The Nevada journal., 1858-06-04
Why He Did It.

Mr.. Stacy left Philadelphia for San
Francisco in 1855 He went to seek his
fortune, but found the elephant. He
saw the 'critter," and instead of Dig
ging for gold, mad up his mind to dig
OUT and put for home. He arrived on
Tuesday last for this city. He is well
known here, and has always enjoyed a
good character; and yet on Wednesday
morning he was arrested for stealing a
watch from Mr.. Benson, his neigh Dor.
The case was examined on Thursday
before magistrate.
State your case, Mr.. Benson
Well, sir, was at the railroad depot
on Tuesday last, waiting for the cars to
come in. While doing this, felt some
body snatch my watch l Immediately
turned and eized the prisoner, who
was the nearest man to me. I then
called policeman
What then 2
Who took him to the station-house,
where he was searched and the watch
found upon his person.
What is the value Of the watch ?
Some thilty-fve dollars.
Such being the case, the ofense
amounts to grand larceny. What have
you to say to the charge, Stacey 2
Nothing, except that l am as inno-
cent of the crime as you are
Innocent ?nonsense How came Mr.
Benson's watch in your pocket p
Can't say. All | know is, thatit was
found there
And that, you must allow, is a very
strong confirmation of your guilt
4 know it, sir and Pm innocent
The protest, however, did not avail
much. The matter appeared to be so
clear and undisputed an act of felony,
that the magistrate commenced making
out commitment. Just as he was put
ting tail to the lastly, green-looking
custom er got up and asked the magis-
trate if he might have swear
In what case 2
This one about the watch.'
What do you know about it ?
Administer the oath, and you'll find
out, maybe
|
examination resumed.
What is your name ?
William p. Brown.
Where do you reside 2
In c. street.
Have you ever seen that watch 2
Yes, stree ! l have seen it on two oc.
casions-the last time when it was ia
ken from Stacey's pocket
Then you saw it taken from Stacey
pocket, did you 2
Il did, sir; and saw more than that
l saw it go in there
This is very Important sir. You saw
the watch taken from Benson?
1 did, sir
Here Mr.. R, the counsel for Ben.
son, limited to the court that the case
might as well close, as the felony had
been proved beyond all questioning =
The magistrate viewed matters differ
emily, and decided to let Brown have
| his ''swear'' out.
We'll, Brown, go on with your story
You say yousaw Stacey place the watch
in his pocket?' ?
No, stree; [ didn't say anything of
the kind, because it was not So
Not so ? What do you mean 2
Just this that Benson placed the
watch in Stacey's pocket himself, and
then h5llered Police
yes, sir. But that amt all squire.
l know what he did it for. Shall / tell
you 2
DO SO, in as few words as possible ?
For the last fifteen months Mr. Ben
son has been running line with Stacey's
wife, and he wishes to keep up the fun
for the remainder ofthe season. To dc
this pleasantly, he wished to get Stacey
out of the city. To effect this, he has
fastened a felony upon him, and is now
striving to get him into the penitentiary.
The testimony of Mr.. Brown filled the
court with astonishment. The magis-
trate called upon Mr.. Benson for an ex-
PLANTATION. Mr.. Benson was disconnected
and did not reply. The result was, that
he was held for perjury, while Stacey
was honorably discharged, and all was
brought about by Mr.. Brown having a
''swear." The magistrate allowed that
the case was one of the most infamous
conspiracies ever developed before a
court of justice.-PhiIa. Mercury.
| @ As an instance of how imperfect