Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-12-19

satisfactory explanation of his cousins
disappearance, he was arrested. The
preliminary examination lasted for nine
days, aud produced great excitement,
but resulted in his being rcmanded to
Jail to take his trial at the next term ol
court for the crime of murder.
The estherwaxes then became
alarmed. Few OF them doubted his
guilt; indeed nothing seemed more Ger
taiu; but they were not willing that the
name should be disgraccd by one OF
them dying at the hands OF the hangman.
so they contributed funds, employed able
counsel, and made the best defense pos
sible, Mr.. McMasters, then and now,
we believe. a leading lawyer Of that
county, was engaged 10 defend him.
Mr.. McMasters examined the case, and
though he had no doubt of his guilt, he,
like true lawyer. did bis best for him.
Not daring to take his trial on the merits
OF the case, he succeeded in establishing
the non jurisdiction Of the court, and
locating the crime in Canada. The Grim
inal, Tor such everybody now believed
him 10 be, was therefore set at liberty.
when he was threatened with violence il
he did not leave the country. lie rc-
fused. saying that he was innocent and
would not stir unit! he was vinjicated.
While movemon; was being organ
lied TO put the threats into execution, an
officer arrived from Canada with a roqui
sitiou. and he was taken across the line
for trial.
The trial was among the most remark
able ever held in Canada. The A6lesi
counsel both OF Canada aud Now York
were engaged FOR the prisoner, and by
postponing The uiil Tor nearly year,
spiri;ing away some of ibo mos, impor-
lant witnesses of the prosecution, and
other ingenious but questionable devices,
they succeeded in producing disagree
ment in one jnry, aud finally brought
about an acquii;al. after eighteen months
Of imprisonment.
The community felt greatly outraged
by the result, and the press tcemed with
donunciations OF those who thus cot
spired to cheat justice. lis own counsel,
wishing to repair as much as possible the
wrong theJ supposed they had done So
ci ty by reScuing a criminal from a Just
fate. advised him TO dee the country, and
under another name strive by better
lite to repay society tor its tolerance in
suffering him TO live.
All such advice.the wretched man un
heeded and returned to his old home,
declaring his purpose to remain there
until the cloud was lifted from his former
good name. But though saved from the
gallows, he did no, escape punishment.
The brand of Cain was upon him. Er-
cry body believed him guilty, his Old
friends and neighbors avoided him. he
was pointed out as murderer, and his
supposed crime was even hooted in his
ears many times as he passed through
the crowds in the public streets.
Thus the unhappy man passed eleven
years of his life, submitting quietly and
meekly TO the sspersions cas-. upon him,
and waiting patiently for his viudcalion.
His loss OF character had brought with it
loss of property; business men summed
him, the better avenues OF trade and Ell
terprise were closed against him, aud he
became reduced almost to beggary. Bu.
amid all these misfoItunes be was still
hopeful.
Thus matters stood till the early part
OF October, 1867. when a man clothed in
the garb OF sailor made his appearance
in the village OF Rlattsburg, and inquired
for Captain John Wealherwax. Tae
latter was Just entering the post office,
where considerable crowd had collected
waiting the distribution OF the mail, and
he was pointed out to the irquiIing
stranger. lie made his way toward him,
laid his hand lamiliarly upon his shoul-
der. and exclaimed:
"How are you, John p
John looked at him a moment in be-
wilderment, gave suppressed scream,
and replied;
Great Heavens Has it come at
last ?"
Tuning TO the crowd in the post Office,
which had by this time become interest
ed, he said;
"Gentlemen, my yiudlcstion has at last
come. For eleven years 1 have borne
your reproaches in silence, hoping and
praying for this hour. This is my cousin
Andrew. for whose murder have suffered
punishment many times worse than
death"
The men stared at each other and at
the sailor. slupeied with wonder. Az
drew was equally Perplexed, for the
actions OF both parties were to him in
comprehensive.
For short time there was disposition
10 regard the new conner as an imposter
who had been brought forward to relieve
Captain Weatherwax OF the disgrace tha,
had attached to him; but his identity was
soon established beyond question, and
the interest in the case deepened, thou