Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-07-01
Iron the Louisville Democrat. June 22.I

From the Louisville Democrat, Juno 22-1
\ TALE OF CRIME AND SUICIDE We are
informed BY a gentleman from Hend rson OF
one Of the most deeply tragical events that
has ever occurred in our state
Some time ago, Dr. \. J. Morrison. Of
that plac, was prosecuted for forgery, and
desrjus Of revenging himself on the prose
cutting attorney, who was active in all the
measures agai st him, he attempted to pro-
cure his death by poison. For this purpose
he employed Harrison. negro waiter at the
Hancock House, and engaged his services to
consummate hi, deviliSh intentions. The
servant was to place the prussic acid in the
coffee Of Mr.. John E. Arnold, but instead Of
fulfilling the arrangement, he informed Mr..
y. Of the Conspiracy againt his life.
Not discouraged by his first failure, Mr..
Morrison gave the negro another dose Of
deadly p)is N to place in Il plate Of raspber-
ries which he was 20 band MIR. Arnold But
tue honest servant by ugaIu informed, auu
then arrangements were made for the detec-
tion OF this worse than BJrsian c0nspira-
ton.
At certain time he was to give Harrison
% third potion, evidencinS cool and u1aiiei-
Gus determination to destroy the attorney
for the Commonwealth. In order that his
villliny might be thoroughly exposed to
competent witnesses and his hellish plans
completely frustrated, a hole was bored
through the ceiling. 50 that persons in the
upper chamber might notice what was going
ON below without being observed. The plan
proved entirely successful Morrison was
seen to hand the negro the poison and give
him Instructions concerning it. The rascal
was Immediately seized on Thursday and
confined in Jail.
Thus providentially was this base attempt
against the life Of a valued and efficient Of
hcer of the Commonwealth foiled
But the deHouement of the tragedy remains
10 be uniolded. Morrison, overcome BY the
weight Of testimony g.inst him, and appre-
hending violence from the hands Of an out
ragged and excited populace, committed sui
eide Sunday morning
lie procured a knife, and after cutting his
throat severed the main artery Of his leg
When fOunj, he was dead, literally welter-
ing in his blood. The remains Of Mr. Nor
risja were brought TO Louisville Sunday
evening, and thence shipped by railroad to
Springfield, Illinois, where be has connec-
tiOns
Some may ask why Arnold was 50 stupid
as to let Morrison make q second and third
attempt on his life after he had been told Of
the first by the negro who was to act as Nor.
rison's agent in the murder. They must
remember that the parties lived in Slave
State, where negro's testimony would Mt
BE- allowed in i court Of law against a white
man-be the negro ever so trustworthy. Un-
der 1t a negro may be hired ever 50 many
times to kill a white man and may reveal it,
but his evidsnce is legally nothing. The
murderer may try it again and again with
perfect impunity, till he can find a negro
who will gre The poison instead ofmfornpng
against he poisOner. A beautiful system
that of Slavery Isl any wonder that our
vermont Democrats are 50 perfectly indii-
ferent about its spread into free territory