The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1869-02-17
Life OF the Turning of q Gard.

Some eighteen or twenty years since,
wcll-known resident Of Tipton county,
Tennessee. vas put on trial, charged
with the murder Of his wife. AS usual,
IN such cases, popular feeling was large
ly against him, and the elo9ucncc and
ingenuity OF counsel were required to
make an impression in his favor upon a
jury which, however impartial it might
desire to be in the cnncllsiveness of
sworn duty, could not but see the waves
Of popular prejudice surging in upon
them.
The case was ably argued The conn
sci for the defense made most vigorous
and passionate appeals. The case was
submltted to the jury, and they retired
to make up their verdict Time passed,
and as the setting sun warned all Of the
approach Of night. the large throng in
attendance. the judge, counsel, etc., re-
least go. to learn the verdict Of the jury,
and some wondering ,l,a. the jury hesi-
tated for n moment to bring in verdict
ofguilty. In the meantime the Jury
had come to point beyond which, they
could progress no further. The appeals
of tho counsel for the defense had not
been without their influence, and the
jury stood unchang "Jle-six tor con.
viction and six for acquitlal. Some
thing had to be done. In those days
twelve good fellows could not be gol
together for night and sleep. Cards
appeared mysterionsly from the depths
OF smdry large pockets. and exercises
in sevcn-up and poker were zcalously
commenced.
About midnight, one Of the number,
COL p, proposed that they should play
game ofseven. up, and the result de-.
cidethe verdict
The proposition was heartily and
unanimously agreed to, in all serious.
ness, and the whole crowd collected
around Col. p, and his opponent, who
proceeded to play the game, on which
was staked human lite.
s Col. P. played to save the accused
TIE b ,ckers, FIVE to FIVE, stood behind
them encouraging tho champions, and
watched the game, tlimly seen by the
light Of two tallow candles with the
most intense interest.
The game proceeded with very equal
fortune. till both parties stood at six and
six. It was Col. P.'s deal. He dealt
and turned up Jack. The prisoner was
, acquitted, and every member Of the jury
joined in the shout which startled the
village, even the jewellers in the "groco.
ry." Next morning The jury went into
court and gave, to tho astonishmcnt of
many, The verdict Ct mo. guilty" The
juryman who played an unsuccessful
game for human life slill lives, and il n
much respected citizen Of The district.
One of the counsel is very distinguish
cd member of tho Memphis bar, and
the accused is gone to higher court
bit neither Of them, nor the court, who
marvelled at the verdict eighteen years
ago, has ever known that human life
was saved by turning Jack. There arc
some curious episodes in the history O.
our early settlements; but who would
think Of venturing life on turning Jack
----'-7--.a -a~ se~-----
g SOUTHERN CAUoUs.--A caucus of the
u Southern Senator's was held on FRIDAY
Y night to secure united action on several
q matters relating to the South. One i.
4 I, to secure . fair share Of the Federal Off
Il cea, or prevent confirmation of others
y Another is to talk over railroad nastert
u and 70 combine TO carry through theil
Y local schemes, together with the new bill
OF the combined Pacific railroad compa.
1 nies. A third, and the one under dis
Z cussion, was q plan to lnsis, on payment
i ofaalaries tor the full period Of the For
tie,h Congress-, and block legislation or
some vital measure, If necessary, unit
tho demand is complied with. Befor,