Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-01-31

James r. A. Smith testified that he had
been clerk in the employ of Mr.. Butler
and that he was present when Mrs. Far
mer made her mark on the paper, tpowel
of Attorney f.st-
r. III. Butler testified that he was the
son of r. r. Butler, and that he was pres
ent when Mrs. Farmer made her mark on
the paper, tpower of Attorney he was q
witness to the whole transaction, and knew
all the particulars of it.
Nathan Brooks was next called. He also
was present when Mrs. Farmer made her
mark, and stated that he knew her well ;
The Court. What's the use of proceed
ing further with this case?
7 Mr.. Davidge l have nothing to say,
your Honor. t ri
The District Attorney. feel IL my duty
to say what should have stated some time
ago, after the examination of these respec-
tive witnesses, that all of them seem to con-
tradict this single witness, but supposed
the gentlemen wanted to make the fullest
vindication they can.
The Court. II could hardly he more
complete than it IS now.
Mr.. Davidge. / desired to proceed until
we had some intimation from the court in
respect to the vindication of the defend
ant.
The Court. There is not the slightest
foundation for the prosecution.
The District Attorney privately remind
ed the court that what he had said might
be looked upon as reflection upon him in
the discharge of his official duties.
The Court said he had no intention of
being understood as charging the District
Attorney with any excess of zeal in the
performance of his duty, and directed the
Jury to return verdict of not guilty.
The Court directed that the witnesses for
the defendant be paid by the Govern
ment.
District Attorney Fisher said, before
they proceeded with the next case against
Mr.. Butler, he would now hold confer
ence with the defendants counsel, and ex-
anime some of their witnesses before he
would proceed.
After short absence he returned and
asked that D HoiIC Drosequt be entered i'll
the second case, as he was clearly of the
opinion that in the case of Mrs. Madden,
the second. against Mr.. Butler, the Gov
ernlnent had not q shadow of q case: he
had examined the witnesses, and was sat
isfied that Mrs. GLADDEN. had also author
lied Mr.. Butler to use her name for all
purposes, and further, that she had re-
ceived every dollar from Mr.. Butler that
she was entitled to.
Judge Wylie so ordered, and in dismiss
ing the case, said that while he did
not blame the District Attorney or the
grand jury who found the bills against Mr..
Butler, there was great fault in the Gov
ernment officials that dictated and furthered
the prosecution, and that they ought not
to believe the statements ofa single woman
as In that case.
He thought that the public interests were
not subserved, and did not think any seri-
ous damage was done to the reputation OF
Mr.. Bulle. by such q prosecution as this,
as there was no case at all, either in law or
equity, against him, and for q single dollar
the Government officials might have
known the fact, as the attesting witnesses
could have as well been interrogated by
letter "a to have had this failure To injure
the reputation of Mr.. Butler
He made the same order in reference 20
the witnesses for the defense.
Mr. Davidge remarked that they felt
pleasure in thanking the District Attorney
for the frankness he had shown during the
progress of the case. Mr.. Butler was con-
graduated heartily by his counsel and
friends, who were sure that the foul
charges heaped upon him could not in any
manner be proved. He then left the court,
followed by an immense throng OF friends.
- Washington Chronicle, Jan. 2S.