The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-06-25
CAROLINA SPARTAN.
AN UNEXPECTED WITNESS.

On my last visit to Mississippi, | arrived
one pleasant autumn evening at the village
OF Deepwoods, having come in the stage
that day from Moody Creek found the
inn we'll filed, and learned that the circuit
court was in session there. AT the supper
table found the Judge and some half dozen
lawyers, besides the county officers and nu.
murous visitors who had come to attend
the trials. had some business TO transact
with merchant in the place, whose name
was Landor Wallace, and l made up my
mind to call upon him during the evening.
knew where bis store was, and after lea
walked down to his place. The building
was all fast, however, and turned my steps
toward his dwelling. | knocked at the
door, and my summons was answered by a
black woman. 1 asked her if Mr. Wal.
lace was at home. She looked into my
face few moments, and then burst into
tears.
He's to hum, but he's dead' she sobbed,
with much effort.
1 managed to learn from the negress that
Wallace had been murdered three daysbe
fore, and that his murderer would be tried
on tho morrow. Under such ercumstan-
ces, could not disturb any other Of the
family, and having learned particulars, |
left the door and returned TO the inn
There | learned some further particulars
thouching the murder, but those who un.
derstood sthe subject fully were busy, and
was forced 10 wait until the morrow for a
clear knowledge of the case.
Though the murder had been committed
so recently, the body having not vet been
buried. yet rs the court was in session, and
the accused and witnesses on hand, the trial
was to take place Immediately.
On the following morning entered the
court room with the crowd, and the first
case which Game was that of the murderer
OF Landor Wallace. The accused WAS a
young man, not over five and twenty
named Edward Demarton. He hal been
employed for several yenrs as Wallace's
chief clerk, and was one of The most capa
bie youths in the country. had some
dealings with him; and had learned TO
love and respect him. He was lightly
built, with native pride, which, while
it gave him frnness and dignity, never
made his manner naughty or overbear-
ing. he was an orphan, of French de-
scent, and had been born and reared in
New O'leaas. AS he sat in the prisoners
box could see him plainly. He was very
pale, and seemed to suffer much; yet lie
did not look like guilty man. could
not believe that he had ever committed a
murder. He was too brave and honorable
for that.
AT length the trial commenced. The
witnesses came on and gave their testimony,
and my heart sank within mo as | found
how strongly the tide of circumstances set
against him. Ii was proved that he wished
to marry Landor Wallace's niece, a young
girl named Isabel Wallace and tia: the
uncle had objected. From this a quarrel
had ensued, and the youth had left Wal.
laces service. 1t was proved, furthermore,
that Demarton had challeged Wallace to
hight duel, and that The merchant had re-
refused, on the ground that he could not
consent 10 meet one whom he still regarded
IN The light of son. Then it was proved
that the youth was very wrolh AT this, and
that he swore Mr.. Wallace should either
fight or suffer the consequences lie was
determined to have satisfaction.
On the evening of the murder, the mer
chant started on horseback for Dau.onville.
and In half an hour afterwards the prisone,
mounted his horse and started after him.
saying. "a he leaped into the saddle. that
he would easily overtake Mr.. Wallace
And then he added, in presence of three
witnesses, who Swore to the words: can
settle our trouble as well on the rond TO
DantonvilIe as anywherel' This was at six
IN the evening. AT nine o'clock man
named Harrold-Dunk Harold, he was
caled-was coming from DdnlonvilIe. and
in small piece Of wood through which
the road ran, he came upon the BODY of
Landor Wallace and at the time he saw
Edward Demarton gliding away from the
spot. The moon was shining brightly.
and he recognised the prisoner very plainly.
lie ieaped from his saddle, and found the
merchant senseleSs, and bleeding freely
from several deep wounds. Close bv he
found silver handled bowie knife, which
had been proved to be the prisoners prop
erty. The knife was covered with blood,
and the physicians had decided that tine
wounds had been made with it, lhe mur-
dered man had also received blow upon
the head which was nearly sufficient to kill.
This Dunk Harold was a hard looking
customer. lie was a stout, broakshouIder.
ed man, somewhere about forty years of
age, with dark, coarse, animal features, and
looked the perfect villain. 10 defence it
was proved ;hat Harold had somo Difficult.
ty with the prisoner, aud that he had
sworn to have revenge; but this amounted
to but little.
Surely the case seemed very clear against
the prisoner. He had difficulty with the
murdered man, challenged him to n mortal
combat--swore to have revengo--followod