The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1873-05-16
GEORGE FRANCIS TRAIN.

GEORGE ERANCIS IhA1N.
In many respects, though remark
ably eccentric, Train is still, intel
lectually considered, one of the
most extraordinary men OF his age.
AS a business man he has been en-
inently successful F.; as student HE
attachments are considered extensive,
and as q man of the world his cx-
perience has made him notorious
His religious and moral eccentricl~
ties, in connection with the recent
Woodruff and Beechcr affair, led to
his arrest and Imprisonment and
finally now TO his trial as a lunatic.
1t was, perhaps, the best mode,
offering, to get rid Of him, and the
court of justice has left no ground
unexplored calculated to support
the change. Finally, Judge and
Jury being worn out a demand is
made to hear Train himself in his
own defense against the plea Of in
sanity. We give his speech below ::
"Here the jurymen became fidge
ty, and the fifth one asked Mr.. Bell
why he did not put Mr.. Train on the
stand, and have the case closed. lie
and his fellow, jurymen hoped That
counsel for Mr.. Train would not pro.
long the inquiry. Three lawyers
looked at Justice DAILY, who held his
quill aloft, and seemed about to say,
"Please do" Mr.. Train adjusted
the flowers il his lapel, and step
ped to the stand. lie smiled upon
the jjurymen and spectators, and
then looked up at Justice DAILY
All eyes were upon the man who
was to testify concerning his own
sanity.
TRAINS STORY TOLD BY HIMSELF.
The court room was silent as the
grave for several moments, and
then Mr.. Bell arose and asked Mr..
Train when aud where he was born.
Mr.. Train replied in 1880 in Boston
"Be kind enough to tell the jury
the story of your early life, said
Mr.. Bell. Mr.. Train turned to Jus
tice DAILY and asked whether he
might tell his story in his own way.
His Honor said yes. There was the
most breathless attention for few
moments. The spectators and jury
men seemed to be entranced as they
listened. His voice rose and fell.-
He was at times very eloquent
Never did man speak so fast and
tell SO much in so little time Moth
ing was forgotten. Dates were
given for every circumstance with
out referring to memoranda. He
said that his father, mother, and
sisters died of yellow fever in
New Orleans. He was brought up
by his grandmother in the Metho-
dist faith, and was taught not to
drink, smoke, lie, swear, or cheat,
and those commandments he had
rcligiously observed to this day.
He was told by his grandmother that
if he obeyed her in those respects he
would surely become a great man,
but when he went to Washington in
after years and saw
CLAY, WEBSTER, CALHOUN,
and all the famous men of the day,
and learned that all disobeyed those
which his grand
mother laid down for his guidance,
he felt convinced that that good old
lady had swindled him. He had
the Atlantic forty times,
and was the master of twenty Ian
had been everywhere,
seen everything, endeavored 10 do
right, and was always ready to brave
the whole world, and that
was why he was on trial for insanity.
Here tremendous cheering drowned
his voice, and an indescribable scene
of confusion ensued. Justice DAILY
wrapped in vain for order. The
spectators stamped, clapped their
hands aud cheered for fully two
minutes. Mr. Train bowed repeat
eddy, his three lawyers trembled for
the fate of their client, and the jury
men seemed trans6xed to their seats.
At length his Honor made himself
heard and administered a scathing
rebuke to the spectators, concluding
by saying that the majesty
of the law must be respected, and
if the slightest demonstration was
again made he should send for a
force of police to clear the room. :
Mr.. Train apologizea to Justice Daily |
and said that he regretted having
been the innocent cause of so much !
confusion. His Honor advised him
to speak with more moderation
Then Mr.. Train resumed his story
and told of his education in gro, !
Gerry stere in Massachusetts, his con-
neotion with the shipping interests
giving dates of building OF ships, |
their burden, how long he possessed
them, and how much he sold them
for, He ratified through at an extra
ordinary rate all about his ccnnec.
ton with the house of Enoch Train
Il Co., his business association in
Australia, China, Japan, England,