The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1862-06-27
Imposing Scene IN al English Court.


At a recent trial at the Old Bailey, Lol-
don, Geo Hammond, portrait painter,
was placed at the bar to be tried on an in
dictment found against himself by the
Grand jury, for the wiful murder, with
malice aforelhought, of George Baldwin, a
rope dancer and mountebank. the pris>
oner was a man of medium height, but
slender form. His eyes were blue and
mild. His whole bearing gave evidence
/ Of subIaed sadness and melanchol y resig-
nation; he was II years of age, had soft
voice, and his appearance and manner bore
evience ofhls beng man of distinguished
education, in spite of the poverty of his
dress.
On being called on to plead, the pris.
oner admitted that he did kill Baldwin,
and be deplored the act, adding however,
that on his soul and conscience he did not
believe himself guilty. Thereupon jury
was impsnneed to try the prisoner. The
indictment wal thcn read to the jury, and
the act Of killing being admitted, the Gov
ornment rested their case. and the prisoner
was called upon for his defence
The prisoaer then addressed himself to-
Tie Court and jury.
My Lori," said he, "my Justification
is to be found in recital of the facts
Three years ago lost daughter, then
four years of ace, the sole memorial Of
beloved wife, whom it had pleased God to
recall to himself lost her, but did not
see her die. She disappeared; she was
stolen from me. She was charming
child and but her had nobody in the
world 10 love mo- Gentlemen, what I
have suffered canno. be described; YOU
cannot comprehend it. | had expended
in advertising and in fru;tless searches, ev-
erythiDS possessed, furniture, pictures,
even TO my clothes. All have been sold.
" For three years on foot had been
seeking for my child in all the cities and
in all the villages in the three kingdoms.
As soon as by painting portraits | had sue
cceded in gaining little money, return
ed 10 London 10 commence my advertise.
ments in the newspapers. Al length, on
Friday, the II Ii Of April last, crossed the
Smithtield cattlo market In the centre
of the market troop of mountebanks
were performing !heir teats. Among them
ch;l1 was turning on its head supported
on 4 halbeFd. 4 ray from the soul Of its
mother must have penetrated my own, for
me 20 have recognized my chitc in that
condition. L was my poor child. Her
mother would perhaps have precipi,ated
herself towards her, and locked herself in
her arms. As for me- veil passed over
my eyes. | knew not how it was-I, ha-
bituallv gentle, even to weakness, seized
him by the clothcs-I raised him in tho
air, then dashed him to the eround-then
again; he was dead. Afterwards repent
ed what had done. At the moment,
regretted that | was able TO kill but one.' (
Lord Chief Justice Tindale: These
are not Christian sentiments How can
You expect the Court and jury to look
with favor ol your defence, or God 10
pardon you if you cannot forgive?'
Prisoner-"I know, my lord, what will
be your judgment, and hat of the jury;
but God has pardoned me, feel it in my
heart. Iou know not-I knew not then
the whole extent Of the evil that that
man had done. When some com passion
ate people brought me my daughter Ip
prison, she WAS no longer my child she
was corrupt, body and soul her manner
her language, Infamous, like those with
whom she had been living. | did not rec-
ognize her myself. DO you comprehend
now That man had robbed me of the
love and soul of my child. And II
have killed him but once"
Foreman" NV lord, we have agreed
upon our verdict"
Chief Justice" | uuders and you, gen
tlemen, but the law must take It's course.
must sum up the case, aud then you Will
retire to deliberate"
The Chief Justice having summed up
the case, the jury retired, and in an instant
after returned into Court with verdict
Of " Not Guilty"
On the discharge of Hammond, the
sheriff was obliged to surround him with
an escort. The women were determined
to carry him off in triumph. The crowd
followed him all the way TO his lodgings
with deafening shouts and huzzas.
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