Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-08-23
EVERY THURSDAY TOWA BRADFORD OMEARA GOODRICH

Ms cleek Olanched Ills features became even
more harghty in their expression as he bowed
to the coroner upon hearing the verdict, and
with stately dignity submitted to the officers
who took him in charge
The crowd had retired, the house again was
still and oh, how still Grief, too deep for
tears OF wailing, had visited our household :;
the assassin's hand had det o blow which reach
ed to every heart, and dumb silence reigned
throughout our late glad and Joyous circle.
In the parish church-yard, within our own
family lot, grave was prepared for our gov
ernesS ; and the largest and most serious funer-
al attendance which had been seen in the couu-
try for years, vas that which accompanied the
murdered maiden to her grave.
the trial DR.. StrGttan for the murder of
Miss Norman was case OF no usual impor-
tance. The little country court house was
crowded to excess while the the town over
flowed with visitors from afar and near, many
of whom had an interest much deeper than
curiosity in the result. The prisoner was sur
rounded by strong phalanx of friends, while
the most eminent lawyers conducted his de-
fence but the array OF evidence against him
was as complete as crcumStantial evidence
could be, and his conviction was looked far as
certain Even the witnesses called in his be-
half afforded him no aid his previous good
character, his education aud respectable stand
ing in society brought nothing in his faTOr.-
The crime he stood charged with was a black
one, and there was no mercy mixed with the
lOathing which glanced at him from every eye.
Such was the general feeling when the case
closed, and the prosecuting attorney arose to
address the fury He was q man Cf strong
thoughts and rare talents and his speech on
this occasion was the greatest burst of eloqu-
ence that was ever echoed within that country
court house. The theory which the evidence
sustained he sketched with a master hand !;
filled it up with the vivid coloring Of highly eX-
cited sympathy. The secret engagement which
gave the ickie lover a chance to pay attention
to other ladies the letter, probably contained
the first hint Of his altered feelings, which
brought such sudden anguish to this maiden's
heart the visit, Immediately following all the
particulars of which were dEelt on the sylvan
walk, and the trusting confidence with which
the loving woman laid her hand On bis fa.hlesS
arm and plunged with him into the solitude Of
the wood then the last scene, the fendish
aim, the cowardly shot which laid his fair be
trothed at his feet aud drained her pure, fond
heart Of its life-blood. While dwelling upon
this dark detail, the strong speaker shook with
emctioa. large drops of nerspfaticn beaded his
broad TEMPLES and his voice sunk and culver
cd with pathos \ thrill ran through the as,
sembly, rough cheeks we're wet with tears sup
pressed sobs were audible, and the prisoner
pressing his hands to his eyes, seemed wishing
to shut out the h9rrid picture
The powerful address was concluded amidst
solemn silence the Judge summed up the
evidence. and gave an impressive charge to the
jury the latter retired, and, after a brief con-
sullation, brought in the expected charge,
which pronounced the prisoner at the bar
guilty.
Upon the usual question being asked of TIE
cuprit as to why sentence Of death should not
be passed upon him. the unhappy man replied
in sad tones, that, by a strange Gispensation Of
Providence, circumstances had concarred
against him that by those concurring circum.
stances he bad been Judged, and condemned,
sentence Cf death from his devoted head Vet