Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-11-02
ONE OF AARON BURR'S JURORS.

The Cincinnati Commercial says:
A venerable gentleman, with history
Of peculiar interest is at. present So
journing temporarily at the Good Ssma-
ritau Hospital, in this city. lie came
here several weeks ago, totally blind,
suffering from a cataract of his left and
sole remaining eye He was operated
on for cataract by one of our Cincinnati
oculists, and although the venerable man
has attained the uncommon age Of nine
ty years and four months the delicate
operation was perfectly successful, and
the patient now has the happiness of en-
joying his sight once more.
The old gentlemen is physician, by
name DR.. David Creel, and is one OF
the earlier graduates OF the old. Univers-
ity of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia
He is the fsther-in law OF Judge Stafford,
OF our State, and is at present q resident
of Chillicothe.
Part of Dr.. Creel's 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 re.
membered, took place in September
1907. SO far as our venerable friend
knows he is the sole mano remaining Of
the twelve meE who acquitted Aaron
Burr of treason against the United
States There is probably no doubt that
he is the only one lett, as he was one OF
the youngest of the jurors, and he is now
over ninety years old
"The trial lasted month, said Father
Creel.
"Aud how did the jury stand?" was
asked
Unanimous for acquttal," said he
unanimous. Burrs principal lawyer
was Luther Martin, of Philadelphia.
Luther Martin was considered the finest
lawyer of the day, but he was unfortun.
ately, hopeless drunkard.
"0hl it was famous trial, that was
worth a 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 his own defense
whenever he chose, and although, as
said, Martin was one of the most accom-
plished lawyers of the age, yet Burr
knocked to pieces in five minutes all
that Martin could say Whenever he
opened his lips there was most perfect
silence in the Court, Aaron Burr was SC
graceful and splendid in all that he did
or said. Every word made most pro.
found impression on the jury. | shall
never forget it--never-though | live TO
be five hundred years old"
"Was he so eloquent2
"No; he was not eloquent at all, in the
ordinary sense Of the word. de was not
a bit aowery in his language. He was
lust clear, precise and simple, with nc
attempt whatever ct ornamental clap
trap, but he had way Of putting point
| before jury more clearly than any man
[ ever knew-so clearly that they had to
see it.
"What was the fascination about him
| do you think2'
II think it was his manner There
was charm about that that no human
being could resist, particularly a woman
1t is fact without particle of exagger
alton, that when once be fixed his fasci.
eating eye upon woman there was no
escape for her. 1t may sound strange
but /, having seen and known the mar
as have, must say that dodbt If there
was ever another as fascinating a man or
earth as Aaron Burr Then his intellect
was far more powerful than is generally
supposed His head did not slope back
from his brows like that Of Henry Clay
as is sometimes represented in his pic
lures, but it was massive and full In the
forehead. His brain was magnificent, il
my opinion, equal to Jeiierson's."
"Was Aaron Burr so very handsomeY
"Not so handsome in the face; bu
though rather small man, he was th'
. most perfectly formed man | ever saw
and his manner Of carrying himself was
indescribaby princely and splendid. y
: did the jury which tried him really
: believe him innocentY
Not one of us thought he had any
: direct designs against the government o
the United States. His ambition and hi
0 plans we're magnificent, but they wer'
d not to be directed against this country
Z at least not then. AS nearly as We could
conscientiously get at the truth, We
judged that his plan was about this
First, the conquest Of Mexi co and tn,
4 establishment Of government which
= would probably have DeeR mild form
of monarchy, with Aaron Burr for king
s Then atterward perhaps few Of thu
n Southern United States would have beer
q attached, but he never had an idea o
trying to break up the United States gov
ernment itself After conquering Mexic
u and perhaps annexing few Of on
Il Southern States, his plan was to 90 OF
"a South and add to his kingdom from tn
Il South American States. There was no
y the shadow OF doubt on our mind
q either that General Wilkinson, who CON
manded the United States troops in tn