The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-12-05

and consent OF the doctor Bckford went to
the Glass Co.'S Office and had the stock trans
ferred to himself. Soon after this the Glass
Co. works were burned.--Thls caused in
auiry as to who had lost by the fire Mrs.
Stout, the doctors wife, then for the first time
discovered that the doctor had disposed OF it,.
She then set up the claim of ownership and
insisted that the doctor had disposed of it 10
fraud of her rights. Then the doctor ap.
preached Biskiord and requested to be let
on, of the trade Bickford agreed to do So,
hut insisted, aud it was agreed, that for the
time being the stock should remain under
Bickiord's control according to the original
understanding. Soon thereafter the panic
came. Mrs. Stout becoming apprehensive of
loss. pressed the doctor for her stock, and the
doctor brought corresponding pressure upon
Bickiord The day the banks were closed by
the panic the doctor made formal demand
upon Bickford for the stock BicktOrd being
unable to raise money at the time offered To
and did secure the doctor. 1t was admitted
at that time shat the stock was worth but
81, 600 then. Bickford placed in the hands of
Henry Mayo, Esq, states attorney, over S.
600 OF good and sufficient securities, and SO
acknowledged to be at that time by the doc
tor, to insure the doctor in the return OF his,
or his wite's stock; and to convince all par
ties Of his entire coed faith gave Mayo writ
ten authority to sell and convert the securi-
ties into cash and pay the doctor, If he, Bck-
ford, did not return the Glass stock within "A
time therein specified. The doctor expressed
himself as more than satisfied, but within one
week thereafter he approached Bicktord and
demanded change in the written authority
placed in Mayos hands. Bicktord refused
to make the change on the ground that the
proposed change would be a disqualification
which no man OF spirit could submit TO- The
doctor therefore ordered back the securities
into Bicktord's hands and went before the
grand jury and an indictment was found
which was quashed by the court. The doc
tor again went before the grand jury and OBJ
tanned another indictment, and upon the last
indictment this trial was had. Mr.. Bickford
opened the door inside and allowed the pro
secution to bring in everything they could
against him, whether it had any pertinency
to the case or not, and while upon the witness
stand he definitely stated that he could at any
time return the stock but would not since the
doctor had seen fit TO institute Il criminal
prosecution against him, until he had an OPP
portunity, by public trial, to place before the
public the truth of the whole matter
\ large audience was in attendance during
the entire trial, manifesting an intense in.
terest in all its details Friday evening, after
able arguments on both sides, the jury retr.
ed and after short absence returned with a
verdict of not gritty. The verdict of the jury
meets the appreciation of all unprecedented
minds. Mr.. Bckiord is thoroughly vindlcat.
ed Your correspondent has been told by
several of the jurors who sat upon the case,
that they have grave doubts as TO there being
a dozen business men in the city Of Ottawa
who could pass through the ordeal that Bick
Gov hD. f.. .1nu -
record.
We learn through Mr. Blanchard, his
counsel, that Bicktord, having vindicated
himself before the people, has placed in his
hands the noted certificate of stock to be de
livered over to its owner, as soon as that
question is determined between the doctor
and his wife