Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1858-10-14


and denande,. '.his money or his life" II
was near the setting of the moon, and the
only elew to the identity of the supposed
robber was small cash upon the back of
his hand, which the honorable gentleman
observed at the time the pistol was drawn
upon him.
He had only four guineas about HIM at
that moment, and single ten pound note
on the bank of England. The latter was
not discovered by the 'tdbber, but the four
gold coins were given up. Immediately IN
alarm was given by the honorable gentle
man. Scouts and policemen were sent out
and three days afterwafds, Burrows was
captured in a neighboring town and contin-
ed on suspicion. No gold was found Oh
him.
The honorable gentleman felt very 'pesi-
tive about bis identity, however. from his
dress, size, and the SCARED hand; and, as
the testimony o. an NJ. P. is matter Of
no mean weight against poor devil who
may chance to be out late in the evening,
in the capacity, happily of an amatuer
poacher or otherwise, so Burrow, who
might or might not be innocent-whas had
ded over for examination and subsequently
was put upon trial for his life, as the suppc-
sed robber of the honorable Jonas Petit,
member of Parliament, aforesaid, &c.
In defence, Burrows simply asserted that
he was Iaborer, without any especial pro-
fession. 1t was his lot to be anywhere,
and everyu here, from time to time. He
had formerly been out at service, and On
the present occasion $50 he deciared) be
was on his way in search of new place,
having travelled from Brighton on the day
he was falsely arrested, and never having
been to his knowled ge, in the vicinity of
the crossing of the Charing and Darlington
ruads in his life. This defence was of no
account, of course, when the solemn asser-
vation of an honorable member of Parlia-
ment stood against il, and moreover, when
such honorable gentleman was so certain Of
the SCARED hand, DC, &c.
The evidence had been duly submitted,
however. and upon the afternoon of the
second day of the trial, as We have noted,
Mr.. Henry Edgeford was prevailed upon
to visit the court house. The honorable
'accuser had testified to the best of his
knowledge and belief that Burrows was the
man who robbed him: all the connecting
circumstances had been set forth by the
prosecuting attorney, who exhibited the
customary zeal of government officer,
where the rich and influential are put in
opposition to the humble and po%erless,
and the prisoner was finally supposed to be
in most critical position.
Upon my word," said Mr.. Edgeford.
suddenly turning to the gentleman who
had accompanied him from the hotel to the
trial, "upon my word I have seen that
prisoner before this" And raising his eye
glass, for closer inspection OF his person
md features, he declared he WAS sure he
had met the fellow within few mouths
of this he was positive.
The prisoner gazed upon the stranger an
instant, as if he partially recognized him
when the chief judge arose TO charge the
jury.
lie entertained no doubt, he said, after
listening to the poin ed and conclusive evil
dence which had been presented to the
court. Then turning to the prisoner he
asked if he had anything to say, or if he had
any defense to ofer-when Burrows arose
calmly, and in clear voice, replied:
my Lords:-I am poor stranger in
this place, without friend TO turn to for
aid in my emergency; bat am Innocent
of the high crime you have charged against
me. AT the time when this alleged rob
berry was committed, | was far distant from
the place, where the robbery was effected,
and never was in that locality at all, in
my life" !
~ am totally ignorant of your rules of
law and may not be permitted now, per
haps, to present any evidence that may at
feet my u. fortunate case favorably. New
ertheless, see among the spectators pres
enl. one person, who, providenlially, may
save me. | do not know his name, but l
beg that the gentleman who sits on my
right yonder, (pointing to Henry Edge
ford,) may be placed upon the witness
stand and sworn"
All eyes were now turned upon the
traveller, who at the request of the court
entered the witness box, when the prlso-
ner thus interrogated him:
"Have you ever before seen me to your
know!edges"
IL am quite sure have"
"WllI You give the court your name and
business?"
"My name is Henry Edgeford, of Leeds,
and am manufacturer Of cutlery"
"Will you state when and where you
met me, and under what circumstances
was travelling about the middle of June
last from Dover to Aldboro', and upon ar
irving at the latter place, | saw you in
waiting, at the lower stage house. Being
encumbered with luggage, l engaged you
to carry my box to the hotel, after to other
lodgings, aud clearly remember your per-
son and features"
"a; what time was this"
"About The middle of June"
"Can you state the precise date OF your
arrival here" i1t -. -,
aNo. / think il was on the 18th or 18th
If the month" Then turning to the court,
The witness added am not clear, your
houors rs to the exact day; but if your
honors will allow me 10 send 20 my hotel,
where am temporarily stopping here, |
can obtain my memorandum book, which
will assist me, your honors permitting IT."
Leave was given at once, and in a few
minutes small trunk was brouht into
court from :he strangers room al the hotel.