Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-03-10
A MURDER TRIAL IN ARKANsA.y.

Thomas Tod who travelled in the ArkansaN
country many years ago, before it became q
| State Of the Union, relates the following droll
| trial for murder He had stopped at a log hui
called hotel, and had good healthy nights
rest, but WAS awakened at sunrise by Rox,
rough stranger who had been his travelling
companion the previous day. -
stranger" said the rough customer, SIN
| sorry to wake you up, but the fact Is I've GO
| something on my mind, and couldn't wait nj
longer. Won't you 90 out little way with
| me?"
''Where to 2" / asked.
"Well, / want to go and call on Judge d.
I've got something on my mind must ont
| tried liquor last night; but couldn't keep il
| down. / amt drinking man, no how, and
feel like dog. Come along with me and bt
my friend"
There was q bold frankness in his nsnnel
that could not Withstand. I accordingly
| arose and equipped myself, and we walked t.
| the house Of the magistrate, who sent WORD
that he would - up in a couple Of hours.
"But tell him, " said my companion to the
| servant, 81 want to see him on a matter Of lif'
| and death"
"'Da's no use o. dat,'' grimm ed the negro
| ''massa don't care bout life and death till ht
| git he sleep out"
We left the house, but John Rox, as be
| called himself, did not allude to his pressing
Y,
judge you'll know ALL +"
We returned to breakfast, and I observed
| that Rox refused the morning dram presented
| to him By the landlord, and ate sparingIy
Something was evidently preying on his mind
and anxiously awaited the hour to hear i
developed The time came, and we were ad,
| mitted to the presence Of the dispenser of JUS
tiee, who was man of wealth, good spirits
| and rotuDdity Of person. "a
Il EEWqiI ~ said tho INDIA Iwb ba m
/ teri"
"Why, you see," said Rox, "day before
yesterday staid at &C. all day and hadn't 9
confounded cent and az wouldn't chisel,
went without eating. Yesterday morning
started OF as hungry as a panther, and so
rode along, thinks what em to do I'm
above cheating any man out Of dinner, but
dinner must have Juat then fellow came
riding along the road. l talked to him and
tried to borrow, swearing to pay him at such a
place in a week but the critter told nae be
paid bis way out Of his own pocket, and he'd
too little 10 divide
How much have you gOt2't says l.
1.-Two fifty" says ho
Now" thinks that il too little to dl.
vide - while be was looking another way
| shot hiEl through the head, and gin him 81
decent burial ss l could. under an old log,
and took the two dollars and half But ii
wont do, my conscience torments me I am
sorry for il, and wish the fellow had his money
back if be could only be alive; but between
you and as it's too late for thst, think
ought to be hung"
Tbs judge called his black boy. ordered
three pipes and tobacco, and We smoked in
silence
"Then yOa really think you ought 10 be
hung, he asked with some compassion, as he
Whitfield a cloud Of smoke toward the ceiling
Il do, ia fact" answered John, emitting a
simusT volume Of the same gss.
The Judge smoked and considered sgsin,
"Well. wen try to hang you" be added
There was gratitude in Johns eye, as he
answered THANK you that will ease my con.
science
The judge Knocked the ashes from his pipe
and spoke; We'll, come here in half an hour.
III try TO get jury
Kox and myself laying down cur pipes on the
table, were about leaving, when the Judge
asked Us to take drink, which having done,
we bade him good morning. In half an hour
We returned, when We found twelve men
smoking and drinking with the magistrate,
awaiting us. We were politely requested to
sit down.
"Now,'' ssid Judge D., addressing himself
to hox, "tell these gentlemen what yeu have
already told me"
Whereupon ROx made the came statement
"Now, gentlemen" P" continued the Judge, az
wish you to say If this gentleman-Mr. Rox
your rnameis-eh! !-well-there's g some fine old
brandy, make yourself perfectly at hor g.
whether, gentlemen, you fnd John Eox guilty
Of murder. In addition to what he has said,
have ssnt cut and found the body Just as be
has described"
The jury smoked, rose mp, took a little
brandy and water, and smoked again, until at
last one OF them, who appeared to be the fore.
man, said - The case is tOlerably clear, and
we rather think he's guilty"
/" There's more tobacco on the table" said
the judge TO R0x, " the best you can fad any
wEere-ycu'ye heard what these gentlemen
have said-well, don't like to tell you in my
own house, butt
Let there be no hindrsnoe," replied John
lighting his pipe. -
We'll then" said the judge, "come here
at IL o'clock Tomorrow, and I'll have you
hung"
John looked Disconnected, and appeared
mortified at the idea Of asking favor. "You
have been so kind to me, ;" said John, Z" that
hardly dare ask you for anything more"
'' Not at all, T" said the Judge, "out with it,
you are welcome to it before you ask. /" Ut
/" Well, said Rox, tomorrow Is my ague
day, and the shakes come on at eleYen-if You
would be so good as TO hang me at ten."
With the greatest Of pleasure" answered
the good: hearted judge, shaking Johns hand
'ten letit be-" - p
Accordingly John returned TO the inn--paid
up his bill; and he next morning was hung as
the clock struck ten. 90 -.- .-... "a