The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1875-05-07

Of course, was entirely circumstantial,
but I felt assured that Roberts was the
guilty man, and was going on without
the slightest hesitation or doubt in the
necessary preparation for the part / was
to take in the trial. There had been an
attempt TO indict him only for man
slaughter, but the provocation was so
slight in comparison with the crime, and
the easy remedy of removal from. the an
noyance so obviously in his power, that
these considerations, taken in connection
with the supposed fact of his having garis.
en- from his bed after an hour or more
of reflection, and having deliberately
proceeded to his neighbor's room to com
NIT the deed, upon On unguarded and
unsuspecting man, rendered doubly de-
fenseless by his probable state of inebri-
alton, determined the grand jury to pre-.
sent bill that, in accusing him of muir.
der, met the entire approval of the pub
lie. I confess that the whole matter was
so absolutely certain to my mind, that
the trial assumed the light of a necessary
formality only, and seemed hardly need
ed as justification for the penalties OF
the law.
'But upon the very eve of the trial a
circumstance occurred which, so far as ]
was concerned, altered the whole aspect
of affairs. I was sitting alone in my pri-
vate room, making my last preparations
for the morrow's trial, when a person
was announced as desiring to see me on
urgent professional business. Though
much annoyed at the interruption, gave
orders that he should be admitted, and
looking up moment later 1 saw stand
ing just within the circle of light shed
by my lamp, tall, pallid, man, whose
eyes full of the fires of suppressed ex-
citement, were fixed upon my face. 1
was little startled-he had come in so
silently-but Irecoverd myself and bade
him be seated. AS he sat down added
that was very busy, and begged him to
make his communication as short as pos
sible.
"'You were preparing for the Roberts
case, said my visitor, after few pre-
liminaries. 1 assented and he went on
to say:
"It is about that very matter have
come. And if you can first assure me
that my communication shall be held
as privileged by our mutual relation of
counsel and client, shall perhaps be
able to throw some light upon this mys-
terious subject
thinking that he had sought me, as
to add some testimony which
would fix the guilt more strongly upon
1 assented. But Judge of my
utter bewilderment-when
he proceeded to assure me that he was
not only aware of the complete inno-
cence of Roberts, but that he himself
had been present during the alteration
between Roberts and Hamilton, which
preceded the death of the latter by not
more than an hour. In fact he was con-
,ealed in Hamilton's room, his purpose
being to regain from him large sum
which he had that evening lost to him at
play.
"'As my story has already occupied
more time than 1 intended, l will, in
few words, state all that this man told
me. He had spent the evening at
establishment with Hamilton,
to whom he was well known, and the
latter had won from him large sum
lll that he possessed in the world, with
which he intended to sail on the morrow
for Europe. Both left the saloon to-
gether, but separated on reaching the
street. My visitor, however, turned after
a little, impelled by some motive for
which he could not account, and followed
Hamilton. He did not then think of
or robbing him, but almost
maddened by his losses, cared little
whittier he went.
Hamilton entered bar-room andl
drank freely, and his victim waited out
side, ,reaecting bitterly that he no longer
had the means to purchase dram or
nights lodging. While standing there
he determined to accost Hamilton, and
coax or compel him to return some of
the money. But when he saw him come
out intoxicated, he thought by offering
him his service to assist him home he
could better accomplish his purpose.
Hamilton was very glad to see him, and
oblivious of all that had passed between
them, invited him to go home and spend
the night with him. Here was the OPP
portunity he desired. He could doubt
less get the money while Hamilton slept,
and contriyed to convince him that he
lost it on his way home, at any rate, ,evade
until the sailing of the steamer.
1t was an insane project, but the devil
is very fond, apparently, of arranging
for those who desire to
commit crimes.
OHa went in with Hrn,ilton an5 mo-,