The Republican journal., 1873-07-17
Calling the Dead.

Everybody will remember that Matild:
Heron, the actress, while in Caltorni.
some wears since, married a lawyer popu
Larry known as Harry Byrne," from
whom she subsequently parted. Upon hi
death. year or two ago, Miss Heron
went to San Francisco in the hope O
occurring 4 portion at least of the hand
some property he was said to have left, il
which effort, we believe, she failed
BYrne was universally admitted to be g
man of rich and scholarly literary attain.
mentS, and his original and eloquent
genius as an advocate. Among the many
Instances OF his power as a prosecutor
the following from a Frisco paper, Is
perhaps the most striking
Some time in the wear 1S-, a gentle
man from one section of the country, be.
ing displeased with the conduct, actions
"r words OF another from the other part
ol the country. manifested his disapproval
by deliberately shooting him down.
In his hour of need the influence of his
element was employed; his sectional
friends tiocked around; eminent counsel
Were engaged, among whom were the
names OF such men as Baker, McDougal,
and Tmgley, the leaders of the bar.
Bryne, who occupied the position of Dis
irici Attorney, being at that time a very
toung man. felt it his duty to call to his
assistance a man of rising talents, who
Was then winning his way to the high
position he aiterward attained-Elisha
Cook
The day of trial commenced, but it was
conceded on all sides that the prisoner.
with his eminent counsel, his command of
money, and his throng of sympathizino
friends, would cheat the gallows and
mock III Justice After the evidence was
All in, Mr.. Cook made an able and brilliant
opening for the State, but to no avail.
Then followed the counsel for defence.
They were forcible, able and eloquent.
They wrought powerful effect upon the
lnry, and it was palpable to all that there
was scarcely possibility OF verdict
antagonistic to the prisoner.
Mr.. Byrne rose in the courtroom, and
amid deep silence proceeded to close tor
The prosecution. Pale as the white walls
around him, with long and flowing black
locks his eye burning and glowing like a
hlazing coal, he tore the veil of sophistry,
WeaVcd around the subject by his adver-
saiieS, and laid the bald and awful facts
before the Jury. Now rising to awful de-
nuhciatlon, he seemed a Nemesis to the
covering criminal before him; now he
turned his voice to low persuasion, as he
sought to mould the jury to his wish. But,
AZ ne paused, after a tremendous effort,
his eye persuaded him that, unless he
called 10 his and some new and startling
me OF action, the verdict would be against
him.
AT the time an old and eccentric man
was bailitf OF the court. One of his pecu-
iiarities was to sleep through the argu-
ments Of counsel, and naught could arouse
him save the command of the court, or
the voice OF the district attorney directing
HIM to some official act; but at these well
known sounds he would start from his
~eat with an alacrity remarkable for one
Of his years
Turning to the old man, (who was en-
loyng his usual nap Byrne, to whom
Tins idiosyncrasy was well known, pointed
ms hnger at the peaceful lineaments of
has eountenance, and eulogised his faith
tnI attention to his duties. But" said
he. "he has in this case left one duty un-
performed" Then, with a voice that
thrilled through mems hearts and made
The rafters ring "Mr. Bailiff, call William
Adams" The old man sprang from his
seat, and hurrying across the courtroom
10 the entrance beyond, called, in a weird,
thick manner, the dead mans name,
William Adams, William Adams, Viii.
lam Adams. come into the court"
The criminal shivered in his seat, mems
blood flowed coldly, and the silence was
as death. Justice seemed crying to heaven
for retribution; the faces OF the iurors
grew white and blue, and each man glued
his eyes upon the door as if he expected
the apparltion to answer the summons
Gentlemen" continued Byrne. ..that
witness can never come. The one who
can relate to you the circumstances of this
tragedy lies in his cold and silent grave.
No bailiff's voice can arouse him from his
eternal sleep; naught save the clarion
blast OF the Archangel's trump car pierce
the adamantine walls OF his resting place.
He has been deafened forever by him who
now stands arraigned at this bar Base,
brutal, bloody man, upon you hangs this
awful responsibility. Your hands have
dabbled in his blood, and as the instru-
ment of outraged society, demand your
conviction"
Genius triumphed. Justice was vindi-
Gated. and the prisoner expiated his Of
fence on the scaffold.