The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-02-26
Mr.. Eaton-was lie Really Beaten

One of the most remarkable trials that
ever took place in Massachusetts was that
of the KENNIsToNs, OF Ipswich, in
1917, for highway robbery. They
were defended by DANIEL WEBSTER.
They were charged with having robbed
Major ELIJAH PUTNAM GooDRIDGE,
a young man of good education and respecta-
BE connections, of fine personal appear
unce, gcntlcmanly department, and good
character. The Majors story was that,
while travelling from Bangor, where he re-
sided, to Boston, he was attacked on
the public road, near the Essex McT'
rimack bridge, and robbed. lie was or
horseback at the time, and he said that
three men suddenly attacked him, pulled
him from his horse, dragged him over the
frozen ground and over the fence, beating
him till he was senseless robbed him of
seventeen hundred dollars in money,
and left him with his gold watch
and all his papers in tho field
lie said the robbers had bruised his head,
stamped upon his breast, and stabbed him in
several places. A reward of three hundred
dollars, soon increased by voluntary sulscrip-
lions 10 one thousand dollars-as much for
those DAYS as five thousand is now-was
offered for the detection Of the robbers aud
lhe recovery of the money.
Major GooDRIDGE himself manifested but
little disposition at Grtt TO follow the matter
up and detect the culprits-pursuing q
course very similar TO Mr.. EAToN's in this
respect. But one circumstance after another
came to light, in connection with the trans
action, until some people felt doubts creep
Ing over their minds as to the truthfulncss o
tho Majors story This was enough to arous,
Major GooDRIDGE and his friends from thci
apathy, and they proceeded to make severa
arrests A man named JOSEPH JAcKMAN
from Newburyport, was arrested in New
York, and after being lodged in prison
until a requisition could be procurc'
from Massachusetts,, was taken in iron
10 Ipswich for trial. Mr., PEARSON, keeper O
the tollgato through which Major Goor
RIDGE passed Just before the alleged rol
berry man named TABER, of Boston
whom GooDRID0E said he had seen o
INC IOuu anu luc lNO biOlANlS his-NNiol'
who were found in an obscure part Of New
market, New Hampshire were also ARRESTED
Notwithstanding tho doubts which had Ice
awakened about there having been any roi
berry at all, the evidence against the accuse
had been got up 30 skiliully, III
the Standing of GooDRIDoE was 30 higl
that Ghen the time OF trial drew noG
no prominent member Of the Esser b0
,e0ud uadertoke tie defence, That cowar,
ly, snoLbisll, low, and false standard of " r
speciality" which the Neto York Times
seeking to set up here, seems to have bee
fully established there and, in cons
lncnP, tho accused pGrtica, although az i
AHconl % aatcIa blboA Hcull andOubtedl
EaJo lA!!1h Teg!Il1 70 tho ial1s net work
circumstance which had been cunning
woven around them by Major GooDRIDo
but for that great man, az well az gre
lawyer, DANIEL WEBSTER. He hi
Just removed to Boston from New Hampehil
lie was sent fer at tho last momcl
aud after riding nearly all night-thc
were no railroads in those days-he arriv
at Ipswich in time TO attend the trial
defended the KENNIsToNA and they WI