Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1875-12-09
One of Aaron Burr's Ju-
rOrS,
The Cincinnati Commercial" says

!
this city. He came here several
weeks ago, totally blind, suffering
from a cataract of his LETT and sole
remaining eye. He was operated
on for cataract by one of our Gin
cinnati oculists, and although the
venerable man had attained the
uncommon age Of ninety years
and four months, he delicate OPP
Grafton was perfectly. success
ful, and the patient now has the
happiness OF enjoying his sight
once more.
The old gentleman is a physi
clan, by name DR.. David Cree!,
and is one of The earlier graduates
of the old University Of PennsyI-
vania, at Philadelphia. Heis the
fa:her.in.law of Judge Stafford, of
our State, and is at present a resi-
dent Of ChillicOthe.
Part Of DR.. CreelS history is a
matter of national interest, from
the fact that he was one of the
Jurors in the great trial of Aaron
Burr for conspiracy against the
United States government.
The trial of Aaron Burr, it
will be remembered, took place
in September, 1907. So far as
our venerable man knows he is
the sole man remaining of the
twelve who acquitted Aaron Burr
Of treason against the United
States. There is probably no
doubt that he is the only one
left, as he was Cne of the young
est jurors, and he is now over
ninety-years old.
""The trial lasted IL month, "
said Father Creel.
"And how did the jury stand?"
was asked.
Unanimous for acquittal," said
he-''unanimous." Burr's prin,
cipal lawyer was Luther Martin,
of Philadelphia Luther Martin
was considered the finest lawyer
of the day, but be was, unfortun,
a:ely, hopeless drunkard.
"Oh! it was a famous trial, that
was-worth lifetime to hear
Luther Martin was one of the
first lawyers of the age and put
forth his most powerful efforts in
Burr's behalf. Chief Justice
Marshall allowed Burr to speak
in bis own defence whenever be
chose, and al. l.hough, as | said,
Martin was one OF the most ac-
compliShed lawyers Of the age,
yet Burr knocked to pieces in five
minutes all that Martin could say.
Whenever he opened bis lips
there was most perfect silence in
the court, Aaron Burr was so
graceful and splendid in all be die
or said. Every word made a
most profound impression on the
iury. | shall never forget it
never-though l live to be five
hundred years old"
"Was he SO eloquent?'
"No, he was not SO eloquent at
all, in the ordinary sense of the
word. He was not a bit Aowery
in his language. 1t was just
clear, precise and simple, with no
attempt whatever at ornamental
clap-trap, but he had way of
making a point before ajury more
clearly than any man ever knew,
so clearly that they had to see it. "
What was the fascination a.
bout him, do you think?"
Il think it was his manner
There was a charm about him
that no human being could resist,
particularly a woman. II is a
fact, without a particle of exag-
geration, that when once he fixed
his fascinating eye upon woman
there was no escape for her. 1t
may sound strange, but | having
seen and known the man as |
have, must say that | doubt if
there was ever another as fasci-
mating a man on earth as Aaron
Burr. Then his intellect was farl
more powerful than was generally
supposed. His head did not
slope back from his brows like
that Of Henry Clay, as is some
times represented in his pictures,
but it was massive and full in the
forehead. His brain was mag.
nifcent;, in my opinion, equal to
j JeffeIson's."
"Was Aaron Burr 50 very
handsome?'"
"Not SO handsome in the face;
but though rather a small man,
he was the most perfectly formed
man | ever saw, and bis manner
of carrying himself was indescrib-
ably princely and.splendid."
"Did the jury which tried him
really believe him Innocent