Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-09-09
MIs,cELlAaE Gus.
CALLING THE DEAD.

Everybody will remember that Matilda
Heron, the actress, while in California, some
years since, married lawyer popularity known
as "Harry Byrne," from whom she subse-
quently parted. Upon his death, a year or
two ago, Miss Heron went to San Francisco
in the hope of securing portion at least of
the handsome property he was said to have
left, in which effort. we believe, she failed
Byrne was universally admitted to be 1aau
of rich aud scholarly literary attainments and
of original and eloquent genius as an advocate.
Among the many instances Of his as prosecu.
tor, the following from frisco paper is per-
haps the most striking:
Somo time in the year IS, a gentleman
from one section of the country, being dis
pleased with the conduct, actions, or words
of another. manifested bis disapproval by de-
liberately shooting him down.
In his hour of need the influence of his
element was employed; his sectional friends
locked around; eminent counsel were en-
gagged, among whom were the names such men
as Baker, McDougal and Tingley, the leaders
of the bar. Byrne, who occupied the no.
stion of District Attorney, being at that time
very young man of rising talents, who was
winning his way to the high position he af.
forwards attained, and Elisha Cook.
The day of trial commenced, but it was
cohceded on all sides that the prisoner, with
his eminent counsel, his command of money.
and his throne of sympathizing friends, would
cheat the gallows aud mock at 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 had powerful effect wrought
upon the jury, and it was palpably to all that
there was scarcely possibility of verdict au>
taponist IN tho
Mr.. Byrne rose in the courtroom aud amid
deep silence proceeded to close for the prose-
cutlon. Pale as the white walls around him.
with long and flowing black locks, his eye
burning and glowing like blazing coal, he
tore the veil of sophistry, weaved around the
subject by his adversaries, and laid the bald
and awful facts before the jury. Now rising
to awful denunciation, he seemed 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. as he
paused. after tremendous effort, mis- eve per-
suaded him that, unless he called to his aid
some new and startling line of action tho YER
dict would be against him.
At the time an old and eccentric man was
bailiff of the court. One of his peculiarities
was to sleep through the arguments of counsel,
and naught could arouse him save the com,
trict- Attorney directing him to do some official
act; but at these we'll known sounds he would
start from itts seat with an alacrity remarka-
BILE for one Of his years
Turning to the old man, (who was enjoy
ing his usual nap) Byrne, to whom this lido
syncrasy was we'll known, pointed his finger
at the peaceful countenance, and then eulo>
gized his faithful attention TO his duties
.'l5ut, said he, she has in this case left one
duty unpreformed." Then, with voice that
thrilled through mems hearts and made the
rafters ring: "Mr. Bailiff, call VIM. Adams. !"
The old man sprang from his seat, and hur>
ryiug across the court>room to the entrance
beyond called in a weird, thick manner, the
dead mans name, aWilliam Adams. William
Adams, William 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 jurors grew white
and blue, and each man glued his eyes upon
the door as if he expected the apparition to
answer the summons
"Gentlemen," continued Byrne; "that wit
ness can never come. The one who can re.
late to you the circumstances of this tragedy
lies in his cold and silent grave. No bailiff's
voice can rouse him from his eternal sleep :;
naught save clarion blast of the Archanceps
trump can pierce the adsmantine 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 instrument
of outraged society, demand your conviction.
Genius triumphed. Justice was vindicated.
and the prisoner expiated his offence on The
scaffold.