The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-11-23
HOW HE Was CLEARED.
A Wrong Almanac saved nardsrsr's
Meek from the GAilows.

The career Of Abraham Lincoln Ss a
criminal lawyer, farnishes mole Than
one instance which might with great
propiesy be introduced into this col
lection Of the clFioAities Of criminal
iurisprudence. For many years he was
leading counsel Ii almost every noted
criminal case in the State Of illinois,
and his eloquence in pleading, his
keeness in retort, and searching eI-
animation Of the witnesses, were
famous throughout the West long be-
fore either he or his friends began 10
dream Of tho presidency as among the
possibilities Of his future. ~
Que Of his most decided tritmphs
was won in the casd of William d.
Armstrong, who was tried at Boards
town, CasS county, Illinois, in s1s5s,
charged with the Crime oil murder.
In Lineoln's early days, when he was
q poor, homeless, almost friendless
boy, he formed the acquaintance Of o
family named Armstrong, consisting Of
John, his wife Hannah, and babe
few months old, TO whom Lincoln, by
permission, gave the name Of William
D., in honor 81 one Of HE bessrldfed
friends, Who had died o few months
before,
The Armstrong; were hospitable and
kind, almost filling the place OF parents
to their guest, and he in turn grew
vsry fond Of the child, which he rock
ed, carried, petted and fondled, day
after day, for weeks and months, while
he was waiting for employment,
Atlength a new life opened TO young
Lincoln, aud he gradually driited away
from this port Of generous welcome
into the wide, basy world, and for q
time his old friends were lost sight Of.
but never forgotten. sis.sI 7Ia7sl
He studied law became famous as
an advocate and politician, and these
humble but warm and tried friends
watched with pleasure and pride every
step Of hii progress up the ladder Of
fame. The babe he had so fondly cared
for grew to manhood, and although o
brave, generous youth, the crude
pioneer civilization under which he
grew up unfortunately developed 4
love for the e1citements Of the cup,
and a taste for the rougher sports PEI
culiar tothe somewhat primitive society
in which he was trained. sl'ir al 90
In the summer Of 1857 there was q
Methodist camp'meetng in Madison
county, attended by not q, few Of the
riotous element, and every night some
Outrage was committed, which filled
the decent portion OF the community
with indignation. a patrol was organ.
lied for the preservation OF order,
which was one night attacked by the
rioters, and q leading citizen; named
Mitzgar brutally murdered. 81 b,bt
John D. Norris and William D. Arm.
strong were indicted for the crime.
Separate trials were, demanded, and
Norris was iifst on the docket. He was
speedily convicted and sentenced 10 q
long term in the State penitentiary.
The feeling against Armstrong was
very bitter, and his counsel was per,
suaded TO takea change OF venue tc
Gass county, and the trial came on Of
Beardstown in 1858. nIer1 ilsiaI
Hannah Armstrong, the, mother oil
tho accused, was in great distress,
Her husband, Jack Armstrong, had
been dead iorsome years. She was OPP
pressed by poverty, deserted by friends,
and now shameful death or linger'
ing imprisonment threatened her son.
In this emergency she bethought her,
self OF the poor youth to whom she had
once given home, and who had &c
often played with the boy who now
stood in such imminent peril. .,,.t iI
For many years Mr.. Lincoln had
been known as most successful lawyer.
and Mrs. Armstrong became possessed
Of the idea that II he would but under
take her sons case, he would be saved.
She therefore wroteto him Of Spring
field, begging his assistance. Though
pressed by clients on every side, Mr..
Lincoln Immediately responded that
the memories OF past kindnesses we're
yet green, and their obligations sacred,
and Providence permitting he would
undertake the defense of her son, II be
didn't try another case that season.
Upon examination he found the case
q most desperate one. A jury had al
ready passed upon an alleged accom-
plice, and rendered o verdict Of guilty.
The same evidence would have 10 be
confronted In the coming trial, and
only by mirucle could similar result
be avoided. The only hope was TO blot
out the record OF the previous trial, re-
fute the seuEes Of Witnesses, and cause
the Jury to forget both their duty and
their oaths. 4s al 80 .tIGl4 o.
At length the day Of trial arrived,
and the prosecution brought forward
their array OF witnesses. As one after
another came upon the stand and gave
their evidence, they were subjected TO
rigid cross. examination, but without
any very satisfactory results. The ties.
timony seemed conclusive, and every
word fell like the dreaded knell Of
death. Isl tIHAt 44l. .I--
When the prosecution had finished
their case, it appeared that only one
witness had directly connected the nc.
cused with the crime. He swore that
he saw the affray, that Norris pounded
the deceased with q club from behind,
while Armstrong assaulted him in front
with slung.shot, and the doctors ties.
titled that the wounds inflicted by either
would have produced death. He ex.
planned that he was enabled TO see so
distinctly, owing to the Light OF the
moon, which was nearly OF It's full, and
at the time Of the occurrence, eleven
o'clock, standing in the heavens about
where the sun would be at ten o'clock
In the morning. .....
It occurred TO Mr.. Lincoln to test the