Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1873-07-16
Calling the Dead.

Everybody will remember that Ma
tilda Heron, the actress, while in Cali
fornia, some years since, married a
lawyer popularity known as "Harry
Byrne," from whom she subsequent
ly parted. Upon his death, a year or
two ago, Miss Heron went to San
Francisco in tho hope of securing a
portion at least Of the handsome prop.
erty ho was said to have left, in which
effort, we believe, she failed. Byrne
was universally admitted to be man
of rich and scholarly literary attain
ments and OF original and eloquent
genius as an advocate. Among the
many instances Of his tact as a prose-
cutor, the following from Faisco pa
per, is perhaps the most striking:
Some time in the year lS-, a gen
tleman from one section of the coun-
try, being disploased with the conduct,
actions, or words ofanother, manifest
ed his disapproval by deliberately
shooting him down.
In his hour of need the influence OF
his element was employed; bis sec.
tional friends flocked around; emf
nent counsel were engaged, among
whom were the names of such men as
Baker, McDougal and Tingley, the
leaders Of the bar. Byrne, who oocu.
pied the position of District Attorney,
being at that time a very young man
of rising talents, who was winning his
way to the high position he afterwards
attained, and Elisha Cook.
The day of trial commenced, but it
was conceded on all sides that the
prisoner, with his eminent counsel, bis
command of money, and his throng
of sympathizing friends, would cheat
the gallows and mock at justice. AZ
ter the evidence was all in, Mr.. Cook
made an able and brilliant opening for
the State, but to no avail. Then fol-
lowed tho counsel for defence. They
were forcible, able and eloquent
They had a powerful effect wrought
upon the jury, and it was palpable to
all that there was scarcely possibili.
ty ofa verdict antagonistic 20 the
prisoner.
Mr.. Byrne rose in the courtroom
and amid deep silence proceeded to
close for tho prosecution. Pale rs the
white walls around him, with long and
flowing black locks, his eyes burning
and glowing like blazing coal, he tore
the veil of sophistry, weaved around
the subject by his adversaries, and
laid the bald and awful facts before
the jury. Now rising to awful do.
nunciation, no seemed a Nemesis tc
the covering criminal before him now
he turned his voice to low persuasion
as he sought to mould the jury to biz
wishes. But, as he paused, after 0
tremendous effort, his eyes persuaded
him that, unless ho called to his ait
some new and startling line ofaction
the verdict would be against him.
At the time an old and eccentric
man was bailiff of the court, O1e O
his peculiarities was to sleep through
the arguments of counsel, and naughI
could arouse him save the command o
the court and the voice OF the District
Attorney directing him to do some of
fetal act; but at these well knowr
sounds he would start from bis sea
with an alacrity remarkable for one o
bis years.
Turniogt to the old man, (who was on
ljoying his usual nap) Byrne, TO whom
this idiosyncrasy was well known
pointed bis finger at the peaceful coun
tenance, and then eulogized his faith
full attention to bis duties. "But,
said hc, "bc has in this case loft on
duty unperformed." Then, with
voice that thrilled through men
hearts and made the rafters ring
"Mr Bailiif, call VIM, Aoams." TIL
old man sprang from his scat, and hur
rying across tho courtroom to the en-
trance beyond, called in weird, thicl
manner, tho dead mans namc, qWil
liam Adams, William Adams, William
Adams, come into the court"
The criminal sbivered In his seal
mems blood flowed coldly, and the g.
lcnce was rs death Justice SCENE,
ctying to Heaven for retribution th
faces Of the jurors grow white an
blue, and each man glued his eye
upon tho door az if hc expected th
apparition TO answer the summons.
aGcntlemen," continued Byrne
nthat witness can never come. Th
ono who can relate to you tho circun
stances OF this tragedy lies IN his col
and silent grave. No bailiffs voic
can rouse him from bis eternal sleep
naugbt save the clarion blast Of tb
Arc6angol's trump can pierce the adj
mantino walls Of his resting place II
has been deafened forever BY him VIII
stands arraigned at this bar. Bas'
brutal, bloody man, upon you bang
this awful responsibility. Yonr HAND
have dabblcd In his blood, and as "a
instrument ofoutraged society, ! dc
, mand your conviction"
Genius triymphod. Justice was vi
dicated, and the prisoner cxpiatod b