Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-02-17
Grnrral 1Htsccllanu.
aMrfRnER WILL our.o

"MURDER WILL OUT"
The case of James Stephens, who was exc
cuted in New York on Friday last, furnishes
a remarkable illustration Of the above maxim.
On the 23d day Of September, 1851, Sophia
Stephens died, as was supposed at the time,
Of inflammation Of the stomach, and so her
physician certified. On the 23d day Of Sep
tember, 1858, her body was cxhumcd from
its repnse in Greenwood Cemetery, was an
allied by Prof r. Ogden Doremus, and in
March, 1859, after a trial Of nineteen days, a
verdict Of guilty Of murder was rendered.
The entire history of the case has evinced not
only 1.-THE romance Of crime,' but also of ju-
dical history. The following particulars from
the Tribune, will be found interesting:
cone morning in September. 1858, Robert Bell was
brought before Justice Welsh for having attempted to
kill James stephens the previous day in broad day
light Upon the examination which followed the arrest
of Bell, the following facts we're ELECTED
Young Bell. who then in Ireland saw letter from
his sisters, Fanny Bell and Sophia Bell uicccs Of james
Stephens who were residing with him, addressed their
parents requesting them 20 direct their letters 10 the
care OF some other person than James stephens, their
uncle, and saving II they would DO so they Fanny and
9opniaJ Hola give ihcm NOR, minute afueu5fs u
ing Che death OF their aunt, Mrs stephens Robert Bell
had lived with his aunt for the period of six years NJ his
chdhood and from her had received parental kindness
At he became possessed with the idea that he
go to America and investigate the cause Of his aunts
death
lie accordingly len home and arrived in this city in
July ur August. 1853 stephens met him at the dock
and took him home. Dell said one night az bis house
aud never called ON him again On the day that Sophia
Bell was 20 be married % samuel Cardwe th. auonv
nous letter Of which much has been said rcccis
ed by Mr.. Cardwc aud shown 20 Sophia Bell, who re-
fused TO marry him until the asity Of that letter
certamed. Robert Ben AZ once became greatly excited,
went and purchased pistol loaded IL 20 the muzzle with
powder and two balls went up 20 stephens in the street.
laid hold Of his shoulder turned him around and saying
to him Die YOU villain, discharged the pistol within
sly inches OF his breast, without inutiug him IN the
slightest The report of that pistol however
awoke The echoes of stephens death knel.
The friends Of young Bell once applied 20 Chaunccy
shaier, Esq, to fend him. but upon Mr. Skaters pre-
sentug himself ia Court, young Bell very politely thank
ing his friends for employing such capable counsel for
New York and Dublin together that he tried TO kin
stephens sorry be had succeeded and expected
% go states Prison Tor g..
Mr. shaHrr locked himself up in cell with Young Bell
nr two hours. and then, waving examination.
his client was admitted to bail. Very soon warrant
murder uf bis wife hy lludauum aud arsenic. upon the
oAda'its of amy and Sophia Bell. stephens, upon be
iug arrested eNuccd the utmost coolnc,s while DE
threatened 40 manner VI prosecutions against thc parties
concerned la his arrest
Nr Scdgwlk. then Assistant District Attorney 20 Nh.
Sweeney, having placed the prosecution in the hands Of
Mr. Shahcr, that gentleman az once set 90 work While
entertaining the friend. OF Stephens with examinations
aid Coroner Connery and had the body of Mrs stephens
cyhumed, and post mortem examination made By Dr.
ceased placed the disposal of Prof D1rcmus, who
made analysis of the which, for skill and
and labor, has probably before been surpassed.
Coroner Conncry pursued his inquiries with the
actively and fidelity. summoning before him every drug
gst in the upper part Of the city, until he found Michael
Flynn who sold stephens the arsenic that probably kill
ed his wife. After about months steady work, the
Coruner's jury returned verdict Of murder against
stephens but the Grand Jury at first refused 10 find
bill against him Finally, however, they reconsdcred
the matter, and the indictment presented
The trial came in March, before Justice Roosevelt
and of HaUnt nNFf
whom ayowed themselves opposed 90 capital punishment
The trial was probably OF the most remarkable that
occurred in this country. The sciences Of medicine
chemistry and law, seemed IN be exhausted, and
was stephens Of an acquitta that he seemed to enjoy
the spectacle spectator rather than party interest
ed. Several Of tho witnesses examined for whole
days and the public mind first inclined 10 believe in
stephens innocence began wavcr and then believe
that be was, aficr a "a wife posoncr, and the solemn
verdict of guilty did surprise those who had closely
watched the progress Of the trial"
Every exertion was made to obtain a new
trial for stephens. but all the higher Courts
affirmed the sentence of death The Govern
or was then besieged for pardon or reprieve,
and it is thought these efforts would have
been successful but for the detection Of the
plot by which Stephens expected to liberate
himself by numbering the jailor. Stephens
has maintained the most stoical calmness un-
ill since the refusal Of the Governor to exer-
else his prerogative and he has continually
reiterated his innocence In regard to the
revolver found in his possesson, he said that
he designed TO take his own life with it.