The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-06-18

J llF lGtlCE " a. bEllNCl ~ Dt a lBAEElh VI
a fraud. Had not the best people in tn e
town long believed the Buorns to be
| guilty? Had not one perhaps both Of
them confessed ii? The bones Of the
murdered man, button of his coat. his
/ jack knife-had they not all been found?
Had not an upright judge made solemn
charge that the evidence was conclusive
and AN intelligent jury found them
| guilty, and the Legislature sanctioned
the findings? There was no doubt OF
their guilt-none whatever; and there
fore no benefit of doubt had been Civ
en- by the jury, Chief Justice or Court
of Appeals.
Mr.. Chadwich's letter was, neverthe-
less, taken to Stephens cell and read
aloud. The news was so overwhelming
that nature could scarcely survive the
shock. The poor fellow dropped in
fainting fit to the floor, and had to be re-
covered by dashes of cold water.
Intelligence came next day from Mr..
Whelpley, formerly a resident of Man
chester, that he himself had been 10 New
jersey and seen Russell Colvin. The
members of the jury which had convict
ed the Boorns however, hesitated to ac-
cept anything short OF the mans pres
ence, and Judge Chase, who had sentenc-
ed them, pointed to Stephen Boorn's
confession.
The third day came another letter
II have Russell CoIyin with me-" wrote
Mr.. Whelpley. Il personally know
Russell Colvin," swore John Kempton,
"he now stands before me-" 1t is the
same Russell Colvin who married Ann
Boorn, Of Manchester, w." made affi-
davit Mrs. Jones of Brooklyn. But it
would not answer. Pride of opinion is
stubborn. Doubt of opinion dies hard.
Manchester intelligence. not to say piety
was on trial, and it behooved all good
residents to hold out against conviction
to the last.
However, Colvin, or CoIvin's double,
was no his way. As he passed through
Poughkeepsie the streets were thronged
to see him. The news everywhere preced.
ed him. His story was printed in every
newspaper and told at every freside.
At Hudson cannon were fired: in Albany
he was showed to the crowd from a plat
form; and all along the road to Troy
bands of music were playing and ban
ners Haunting and cheers were given as
Colvin passed by. Some men became
famous from having been murdered.
Russell Colyin was famous because he
was alive.
Toward evening of Friday, December
p, 1919, double sleigh was driven fur
iou.ly down the main street of Manches-
ter to the tavern door. 1t contained
Whelpley, Kempton, Chadwick and the
bewildered Russell Colvir. Immediate
ly crowd Of men, women and children
gathered around, and as the sleigh m
loaded its occupants and they tool, their
places on the piazza, exhibiting the last
man to view, "That's Russell Colvin,
sure enough! There's no doubt about
itp' came from the lipa Of scores Of the
gazers. He embraced his two children,
asked after the Boorna, and started for
the jail.
The prison doors were unb0lted and
the news was told to Stephen Boorn.
"Colvin has come, Stephen" said the |
Rev. Lemuel Ha,ne
Has hep asked the prisoner.
"Where is he"
"IIere I am. Stephen" said his broth
er-In-law. What's them on your legs?'
"ShaekIes" replied Boorn.
"What for?"
because they said l murdered you." |
'4ou never hurt me in your life" re-
piled CoIvin.
The sequel is soon told. Stephen
Boorn was released from prison, as was
Jesse also. Russell Colvin returned to 4
New Jersey. But the Judge who suffer-
ed an innocent man to be convicted of |
murder by the adniissiod of extra-iudi- |
cIal conference.-the members of the .
jury who deliberated bat one hour be- |
fore agreeing upon verdict Of guilty .
upon evidence that should not hang a
dog-the deacon and church members
who urged confession and the ninety
seven members Of the Legislature. sit
ting as Court Of Appeals, who refused
re-hearing of evidence became Of
them?