Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1860-04-20
April 18th.

che Knoxville Wing is filled with editorial and esli-
,nony connected with the trial of John B. Brownlow,
at Abingdon, last week for killing James W. Reese
a student a. Emory and Hcury College. The editor
says:
I'VE have several reasons for publ hng this cvi-
dence to the exclusion Of all other matter this week.
and these reasons we will briefly assign.
l. The case has excited unusual interest thr0ug ont
the whole country. Numerous and Infamous have
been the asehoods circulated by etters and throu gh
newspapers, In reference to the atfray.
g. The character of the defend.mt-his habits Of
life -his training, wei! MS the mdnner of the fight
have all been msreprcsened and are st right in this
testimony. A foul attempt has been made TO fix
upon him the charge of stealing up in the rear Of The
deceased, and striking him when he not ey-
pcctinp such an assault Those who read the testi-
mony for tho prosecution viii see who seek TO make
this impression.
3. The testimony shows that there was infamous
conspiracy against the defendant, and tEatt was car
ried out without his knowl, dye, and sought TO be
contaminated in the absence oil his friends The
testimony of Mr.. Weleh, high-minded and honora-
bic man. who testified on behalf of the Common
wealth, points out these conspirators, rs being to-
geher in confidential meeting previous to the fight
We are content 10 let the parties escape with the
righteous and mered castigasion, and solemn warm
ings they received at the lips of Joseph r. Campbell
and Judge Brien before crowded house The read.
or will not fail to perceive that the deceased WAS tho
most gentlemanly and heightened man connected
with the conspiracy; and being brave and genous of
his honor, he was the dupe Of towards and scoun-
dres, whose pangs of conscience must harrow up
their souls in after life, and reader che future bat
damned existence they have wrought for themselves
by the killing of Reese. Weare authorized by the
only four jurors with whom we had opportunity to
converse TO state that they viewed the arny rs con
spiracy against the defendant
a. The rnmore, fight of the defendant from Col
lege after the ARRAY, is explained by the testimony OF
President Wiley and will rebound to his honor, IL
stead of his discredt, falsely charged. Oiher tes
tmony will show, that the defendant fought in self
Defence from first to last, backing all the time being
knocked down twice. once stamped IN the face, and
overpowered by one of the stoutest men mt college,
and his superior in weight By Mt least Gfty-hve
hounds The deceased was in the hands of those
who brought on the fPht-who had once let him
loose upon II small and feeble man-wbo he had had
reason to believe would turn him loose again. Iias
ing but one friend at hand, and he havirg been
knocked down, the defendant seized mon the only
stick in reach, and struck the blow, which proved
fatal to Reese but preserved himselfrom great bod
lily barn. as the law-books say
g. In conclusion we have to say-and in this the
reader will agree when he SHALL have pcrused the tes
mouy-that there is no young of spirit, South Of
the Potomac who would not have used that stick,
anv other weapon in similar extremity, and under
similar circumstances. No previous motive was en-
tertained-tlc death Of Reese was not iHttnded-it
was purify misadventure--and the defendant has
no cause Ct remorsc account OF the killing, and
however much he may regret the necessity which was
laid on him. TO his own life by striking blow
which took the life Of another. And while Mr..
Reese and his family in their bereavement have Our
sympathies and not even censured by US :or the
Wig orous pro ecmtou of one, dear to us as their
deceased son was to thcm-they will permit US say
in all candor that we had sooner have had our hoy
returned to us'for burial mutilnted corpse than that
he should lave tamely Submit ed to degrading chas
tiscmcnt at the hands ofany student at College