The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-07-04
Life on the Turning of Card.

A friend narrated to Us day or two
since an anecdote of early times in West
Tennessee, which we will attempt to re-
peat even at the risk OF losing the graphic
simplicity of his conversational narrative.
Some eighteen or twenty years since
we'll known resident of Upton County
was put on his trial. charged with the
murder of his wife. As usual, in such
cases, popular feeling was largely against
him, and all the eloquence and ingenuity
of his counsel were required to make any
impression in his favor upon jury, which,
however impartial it might desire to be in
the consciousness of sworn duty, could
not see the waves of popular prejudice
surging in upon it.
The case was ably argued. The coun,
sci for the defense made most vigorous
and impassioned appeals. The case was
submitted to the jury, and they retired to
make up their verdict. Time passed,
and as the setting sun warned all Of the
approaching night the large throng in
attendance, the judge, counsel, &c, re
tired, all anxious, the counsel not the
least so, to learn the verdict of the jury,
and some wondering that the jury hesita-
ted one moment to bring in verdict of
guilty. In the mean time the jury had
come to point beyond which they could
progress no further. The appeals of the
counsel of the defense had not been with
out their influence, and the jury stood un-
changeable, six for conviction and six for
acquittal. Something had to be done. In
those days twelve god fellows could not
be together for night, and sleep. Cards
appeared mysteriously from the depths of
sundry large pockets, and exercise in sew
en- up and poker were zealously COM
menced.
About midnight, one of their number,
Col. P, proposed they should play game
of seven up, the result to decide the yer.
diet. The proposition was heartily and
unanimously agreed to in all seriousness
and the whole crowd collected around
Col. p. and his opponent, who proceeded
to play the game on which was staked q
human life.
Col P. played to save the accused.
His opponent played, and quite as zeal
ously, to secure the conviction. The
hackers, five and five, stood behind them,
encouraging the champions, and watching
she game, dimly seen by the light of two
tallow candles, with the most intense in
terest.
The game proceeded with very equal
fortune, till both parties stood at six and
six. 1t was Col. P's deal; he dealt and
turned Jack. The prisoner was acquit-
ted, and every member in the jury joined
in the shout, which ,tartled the whole vii
lage, even the revelers in the grocery.
Next morning the jury went into court,
and gave, to the astonishment of many
The verdict of not guilty. The juryman
who played an unsuccessful game for hu'
man life, still lives, much respected cit
izen of the district. One of the counsels
is very distinguished member of the
Memphis bar, and the accused has, we be-
lieye, gone to higher court; but neither
of them, nor any Of the assemblage, mol
the court, who marveled at the verdict
eighteen years ago, have ever known tha
a human life was saved by turning Jack
There are some curious episodes in thu
history of our early settlement; but WHIT
would think of venturing life upon turn
ing Jack?