Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1867-12-13

jail. FROM TINS point onward LOT some
months, l have not yet been able TO trace
his history with as much certainty and
clearness as might be desired.
When one esteemed criminal leaves
any community, there are few who look
after him, or care to trace the events of a
life whose hopes are blasted. In this
case, however, the accused had many rela-
tives and those who had been friends. His
faithful counsel, also, in this desperate ex-
tremity, clung to the fortunes Of his client
in manner which reflects the highest
credit upon his professional character and
ability. He could not gain admission in
province to the court as counsel in the case
but all that could properly be done by a
lawyer for his client was done by him.
As am informed the effects put forth
to save Captain Weatherwax from the
gallows were simply desperate, SO far as
anything can be called desperate in crmi-
nal proceedings. need not inform those
who are at all familiar with criminal trials
that there are methods known to the ini-
tiated, by which evidence changes its char
acter, and black becomes white, and two
and two when added together by some
strange process are made equal to five. In
the case of which am writing, there are
names which have by request, suppressed
and persons TO whom have made no allu-
sion, because they were understood to have
been so far compromised in cheating JUS
tice in the effort to save Captain Wealth
erwax, that after this long interval of time
they do not wish 10 be mentioned in con-
nection with the man whose innocence has
been demonstrated since the commence
ment of the present calendar.
The accused remained in confinement
in Montreal for the space of one year. !
will not attempt to describe any of the
manipulations to which it is understood he
was indebted for his life. 1t is sufficient
to state that the accused is said to have
been once tried by the jury, who failed TO
agree, and / find it on the record that he
was tried by jury and acquitted on the
charge of the Judge, that the evidence
was not sufficient to convict.
So ten years ago the Captain was agail
released and returned to his home again il
Plattsburgh. Thus legal proceedings end
ed. Thus the life saved to the accuses
seemed hardly worth the having. No on
, believed him innocent. The mark Of Cal
was placed upon him, and he was shunne
and dreaded even by his own relatives.
} thousand times he has been accused b
them of the murder of their kinsman.
would seem that the dread of disgrace
rather than doubts of guilt, has caused tn,
efforts to save him from punishment. TIL,
eleven years that have passed since th
accusation was made, have been sad and
weary to this man. He has stood alone il
the belief and knowledge of his innocence
! And here we reach the last, and above
all others, strange event of this history
Early in the present month of October
Andrew Weatherwax appeared among hi
friends and relatives in the southern par
of the town of Plattsburgh. When intel
ligence of his return was brought to thos,
who participated in the scenes of 1856
which l have narrated, they refused II
credit it. Said Mr.. McMasters, will be
lieve it when see him, not before. Ant
so some ten days since, the veritable An
drew came to the village.
The account which Andrew gives o
himself is, that on that July night, in 1856
he left the boat lying at the wharf at Pix
river, and wandered off to rum shop il
the neighboring settlement. Already part
ly intoxicated, and irritated by the event
OF the day, it did not take long for him #
become embroiled with certain tipsy fel
lows he found there. He says he was ar
rested, brought before a magistrate ant
fined. Not having the money to pay tn
fine, he was about to be placed in clos
confinement, when man stepped forwar'
and offered to take him as seamen, Civ
ing an advance of wages to pay the fine
Andrew accepted and was speedily shipped
on an English vessel. He went as a com
mon sailor to China, to Australia and Il
various parts of the world in differen
vessels. He returns now and learns fo
the first time of his supposed death b,
violence.
Since the return of his cousin, Captain
John G. Weatherwax is another man. Th'
confidence, vigor and light heartedness o
his younger days have returned to him
Friends cannot do enough TO recompens'
him for the suffering he has endure'
through their unjust condemnation.
There is still mystery connected will
this case. No rational account can be
given of the body that was found and iden
tilted as that of Andrew Weatherwax. N