Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-11-09
Life Ona the Turning ofa Gard.

A friend narrated to us a day or two since
an anecdote Of early times in West Tennes-
see, which we will attempt to repeat even at
the risk of losing the graphic simplicity Of
his conversational narrative.
Some eighteen or twenty years since, a
we'll known resident of Upton county was
put on bis trial. charged with the murder OF
his wife. AS usual, in suoh cases, popular
feeling was largely against him, and all the
eloquence and ingenuity of his counsel were
required to make an impression in his favor
upon a jury, which, however, impartial it
might desire to be in the consciousness OF
sworn duty, could not but see the waves OF
popular prejudice surging in upon it.
The case was ably urged. The counsel
for the defense made most vigorous and i'm
passioned appeals. The case was submitted
to the jury; and they retired to makeup their
verdict. limo passed. and as the setting
sun warned all of the approaching night, the
large throng IN attendance, hejudge, coun-
bel, etc, retired all anxious, the accused
not the least SO, to learn the verdict Of the
! jury, and some wondering that the jury hest
tated for oae moment to bring 10 a verdict
of guilty. II the meantime the jury had
come to point beyond which they could pro-
gress no further. The appeals Of the coun-
sci for the defense had not been without
their influence, and the jury stood un-
chan gesble. six for conviction and six for &C
quittal. Something had TO be done. II
those days twelve good fellows could not b(
got together fer night. and sleep. Card
appeared mysteriously from the depths 0
sundry large pockets, and exercises in sever
up and poker were zealously commenced
! About midnight, one Of their number
Col z. proposed they should play gam,
of seven up, the result to decide the verdict
The proposition was heartily and unanimous
lily agreed to, in all seriousness, and tn
whole crowd collected around Col p an(
bis opponent who proceeded to play the gam
on which was staked a human life.
Col. r played to save the accused. HI
opponent played, and quite as zealously, t
secure the conviction The hackers, fy
and FIVE, stood behind them, encouragin
the champions, and watched the game, diml
seen by the light Of two ta.loW candles, wit
the most intense interest.
/ Tie game proceeded with very equal fol
tune, till both parties stood at six and six
It was Col z s deal; he dealt and turne(
Jack. The prisoner was acquitted, an,
every member in the jury joined in tn
shout, which startled the whole village eve
the jewellers in "the grocery Next morn
ing the jury went into the Court, and gave
TO the establishment Of many, the verdict o
mot guilty The juryman who played al
unsuccessful game for human life, still lives
much respected citizen of the district =
One Of the counsel is very distinguished
member Of the Memphis bar, and the &C
cused has, as we believe, gone to a highe
court; but neither Of them, nor any Of tn
assemblage, nor the Court, who marveleC
at the verdict eighteen years ago, have eve
known that human life was saved by turn
ing Jack. There are some curious episode
in the history of our settlement; but wh'
would think Of venturing lie upon turning
Jack