Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1861-03-07

IOIiHS 10 tAsiI ~ was OIiSiHdiiJ iSucu ~
our paper but for reasons he allowed it tc
first appear in the Oneonta Herald.
Iron the oneonta (otsego Co.. N Y.) Heraldl
Mrs. McCraney."
THE OTHER SIDE.
Mr.. EDITOR Not long since, The
Grant County Herald fell into my hands
with the above caption from the pen Of
Rev. A. Brunson, in regard to the trial Of
Mrs. Elizabeth p. McCraney, eff this place,
which is such one-sided view of the case
that think it but right to show the true
position of affairs in regard to some mat
tiers connected with the opposite side Of the
question. After making allowance for pa
rental prejudice, and want of knowledge in
reference to oil the facts, am not willing
to let the matter rest without look at the
other side.
am aware that Mrs. McCraney was ac-
Quilted, but it was not because the Jury
thought her innocent. Justice and Law
do not always 90 hand in hand together.
But there were some, Eyes, many things in
regard to facts, not fully brought out or
developed on her trial, causing some
doubts, which going in favor Of the prisoner,
caused them to bring in verdict Of mot
guilty. though against their firm belief TO
the contrary. This was not only the mind
of the jury, but nine-tenths of those who
"felt such an interest at the trial, were Of
the same opinion. Among those were
several Ministers of the Nj. E. Church,
who thought the same, but from sympathy
for the father, forebore an expression of
their views in regard to it.
If the citizens Of Oneonta were ques-
toned as to their belief in the guilt Of the
accused, there would be but one answer,
and that in tie affirmative. The facts
having transpired in our midst, we are bet
ter prepared to judge as to the merits Of
the case than those who live at distance,
consequently we cannot indorse the sentl-
ment of the Rev. correspondent Of the
Herald, that the trial 'Tesulted not only
in her acquittal, but left her pitbort Just
cause of suspicion" So strong was the
belief Of the people Of this community as
to her guilt, tha soon after her acquittal
and return to this place, there was call
published for meeting to express the feel
| ing Of regret that justice had not taken
place. THIS call was signed by fifty-one or
more of the most prominent and influential
men of the place, among whose names
were those of the three Clergymen Of the
different evangelical denominations Of
Christians. When the time Of the meet
ing arrived, the house was filed to Its Ut
most capacity with resident citizens, beside
| others from distance, who We're interested
in the proceedings. After the meeting
was organized the GLOWING preamble and
resolutions were adopted in part, and as a
whole, withom one dissenting uoice, save
| that some prominent men thought the SEN
timents contained in them were not so
strongly expressed as the circumstances de-
manded:
/ WHEaEAs--in the opinion Of the meet
inc, an inhunaan murder has been COM
mitted in this village, in the death Of an
innocent and unoffending young girl, Miss
| Hrldah Ann McCraney, facts and csrcan-
stances showing conclusively that it was
done under the guise Of friendship; it is
therefore
/ Resolped. That we, the citizens of this
village, differing as we do from the conclu-
sions of the jury b,,fore whom Mrs. Eliza
beth p. McCraney was tried, and by whom
she was acquitted, from the facts before US,
are compelled to believe her guilty Of the
alleged crime.
i Resolued, That we, as law-abiding citi-
zens, are opposed to all demonstrations
which encourage or favor any class Of per-
sons in any conduct unbecoming a moral
and law-abiding community, and will use
| influence to keep the deep and settled feel
inc within proper bounds, hoping that
our citizens will not indulge in any act
which will tend to disgrace themselves and
| the village, but will be content With fair
expression of their views in a peaceable
manner.
| Resolved, That in the opinion Of this
meeting it was an act Of imprudence, to say
aothing more, for Mrs. E. F. McCraney t.
r,tn,,n to this village, after her acquitted
I, .;no as she and her husband did, the
kuos state Of the community towards
/ her. ala o,,;,,;on of The
nsa,;ng With the fac..s and circumstances
before Us in relation to sal murder, ME. MS
/ Elizabeth p. McCraney il no. = P. IA,
person to be admitted into any resp e'' $:
society, and in our opinion, it i Tor the !,
terest # the accused and her family, to re-
move from this village as soon as It can De
done consistently. 8
ResoIred, That an effort to blast the
reputation and entail lasting infamy upon
the dead, for the purpose Of screening tne
guilty, after 2 post mortem examination
/ had exonorated her from all suspicion @
improper conduct, merits the reprooatlol
Of yirtuous and justly indignant com
munity. !.
meeting be published in all the county
napers. Franklin Vssitor, aud Mem lorf
Tribune.
Il win be perceived by the abcse VIDA
she opinion was, Of the inhabitants o. tn,