Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1857-07-02
Shtttbes from Gife,
THE DEAD ALIVE.
BY s. NJ. BIGELoW.

| BY >. M. BIGEl4UN.
esNmgN ANY HAS been the tale that has
RS been written to depict the uncer-
e &s'sas taintes, and not unfrequent injus-
tice, that arises from the results of a
trial, the prosecution of which is founded
on purely circumstantial evidence; still.
| juries do not seem to heed them, and
when prejudice is once raised against
an accused party on account of certain
suspicious circumstances by which he may
be accidentally surrounded, they seem to
blindly seek conviction, and as quickly
return verdicts to that effect-when. if
! the wisdom of the Bench does not detect
the fallacy and urjustness of the procet d
ing, the unhappy but innocent prisoner is
doomed to pass weeks, months, and even
years of suffering. in an agony of spirit
that none but those who have been thus
maj tyred on the altar of public opinion,
can appreciate or Imagine. More terrible
is it, when a capital crime is charged and
apparently sustained-when sentence is
passed-when the day Of execution ar
rives, and fellow being is deprived of
his existence-swung into the mysteries
Of eternity, by virtue Of the administra-
ton Of an ''eyen handed justicc!" while
myriads, of whose guilt there is positive.
overwhelming, and direct testimony, es-
cape through tile dodge of sharp "
practitioner, or by reason of some techni-
cal iliegality or immaterlal proceeding on
the part Ct the prosecution, not according
to the strict letter Of the law. which
would not however in the slightest de-
gree affect the intrinsic rights Of the &C
cused Justice may we'll be represented
as bliAd, for as Sue pfesides in our courts.
her shafts equally destroy and ruin the
innocent as they fail to reach the guilty
but well-defendcd villain.
Some five years since, on lovely day
about the month of August, party of
children, whose parents resided in lie
couk, Rhode Island, started on a black
berrying expedition. With elated spirits,
and the free. bounding step Of unsuspici-
Gus and gleesome childhood, they sought
the neighboring woods fully expecting
the holiday they we're thus improving
would be one of uninterrupted pleasure.
Their only protector was large New
foundland dog, whose sagacity was equal
led only by his symmetrical, bounding
form. Away went the party over hills
across the cultivated fields, to their desti-
nation. The wood, to which they bent
their steps, lay upon the side of gently
rising hill, somewhat retired from the
public roads, and was favorite summer
day resort for parties IF pleasure from
the surrounding country. Arriving On
the spot they soon found the greatest pro
fusion of berries, and accordingly alter
nately engaged in picking and romping.
| Not long had they thus amused themselves
when Their boisterous mirtb was suddenly
checked by scream of alright from one
of the youngest Of the party who, in com
pany with two or three others, had saun-
tered a short distance from the rest
Fastening to the spot, they all, with a
universal shrek of horror, fed rapidly
towards their homes. The sight that met
their eyes was one that was well cacula-
ted to fill their young minds with the ut
most cons formation. 1t seems the dog
Bruno had been scratching in the ground
which on examination bore the marks OF
recent removal. In so doing he had ex-
posed to view the face of human being,
which had been covered with chloride of
lime. Announcing the discovery by a
succession of sharp banks, he had drawn
the attention of the young children to the
place. The horrible intelligence spread
with almost lightning speed through the
usually unbeatable town of Lecouk, and
a crowd rapidly FASTENED to the fatal
wood, where they speedily exhumed the
body. 1t was Immediately recognized as
! the body, 1t was Immediately recognized
as the body Of a woman, whose husband,
being sea captain, had left Providence
the day previous for Norfolk by the way
of New York. A coroner's jury was i'm
mediately called, and testimony taken
Dozens recognized the body as that OF
Capt. Loders wife, and swore to that
fact. The sister of the deceased identi-
lied the dress as the one she usually wore
and also her earrings. The murderous
deed had evidently been committed some
two or three days previous; several marks
i OF violence were found, some of which ap.
i peared to have been made with knife.
Her countenance was also so dishgured
that her features could not be recognized
but her sister remarking that her relative
had lost a tooth from the centre of the
upper front row, on examination, that
tooth was found to be missing, and no
further doubt remained as to the identity
OF the body.
1t had been matter of gossip among
the neighbors. that trouble existed be-
tween Capt Loder and his wife, which
was very manifestation the frequent quar-.
rels that would take place between them
whenever he was at home. Several ties
tilted to angry words having been issuing
from their dwelling but a few days previ.