Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-11-08
The Techp,cn,i,,es Of the Law.

| Yesterday morning rumor was current tna'
dark crime had been attempted the nignt pe,
fore and considerable curiosity was maniIesteu
to learn the particulars but when the Vlctlm
was named confidence in the report was soIne-
what shaken though the interest OF many was
not abated as from the known character OF the
parties the trial promshed somewhat ol rich-
ness.
lanes Cotton. James Smith and James Risdon,
who were charged with attempting the outrage,
and at three o'oclck the trial came off at Esquire
/ ,Jourolmon's Office which was witnessed by a
large number of spectators.
Katie Hodge, the victim IN the case was
first put on the stand, who stated that she was at
home on Monday night when Mr.. Cotton called,
| but she refused TO admit him, when she said he
| had gone theianguagc OF the poem,
'0f all sad words of tongue or pen.
The saddest are it might hare been"
And thinking of her unprotected situation,
and the horrors of what might have been,
she sought refuge in fight from those who would
desecrate her maiden retirement by their pres
ence. From her asylum she waited and watched,
and about an hour afterwards saw four mascu-
line forms approach the house whence she had
fed, and raise the curtain, which one did by
putting his hand through a broken pane OF
glass and peer within But the bird had flown
from her parent nest, and they retired discOm-
fitted frsTEf11
She gave in her testimony with an air the
"chaste Judith" might have enYied, when
Mary Branner was called on to give her evil
dence which substantiated that of the first wit
ness. But little information was obtained from
four other witnesses until Abram Oldren made
his deposition. 49, Gfs~ E ~ /
This witness was decidedly emphatic, enforc-
ing his testimony by gestures more numerous
than elegant, perhaps, and completely contra
dicted the most of the evidence given previously
IN the case. A little cross-examining, however,
by States Attorney, changed somewhat the
phase of the matter.
Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Crews were also ex-
amined for the defense, whose testimony went
to show that Risdon went to rent the house, or
a portion of it, and went there for that purpose,
Short, but able arguments were made by re-
spective counsel the remarks of the plaintiffs.
attorney being at times quite caustic.
After patient hearing, and careful conside-
ration of the facts educed, Esquire Joroulmon
announced it as the decision of the court that |
Dir. Risdon be Internationally released, that |
Mr.. Smith be discharged upon the payment of
a fne and that Mr.. Cotton be bound over to the
Criminal Court. Mr.. Smith, however, claim |
ing, by counsel, that he had committed no Of |
Tense, refused to submit to any assessment of |
fine, and preferred going before a higher tri- /
bunal, so he also, goes before the Criminal |
Court. Bond was promptly:furnished by both |
parties and here, for the present, the matter |
rests. -..... ..
The attorney for the defense, in his argument
seemed to think thatthe prosecution was not on
" frivolous, but malicious on the part of the |
mother of the girl, Hodge. How this is, of
course, we do not pretend TO say, but we heard
gentleman remark after the close of the case
hat she bore that character, and that
he had once attempted to procure q warrant
or the arrest of gentleman OF this city, well
Known and highly respectable merchant, upon
very frivolous charge, evidently with the de-
ire to effect a monetary compromise, but which
he.was unable to obtain.