The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1873-02-27
The Arson Case.

f'hursdav, February p, 1873.
The Arson Case.
By far the most interesting case
on tho docket Cor the present term
Of Court, was that OF State vs.. s. NJ
w lyman, which came to close last
Friday afternoon. Nearly three
days were required to dispose Of the
case, during which time It was up
pcrmoEt IN the minds OF both old
and young, male and female. It was
talked Of a. the breakfast table. in
every place OF business, at the ho-
tcls, in the work shops and in every
nook and corner OF Toledo. The
charge against the defendant was
that OF Arson, and we herewith give
the Indictment in full, which was %
follows
STATE or IOWA, $751;.
Benton County, S..
srArs or Iowa against 8. NJ. WrxAS.
no the Dist let Court Of said State. with
/ in and FOR said county at the March
Term thereof: In the year of our Lord one
Thousand Eight Hundred and seventy two.
The Jurors Of the Grand Jury Of the State
Of Iowa, within and for said county Of
benton, legally csrvoksd, smpanslsd, tr:~.i
sworn and charged. in the name aud by
the authority Of the State Of fswa, upon
their oath do aver. ..nc And present, that s.
NJ Wyman ~ And within said County. on
the 2!.n day Of December A. D, 1871, did,
in the day time, wilfully and maliciou.ly
and feloniously set ERE 10 and bIru Ger.
tain building. then and there being and sit
uated. composed Of brick, wood, iron. stone
sad glass, commonly known and designa-
ted as business house the property Of one
Samuel H. Watson, and occupied by divers
person. ~ store rooms. the names Of
whom are unknown to said jurors, the said
building. burned ~ Aforesaid, hsing Of the
value Of Thirty Tousand dollars, contrary
10 law.
wN. G. THOMPSON,
Dist Atty. s,hsDis.. lows.
a very brief history of the case
may 40; be out OF place At this time.
IN the mouth Of April 1871, tho de-
PENDANT rented a storeroom in the
building which was burned, and with
partner, embarked il the clothing
trade, All things went merry as a
marriage bell" until Dec. Gath Of the
same year, at which time the build
ing was destroyed by fire. Some
time elapsed before the owner Of the
buildiag suspected Wyman OF fir
ing it, but the development OF facts
aud circumstances pointed to the
guilt Of the defendant, against whom
in the above Indictment was made
at the March Term 1872, OF the Dis.
trict Court OF Benton county. A war
rant was issued BY the Clerk Of the
Court, for his appearance It the
October Term OF said court, the bail
for such appearance beng fixed NJ
five thousand dollars. The bond
Was given March 2sth, 10, ard filed
with the Clerk OF tho District Court
Tor Benton county. The defendant
appeared in person at the October
term, and pleaded NOT guilty and
presented petition for change OF
venue, which was granted, and the
bond a. then filed for his appearance
was continued. Proper notice WAS
given him to appear in person At the
February Term 1873, Of the District
Court OF Tama county, which he did.
The evidence was 30 extensive that we
will not attempt to give any portion
OF it. Daring the examination OF
witnesses, and the time occupied BY
the attorneys in summing up the svi.
dsncs, the Court Room wal we'll
filed and ma : ladies es;upisb ssst !.
within the railing.
Maj. Thompson Of Marion, DIS
triot Attorney, appeared on behalf Of
the State, and Marshall s. Casssll, Of
Clsv Gland, Ohio and Mr.. Allen ef
Boise, Allen 4 Couch) Of Waterloo,
IN sodntel for defendant.
Maj. Thompson made the opening
pl.a, Thursday afternoon, reviewing
closely the testimony aud was follow
ed in the evening BY Mr.. Allen, who
made very logical and forcible ar
gument Of two hoars and quarter.
The entire session Of the forenoon
Of Friday was occupied BY Mr..
Cassell, whe made most touching
plea, or behalf Of the defendant
The afternoon session was opened
BY the closing plea Of Mr.. Thomp.
son on the part Of the prosecution.
N Notwithstanding the fact, the nature
Of Tho evidence WAS such, that it
Was generally thought the State had
no ease, the effort was among the
best il has ever bssn our fortune 10
hear the Major make and TO him
great credit II due for tho faithful
md Thorough manner Of conducting
The prosecution. At the close Hon.
Jas. H. Rothrock, sole Judge on
The Bench, read the following in.
in whish he defined
clearly the rules by which the Jury