Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1872-11-21
PersonaI Recollecsten. 9s sewara.

From the Columbus (N. ~ journal. zf,...,,ts r :.
4 gentleman of this city who had been an
intimate friend of Mr.. Seward since fS32s aud
whose acquaintance with Mr.. Stewards public
life dates beyond that--he having been q resi-
dent of the Senatorial district represented by
Mr., Seward in the New York Legislature for
some years prior to that-has detailed 10 US
in conversation some interesting personal
recollections outside the published Biographies
of Mr.. Seward, which are presented without
effort TO make connected narrative. st.l
= Mr.. Stewards father. Mr.. 8. 8. Seward, OF
Florida, Orange County, N. y, was a very
wealthy man. He made at one time q wili
which left the whole of his property to WEI
liam Fl. On learning of this fact Mr. Seward
persuaded his father 10 make o new will, by
which the other children were made sharers
equally in the distribution of his property.
Among other public bequests made under the
new will, he gave $50, 600 for the establish
nient OF, q seminary ut Florida, adapting She
old homestead to the purpose, with additions
of suitable, character. William III. Seward
executed the trust in this matter with great
liberslity. Some of his friends demonstrated
with him for appointing a Principal who was
Presbyterian, he being a strict Episcopalian.
MIR. Seward replied that his object was to-
obtain the best teacher he could procure, and
he refused to consider the objection The
trustees of the fathers estate distributed $1 -
800, 900 before the entire business was
closed up. ...,... ....-., ,..res-.,,n$S.,sm.r
Mr. Seward heard that, as an advocate, he
had no right to refuse to defend any case
brought to him. He was, consequently, cna-
ployed frequently in cases of the most un-
in court was in the Hudson river bridge case,
in 1853 For some years previous he had
been employed as counsel Of the New Yoskl
Central Road. Erastus Corning had opposed
Dir. Seward until he found that his transcen-
dent ability made it almost necessary to ena-
ploy him. They were always great personal
friends. 5ry YFpHs oij ID gH7a;@z a51noqn9 {
One of the celebrated cases with which Mr.
Seward was connected, was "the freeman
case, Freeman had been o convict In the
Auburn penitentiary. Soon after his dis
as fast as they came to him at the doeT. The
people were exceedingly outraged by the
murders, and In almost any ether community
in this country he would have been lynched
AHUniversalist minister and several other
kind hearted people urged Mr.. Seward 10
defend the wretch. He was oyerrl1n with
business and at first declined, but finally gave
way. The trial occupied month. The
Prosecuting Attorney General was assisted
by John Van Buren, then Attorney General
The Judge and jury were opposed to the
prisoner from the beginning, and he was re-
fused a change of venue. Al conviction fol-
lowed Mr.. Seward held that the man WAS
insane, made 50 by ill~treatment while in,
prison. He then appealed to the Governor
(Silas 'Wrighu TO srspend sentence until
points could be carried to the Supreme Court
This was refused. ID Mr.. Seward then! sought,
out one of the Judges of tho Supreme Court
and, argued. the case In chambers. A writ,
was granted and a new trial ordered All
this time there was great clamoT kept up
against Seward, but 80 sure was he thas JUS
tice had not been done that he kept ON his
way steadily. After his return hs~ prevailed
upon the Judge who had tried The case tes
visit FREEMAN In prison. Tie Judge was
asteunded to find that the prisoner was u.s.
mistakably insane and in dying condition.
He Was much affected, and turning TO Mr.
Seward, said: mr. Seward, you were right,
and we all were wrong; the man shall never
be tried again" Soon afterward Freeman
died, and a post tnOEtcm deyelosgd the fact
that his brain was almost Destroyed by dis
case. This case aAiaied much te Mr. Sewarti's
fame both as lawyer and just man in the
end, though II made him excessively unpopsl,
lar for time. His defense Of Freeman was
pronounced by Gladstone the abaest defense
in the English language. An English gentle.
man said, 'yoa forget Huskisson." Glad
stone replied, 81 do not forget-there Is
nothing in the English language equal to the
defense. y The defense was wiAhOst fee 4
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