True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-10-28
A CURIOUS CASE OF IDE NIFTY

A most extraordinary trlal-one ihat
may rank among the causes cetebfes of
the day-has recently taken place in Ca.
yuga, Canada West. On the night of the
18th of October, 1851, an attrocious mur.
der was perpetraled in Haldimand coun.
ty, under the following circumstances -
A gang of highwaymen, who had previ-
ously committed many dePreda'ions in
The neghborhood, appeared, after dark,
at the residence OF John H. Nellis, high.
ly respectable citizen Of the comfy
They agreed that William Townsend,
their recognized leader, should first enter
the house, alone; and in pursuance of
this plan. having disguised himself with
false moustaches and whiskers; Townsend
knocked a, the door, 1t was opened by
Mr.. Nelis in person, for all the other in
mates appear to have retired to bed. The
llighvayman. as soon as he had gained
admission, demanded gold. and being re-
fused scufle ensued, in which Mr.. Mel.
lis was shot dead by Townsend. The rest
of the gang now entered, and completed
The robbery over the dead body Of their
victim.
or the four men implicated in this
crime, one was killed by the policemen
who attempted to arrest him ; two were
tried, convicted, and hung for the mur.
der, and one, q lad of nineteen was spa
red, and admitted as evidence for the
prosecution. Townsend, then a young
man Of one and,, twenty, escaped by shoot
ing lhe officer who cnLeavured to effect
his capture. 1t was in vain that every
effort was subsequently made to discover
his place OF conceal ment. A very large
reward was offered for his apprehension,
and when months and years elapsed
withou, any tidings Of his whereabouts
people had almost ceased 10 remember
the incidents Of the murder aud the other
stories that wee wont 10 be told Of his
crimes. Three years passed away, al
the end Of which time public excitement
was suddenly revived on the subject
Townsend. it was asserted, had been ar
rested at Cleveland, 0. He was exam
incd there, and being identified as the
murderer and rObber Of Neles, by many
witnesses, he was taken 10 Canada and
has recently undergone his trial in the
county where his numerous Offences were
committed. Hundreds Of persons visi
him in prison, but strange to say, pubic
opini5n is completely and hopelesSIy di
vided as 10 whether he is or is not tn,
murderer Of Neles. On thisipoint th'
whole evidence Of the trial has turned
There is abundance Of proof that JOIN
II. NeIles was murdered and robbed b.
one William Townsend, but is the pris
oaer that man Twenty.six witnesse
bfhnght up By the prosecution, swear po
siiively that he is. Among these witnes
ses are some Of the most respectable in
habitanls Of tie county. They identify
marks on llc prisoners body. Many o
them have known Townsend from child
hood, and oil certify 10 his idesll,y, tho
they state that he is somewhat altered il
appearance. The accompllce, who wa
gpardoned. delivers his testimony in
clear, straigh. forward way. He minute
~ describes tie details Of the murder
ard after long aud clcse cross-examin;
tion, his assertion that the prisoner is &C
tuaIly Townsend, the principal actor j
the crime. is moi in The remotest degre
shaken. The same remarks apply to oil
er witaesses. MeH and womenTt Al
prisoncrf oid associates --are'put uPc
che stand, and they TOO, swear to p
J. n stsl