Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1858-02-27
Murder Trial.

monced on Tuesday, February 10th, inst,
in Danvillc, Montour County, Pa, before
Hon Alexander Jordan, President Judge.
The Prisoners demanded seperato trials,
and Clark was put on trial for the murder
of his wife, by Poison. Hon. Paul Leidy,
and ]. W, Comfy for Commonwealth r.
F.. Clark and VIM. G. Hurley, Esqrs., for
Defense. We have neither time nor space
to condenso the evidence and only add
the letter of the prisoner.
THE LETTER.
We here subjoin the letter referred to in
the testimony Of And. Thompson copied
Vcrbatim.
DANvILLE MoNToUR Co.
Aug. 20, 1857.
Dear Andrew
hope that this will find you and
yours all well.
| now reveal TO you what will liborate
me at the tryal by your dowing it for me,
Having the confidence in you that you will
due it, for me, and let no one be the wiser
Of it, Although 1 little deserve your aid
Dear Brother you see that it is tostyfycd
That purchased Poison So if you would
Be 50 Kind as to Buy the following
amount l. would Saive my life & enable me
to Reward ten fold, for the said trouble
and Expense, that is to Buy. me three
ounces of Arsenic s. eight grains Of Strych-
nine get % ounces by itself u half an
ounce BY itself & Get it as soon as this comes
To hand and bring it up with you on Next
Friday the 4th and stop at Blooms,
Bloomsbury & get MIR. Robert &. Clark to
Come up with you, he, is my council dow
not let him know that you have it, but you
Can Give it to me when he is with you
without notice & the sheriff will not be in
And | will pay you your expenses Look
at it Dear Brother your self & your Good
Outstanding will tell you that when 1
Will have the same quantity of Poison to
show in the Court that the Will have to
liborate nc, am sorry that | could not
aquent you of this Before, But you knew
that it is very few that can trust with
one word to pleace of A letter Dear Andcy
by dowing so you viii Saivo life & credit
& will we'll reward you & you will be
running no risk. Whatever watch that
you get honest waight I have certain resons
for urging you 10 come on friday or saturday
next, the s if 20 dow not get here on
some Of the 2 days 1 will take that as A
token that you will not dow it. But l
have Confidence in you that you will
attend to it for me saivo my lie And l
will be your humble Servant as remen
yours in the bonds Bonds Of Peace Law
and order.
Ever yours Affectionately
William j Clark
Let no one see this letter.
The evidence closed on Thursday after
noon, when Paul Lcidy Esq, District
Attorney opened the argument for the
Commonwealth. He was followed by Rob-
ert +. Clark Esq, Of Bloomsbury, for the
Defense and if ever Counsel did justice
to client, it was on this occasion. The
eloquent and powerful address of Mr.. Clark,
exhibited Profes ional talent of the highest
order. For near two hours be held the
wrapt attention Of the vast audience, as he
manlully battled against the fearful weight
of testimony. But, alas, no human powell
no argument however, logical-no con-
clusions, however clear-no appeals, how
ever fervent, could stem the tide against
the prisoner; and yet, the effrrt was no
less creditable to his Counsel, because it
was unsuccessful.
The Court met'on Friday morning at 81
o'clock when VIM. G. Hurley Esq, oi
Bloomsbury proceeded to address the Jury
for the Prisoner, this effort is also spoken
of very favorably, and regret that circum,
stances did not permit US to hear it. j. W
Comfy Esq, closed the argument for tho
Commonwealth in strong speech.
Judge Jordan then delivered full fail
and impartial charge to the Jury reviewing
the testimony and explaining the points o.
law, connected with the case.
At about one o'clock the jury retired ant
returned into Court with virdict o
"Guilty," att, o'clock in the evening.
The Prisoner heard the verdict withou
any visible emotion, or change of countc
nance. He was then remanded to prison
, TO await the sentence OF the law.
Saturday Morning.
The court was called at 81 o'clk. TIL
y Prisoner presented about the same appear
a ancc, he had manifested throughout tn
trial. The Judge then enquircd of Wu
John Clark, if he had aught to say, VIII,
h sentence should not be pronounced upo
c him.
It The Prisoner, then, in calm, but earl
0 est tone of voice, made an address
?, several minutes duration he asserted h
IS innocence, his readiness to meet death, al
o his preparation for the change.
d The Judge then pronounced the folloy