National Republican., 1873-11-20
TRIAL OF A BIeuwAyMAN.

J. r. Alisten Before a Rockville Court for
the Rsbbery OF fr. X. p. Cress In April
Last--The Decision Reserved.
The trial Of J. +. Allston, charged with com
hitting highway robbery on Mr.. Z. p. Cross,
came on yesterday at Rockville, Nd. 1t will b,
remembered BY the readers Of the REruBLioAS
that on Saturday afternoon, the 18Th OF April
last, Mr.. Cross was returning TO his home IL
Prince Georges county, Nd, and when on the
new cut road beyond Rock.crcek church, and
while passing bushy undergrovth,a white man,
in broad daylight, stepped out from the wood
side, seized the horse by the bride, presented
pistol, and pointing the same at Mr. Cross de-
nnanjed his watch or his life. The gentleman
was considerably astonished AZ such bold pro
ccedlng and taken abaok for the momentbut the
ghwayman brought him to sense OF the sltus-
| tion by repeating the demand, this time In more
| forcible terms than before.
toned 10 at the swivel, and turned Y over. The
| robber then demanded the chain. Mt. q. replied
that he had only asked for the watch, to which
any how, which he did. After getting possession
OF the two he told Mr.. Cross that he would re
turn both to him for t25 In money, for he mus
,Sa Gai OF sqa ssa snS n, IN Sey abort ms sn
fearing II he made the fact known that the mod.
crn Dick Turpin would levy upon It and give
hack nothing, said that he had only some little
change, which was produced from vest pocket.
The man contented himself with appropriating
the sum, and inqulring OF Mr.. G. his name and
residence, placed It on piece OF paper. saying
would send the ticket back to him; then repeat
Ing the statement that he must not tarry In the
| neighbothood he left, and permitted Mr.. Q. TO
proceed on his way homeward.
In July following Allston was arrested, charged
with having committed the crime, which having
| taken place outside the District limits, and 10
was turned over to tie authorizes Of that county
| for trial. which was given him yesterday, Judges
| Lynch and Bowie being on the bench; Spencer
Jones me state ,nl Ne hs's,s
fence, being retained by the Young Mems Chris
tian Association OF this city, which, for some
est in the case, and spared neither trouble nor
expense to secure the acqulttal OF the accused,
notwithstanding the evidence was strong and
In fact, in was remarked by the States attor.
ney that there seemed to have been q collusion
between the witnesses TO patch up their testi-
mony so as to strengthen II as much IS possible
and prove an alibi, which was the plea Of the
defence, but the memory Of the witnesses being
so uncommonly fresh as TO the Whereabouts OF
the prisoner on the 10Th Of April, the day the
0Brienis circus, which WAS then exhibiting 10
this city, and the falslty OF recollection regard
ing the arrival OF the show here, or the GRIM
ths svaenee Ssns msae ins s tsc,
parent, and q certainty OF his guilt seemed to
have found Its way into every mans mind In the
courtroom. Under the Maryland law prisoner
IL allowed to make his election as to whether he
will be tried by Jury Of his countrymen or leave
the case to the judgment and decision Of the
judges.
AIston chose the latter course, evidently feel
Ing satisfied that his cause would receive Justice
from their hands. The trial occupied about
three hours, and after hearing the evidence and
arguments M ~ The prisoner vas ,em.nded to me
until to-day. This action upon the part Of the
court Is considered By those persons In Rockville
able and capable Of Judging IS equivalent 70 .
convictlon-they arguing that II an acquittal
was TO be given II would have been granted i'm
mediately on the case reaching the judges. Ais
ton Is well known TO the authorities here, and
his picture new helps to ornament the rogues'
gallery At police headquarters. He was con-
yicted OF crime few years ago and sentenced
to . term Of years In the penitentisry, but,
through the influence Of some pious friends, Q
pardon was secured and his release obtained.
II committed to the Maryland State prison-and
no doubt ls entertained but that he will belt ID
thought that pleadngs OF his devotion to Chris
tianity and the Young Men's Christian Associa.
ton will have little or no effect In aiding to se.
cure his relase.