Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-08-14
CLOSING Scene in the surratt Trial.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 10.

ASSIGNED the seat occupied BY him during the
fr;.f beside his counsel. He came into ooart
smil;ro and seemed in good spirits, as ne
cbattcd with his counsel. Mr.. Merrick made
an allusion to a report that an attempt wouiu
be made at rescue, whereat the prisoner
seemed much amused. as,
AZ five minutes past one, Judge Fisher re-
.snmed his seat upon the bench. By this
time the room was much crowded. lhe jury
was brought IN.
said Gentlemen Of the Jury, have you
agreed upon verdict ?"
Mr.. Todd, foreman, said: I" We have not
been able to agree" -.
Judge Fisher said: II have received the
following letter from the Jury:
To His Honor Geo. P. Fisher, in charge Of
Criminal Court:
Sir: The Jury in the case of the U. 5. VS..
John Il. Surratt, most respectfully state tnat
they stand precisely now rs when they hrst
ballotted upon entering the room, nearly
equally divided, and they are firmly convinced
that they cannot possibly make verdict.
We deem it our duty to the court to the
country and in view of the condition OF our
private affairs aud situation of our families,
and in view Of the fact that the health OF
several of our members is becoming seriously
injured under the protracted confinement, to
make thi. statement, and ask your honor to
dismiss us at once.
Most respectfully submitted.
w. B. Todd, Robt Ball, j. r. Barr, Thos.
Berry, Geo. A. Bohrer, @. G. Schneider,
James J. Davis, Columbus Alexander, VIM.
Mclean, Benz. F. Morrell, B. E. Gettings and
w. w. Birth.
After the letter had been read, Judge Fish
er asked if ANYTHING was to be said ON either
side why h, Jury should not be discharged.
Bradley said the prisoner did not consent,
and, if there was any discharge, it would be
against the protest of the prisoner.
Darlington said he would leave the whole
matter with the Court.
Judge Fisher said he had already received
two or three notes of similar character to
the one read. If there was any possibility
of the Jury agreeing, he would not object to
keeping them for reasonable time; but, as
h, was informed they could not possibly
agree he would discharge them.
The Jury was, accordingly, discharged at
ten minutes past one o'clock. The Jury then
left the courtroom.
Judge Fisher then Immediately read the
duty to discharge, but one which | cannot
forego. On the second day of July last,
during the progress of the trial of John II.
Surratt for the murder of Abraham Lincoln,
Immediately after the Court had taken re-
cess until the following morning, as the pre-
siding Justice was descending from the bench
Joseph FL. Bradley, Esq, accosted him in o
rude and insulting manner, charging the
Judge with having offered hin, (Mr. Bradley.
o series of insults from the bench from the
commencement of the trial. The Judge dis
claimed any intention whatever of passing any
insult, aud assured Mr.. B. that he entertained
for him no other feelings but those of respect
Mr.. Bradley, so far from accepting this e1
planatiop or disclaimer, thereupon threatened
the Judge with personal chastiscment as he
understood. No Court can administer justic,
or live if its Judges are to be threatened will
personal violence on all occasions, wheneve
the counsel may be excited by any imaginary
insult. The offence o.! Mr.. Bradley is ont
which even his years will not palliate; i
cannot be overlooked nor go unpunisbed a.
a contempt of Court: 1t is, therefore, ordered
that his name be stricken from the roll o
attorneys practising in this Court"
Bradley Immediately rose to his feet ant
asked if the Court had adjourned.
| Judge Fsher-"It II has not, sir"
Bradlcy-"Then, sir, in the presence o
Court and this assembly, hereby pronounce
the statement just made by the Judge q:
utterly false in every particular.
Judge Fisher, intcrrupting-"C Crier, adjourn
the Court"
Mullcry, the crier-" This Court is nov
adjourned"
Bradley-"Well, then, will say now
Fisher, rising to leave the bench" Yo'
can say what you please, sir, and make
sreach to the crowd if you like"
Bradley" You have no authority to dis
miss me from the bar that must be the ac
of three of the Judges Of the Supreme Court.
Judge Fisher made reply, which wa
inaudible 10 our reporter, and then LETT tn
room, followed by large crowd of persons
Immediately after leaving the court room
Judge Fisher proceeded to the street aud Ell
tered car. He was followed closely by Brad
ley, who entered the car, and stepping up t
Judge Fisher, handed him note. Judg
Fisher took the notc rose 10 his feet, opeue'
it, and began to read it; and Mr.. Bradle
turned aud left the car, around which an e1
cited crowd had gathered.
1t is understood the note was challenge
Several police sprang into the car, and office
Mckinney slipped to the side of Mr.. Bradley
and remained in that position while he re
manned in the car. Leaving the car, Mr.
Bradley passed through the crowd aud entered
his office, and was followed by several friend
belonging to the Bar. A large crowd imme
diately gathered on the correr in front of hi
Office. After remaining in his office few
moments, Mr. Bradley came out, arm-in. arm
with his brother, Charles Bradley, Esq, o
the National Bank of the Republic, and pre-
cceded down Louisiana Avenue, followed BY
crowd of friends and curious persons, wht
c1citeily discussed the proceedings which
had just transpired.
In the meantime Judge Fisher resumed hi
perusal of the note. When the car movec
off number Of bis personal friends had en-
tered the car and a great deal OF apprehcn
sion was manifested Of a personal encounter
between the Judge and the deposed lawyer.
A movement is on foot to indict Bradley
for sending Judge Fisher challenge, but i
appears that Bradley simply accepted Judg'
Fishers verbal challenge, offered during th'
difficulty. which led to Bradey's debasenent
They dilemma is, if Bradley is punishable
for accepting, Judge Fisher is liable for send
ing. The penalty is fine and Imprisonment
for Eve years All interest in the Surrat
trial yield, to the Fisher and Bradley quarrel
The jurors for conviction are: Todd
Schneider, Mclean and Barr.
The revenro receipts to-day amount tt
Sn5, 900; for the week S3,744 600,
.TLo Dostofios don, ~ mani las authoriynf