The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1870-12-10


of human kindness and Irishman's
mercy to the oppressed knows no
bounds.
The great Eustis, for great he was,
had the closing argument, and he
could not think Of having come from
New Orleans to Ouachita to prose
cute murderer, and be worsted by
back country lawyer. That must not
be. It was a struggle Of giants.
1t is true that words are but wind,
but much depends upon the way
they are dove tailed together, wheth-
er they are to do good, or harm.
If words could be made to burn, Eus-
tbs and Lewis and kirkpatrick would
have succeeded in making them do so.
Since that effort of forensic strength
have heard nothing to equal the
efforts made on both sides.
The pleadings through, at twelve
o'clock on the third day the Judge
delivered all able charge to the jury,
part of which was, that if there a
doubt in the minds of the jury as to
the guilt of the prisoner, she was
entitled to the benefit of the doubt,
for better that one hundred guilty
persons go clear than one innocent
person should suffer.
Well, the jury retired, l expect
each with an opinion of some sort
formed. Mr.. Beard, a staid old
French gentleman, had been ap-
pointed foreman Of the jury. In
a short time. the foreman put the
question thus to the jurors:
"Well, fellow.juro I expect you
are all tired enough I know [ am.
What is your opinion, in this mat
ter? I wish to know"
One replied "Mr. Beard, you
are the foreman, and I think we are
entitled to your opinion, and ask
it of you" .s.
And so do IT, and So do T." 9th
ers said and thus the request went
round for the foreman's opinion.
Well, gentleman, [ must say
can do nothing else but find Milly
Baker guilty, as charged in the in
dictment." .. "
So, 1 think, all proclaimed to be
lieve but one. He answered:
Gentleman, maybe [ am wrong
to differ from you, if it is your opin
ion that Milly Baker murdered
Patsy Donivan."
Whom, then, do you think dif
that actr asked a juror.
Gentleman, that is another mat
ter. 1t is not my privilege to sa'
who did it,"
: Well, it was deep in the thirt
day that we had been attending o.
this case. The fourth day came ant
the Jury stood to 4 in favor OF cor
viction, with strong feeling pre-
, vailing against the dissenters. W
:, all began to be extremely cross.
Finally, on the sirth day from tn
time the jury was empanneled, W
agreed upon a verdict of NOT GUII
/ TY. But, still, I doubt not tina
nineteen -twentieths of the peoE
lie of Ouachita believed that Mill
f Baker was the murderer of Pats
{ Donivan. Prepare yourself, reade
| to hear the truth.
: Fully forty years after the mu
Y der of Mrs. Maddox, this same n
/ gro Joe confessed, Oh his dying be'
to one of the most tfuth-loving me
O in the parish of Ouachita, that /
y did the deed--that he killed Mr.
e Maddox himself! " 1..'.s3.. .... -. 49,.
: Only three of all that were CO.
e cerned in that exciting troubl
e whether Judge, lawyer, witness
a Juror, are now living. [ lived
d learn the truth. L did believe tn
J. the negro Joe murdered his your
Y mistress, answering that the des
It could tell no tales, and he knew
l. had done an act that nothing b.
n the sacrifice of his life could ato1
If for. More than forty years did tn
n act lie dormant in the safe-keepll
of the murderer's own breast. Ju
$. at the approach Of his own death
l. confessed to having done the dee
ic To whom did he confess itY :
m Judge Lewis F. Lamy. 81. w.