The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-05-16

tue region, lot houSuon nau always
borne the reputation of an honest and
peaceable citizen. Captain Blanchard
himself had always entertained high
opinion OF Hodgdon, but as the miss
ing saddle vas found carefully secreted
behind chimney in the lat!er's house,
a legal investigation seemed to be i'm
peratively demanded. Soon after the
theft had been committed, Mr.. e..
came forward and was very active in
hunting up the perpetrator. Now e:
did not sustain a good character, and
he was known to have provoked diff
fcully with Hodgdon about a line
fence. At length the immoderate zeal
OF this suspicious detective went so far
that he publicly insinusted that per-
haps Hodgdon knew something about
the matter and it would be well to
search his house The accusation
shocked the neighborhood, but in the
face CT the charge the citizens could do
no lees than 20 examine Hodsdon's
premises
The owner met the searching party
at his door, and with frank and man
" courtenanct that bespoke anything
bu, guilt, invited them 10 search his
house. They went carefully through
the building, but the missing property
was not lound. Finally G. entered &
anal unoccupied room, and squeezing
himsei with difficulty into small
opening suddenly exclaimed, Here it
is and in moment he emerged
from the room begrimmed With dirt,
aud holding the lost saddle in his hand
Il tue Winnipcsaukee river and its pic
;uresqus lalls in toe village near by
had, without q seGoRls warning, diSap
peared forever, tie surprise 10 tnc oon-
munity could not have been much
greater than /: WIS over the revelation
Just made. Fer moment odsdon
seemed 10 he struck dumb. How
quickly must have rushed through
lis EinG the thought that the reputa-
ton % lifetime might nov be wrested
rom him; that, with the comparatively
conclusive evidence Of guIIt just reveals
ed there seemed Loihing to stay trial
conviction, ani imprisonment, and
that for long weary Years his pleasant
home and family might become 20 him
only dream OF the past Then he
covered his face with his hands, or he
could lot reprtss hs tears, and his
/, family gathered abou, him and wept.
lie could offer no explanation OF the
saddle mygtery, but, with broken
words, he asserted bis innnp2rce. ia
the face OF his apparent proof, the
neighbors Of HoiIdon, who were pres
ent were very generally unwilling TO
believe him guilty, Snd generously ten
dered him their sympathy Snd assist
ance. At length the trial before Judge
Webster cane of.
There was an immense attendance OF
people rom al directions, who filled
the old hostlsiy 20 OVERLOOKING aud
gathered in groups outside. Even then
it was evident that at least nlne.;snIhs
OF the spectators believed IIodgdon to
be innocent. T&e first witness was
Blanchard. Who could state hut little,
excepting tie Tact that be had lost the
saddle. Then C. took the .l2uf and
under the searching cross examination
of Mr.. Webster, his testimony was g
miserable web az Inconsistencies. In
several instances he fatty contradicted
bimSeli and frequently tripped." Be-
!cl. the examination was half through
the counsel Tor the defence was conf
dent that "he hai got him" The !act
was also brought cut that Eodgdon had
good saddle OF his own and rs he
kept but one horse the conclusion
would be that there WAS no necessity, or
iuducemeut al least, for him 10 commit
the theft. Suddenly there is cons
motion near tie door and many voices
cry Give way ior neighbor." lmme.
diate!y an old citizen comes in, and
going directly to the magistrate, asks
that he may be put upon the stand.
He bad just returned from short
Journey, and knew nothing OF the trial
till he reached the village Perhaps
he could give some important tesii-
mony. Tie nev conner ives q citizen
Of established integrity.
What will he say p was whispered
around the room.
The case had already, through the
ability Of Webster, taken q favorable
turn ior the accused. AS the new wits
ness went on 10 the stand the excite
mcut wss intense. He stated that on
Sunday preceding the theft. while be
WAS searching in some voode in hia
pasture for his horse, lie say c. with q
saddle on his tack going toward the
house of the accused. Hes the man
distinctly, and had no doubt as to what
his burd en- was, although lie might not
be able to recognize the particular sad
die hit should be shown to him. This
vas his brief testimony, but il WAS very
important. Then the crowd whi:ps ed
tina; {. vas the thi,t, GHd fer the fret
| time the eountenauGe OF the SccIsed
gave signs OF courage. The testimony
having all been put in, the magistrate
( heard the council on both sides and
| then gave the defendant a triumphant
2cGuutal Upon It's announcement Inc
assembly broke forth il cheers and 9th
er demonstrations OF approval, and a:
the court dissolved so many crowded
ground Hodgion to congratulate him
that il was some minutes before ht
could pick his way out OF the hall. Suct
! is brief history OF the fam GUS saddle
case" which is even now remembered
by quite a number OF aged persons. II
recalling it to Mr.. Ne'mith the gres
| lawyer remarked that he thought n
made O tolerable feir argument, an
tina. in all his practice he had meyer
been better satisfied with any resui
than he was in the acq Initial OF dodg
doa.-Byston Journal.