whom 1t had pleased G ID to recall to
himself | lost hel but did not see her
die. She disappeared, she was stolen
from me. She VS. charming child
and but her I had nobody in the world
to love me Gentlemen, what have
suffered cannot be described, you can
not comprehend it. | have expended
in advertising and fruit ess searches all
| Ipessessed-farniture, pictures, even
my clothes. All have been sold.
For three years, en- foot, had been
seeking for my child in all the cities
and all tbs villages ia The three king
doms. As soon as by painting por-
traits | had succeeded ia gaining lit
tie money, | returned to London to,
comm nee my advertisements in the
newspapers. At myth. on Friday,
the 14lh of Arrl last, crossed the
Smith6eld cattle markut. In tle c4n.
ire Of the market troupe of mpunte
banks were performing lh'ir fe is.
Among them a child was turning on its
head, supported on halberd. A ray
from the soul OF its mother must have
penetrated my own, for me- to have
recognised nay child in that position.
1t was nay poor child. Her mother
woali perhaps have precipitated her.
self towards her, and locked herself in
her arms. AS fer me veil passed
over my eyes. l know not how it was
Il, habiiually gentle, even to weak
ness, seized him by the clothes-l rails
ed him in the air, then aashed him to
the ground, then again ; be was dead
Atterward repented what had done.
At the moment | regretted that | was
able TO kill but one
Lord Chief j ,islice Tindale These
are not Christian sentiments. How
can you expect the court and jury TO
look with favor on your adte nee, or
God to pardon you, if you cannot for
g,ve2'
Prisoacr-'f know, my lord, what
viii be yeur Judgment, and that OF the
jury; bat God has already pardoned
me | feel it in my heart. You know
not, knew not then, the whole extent
of the evil that man had hone When
some compassionate people brought me
my daug tier il PRISON, she was no
longer nay child she was no longer
pure and angelic as form ely; she wa
corrupt, body and soul-her manner,
her language, infamous like those with
whom sac had been living did not
recognize her myself. DO You COM
prchend me nowi That man had rob.
bed me oi the love and soul of my child.
And IL have killed him but once
Forem n-'My lord, We have agreed
ON our verdict.
Chiet Justice-'I understand you,
gentlemen, but the law must take it,
course. [ must sum up the case, and
then you will retire and deliberate
The Chief Justice having summed
up the case, the jury retired, and in an
instant thereafter returned into court
with a verdict OF not guilty.
On the discharge of Hammond. the.
Sheriff was Obliged to surround him
with an escort The womeu were de-
sermined to cary him off in triumph.
The crowd followed him all the way 10
his lodgings with deafeuing shouts Of
huzzas
TIE POSSIBLE .MIGHr HAVE BEEN
Round about what is, lies whole
MIST rlous rid of wha, might be-
IA psychological romance fpos,ib,lities
and things that do not happen. BY
going out few minutes sooner or later,
by stopping to speak with frien at
co Her, " meeting this man or that,