Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-05-11
A Case Of Circumstantial Evidence

In the year 1928, a young man who
was serving his apprenticeship in Lon
don TO u master oaii-maker, got leave
to visit his mother, to spend the
Christmas holidays. She lived d few
miles beyond Deal, in Kent. He
walked the journey, and on his arri-
val at Deal, in the evening, being
much tatigued, and also troubled with
a bowel complaint, ne applied to the
landlady OF public house, who was
acquainted with his mother, for
nights lodging. Her house was full,
and every bed occupied; but she told
him that if he would sleep with her
uncle, who had lately come ashore,
and was boatswain OF an lndiaman,
he should be welcome. He was glad
to accept the offer, and after spend
ing the evening with his new comrade,
they retired TO rest. In the middle
OF the night he was attacked with his
complaint, and wakening his bedfel-
low, he asked him the way to the gar
den. The bOatSwain told him to 90
through the kitchen, but as he would
find it difficult to open the door into
the yard, the latch being out of order
he desired him to take knife out of
his pocket, with which he could raise
the latch. The young maG did as he
was directed, and after remaining
nearl y half an hour in the yard, he re-
turned to his bed, but was much sur
prised to find his companion had ri8-
en- and gone. Being impatient to Wis
it his mother and friends, he also
rose before day and pursued his jour
ney, and arrived home at noon.
The landIady who had been told
of his intention to depart early was
not surprised; but not seeing her un-
Gle early in the. morning, she went to
call him. She was dreadfully shock
ed to find the bed stained with blood,
and every inquiry after her uncle in
vain. The alarm now became gener-
al and on further examination, marks
of blood were traced from the bed
room into the street, and at intervals
down to the edge of the pier head
Rumor was Immediately busy, and
suspicion fell, of course, On the young
man, who had slept with him, that he
had committed the murder, and thrown
the body over the pier into the sea-
A warrant was issued against him,
and he was taken that evening at his
mothers house. On his being exam,
ined and searched, marks Of blood
were discovered on his shirt and trow.
sers, and in his pocket were a knife
and a remarkable silver coin. both of
! which the landlady swore positively
were her uncle's property, and that
she saw them III his possession on the
evening he retired to rest with the
young man. On these strong circum
stances the unfortunate youth was
, found guilty. He related all the above
: circumstances in his defense; but as
he could not account for the marks
of blood on his person, unless he got
/ them when he returned to the bed
!, nor for the silver coin being In his
possession, his story, was not credit
, ed. The certainty of the boatswain's
disappearance, and the blood at the
, pier traced from his bedroom, were
two evident signs of mis- having been
murdered and even the judge was
so convinced of his guilt, that he or
dered the execution to take place in
three days. At the fatal tree the
i youth declared his innocence, and per-