The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-11-08

II deed nothing seemed more certain;
but they were not willing that the name
should be disgraced by one of them dy-
ing 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, leading lawyer of that
county, was engaged to defend him.
Mr.. McMasters examined the case, and
though he had no doubt of his guilt,
ne, like true lawyer, did his best for
him. Not daring to take his trial on the
merits of the case, he succeeded in es-
tablishing the non-jurisdiction of the
court, and locating the crime in Canada.
The criminal, for such everybody now
believed him to be, was therefore set at
liberty, when he was threatened with
violence If he did not leave the country.
He refused, saying that he was innocent
and would not stir until he was vindi-
Gated.
While movement was being organ
lied to put the threats into execution, an
officer arrived from Canada with reauisi-
tion, and he was taken across the line
| for trial.
The trial was among the most remark
able ever held in Canada. The ablest
were engaged for the prisoner, and by
postponiDg the trial for nearly a wear.
sririting away some of the most import
ant witnesses of the prosecution, and
other ingenious but questionable de-
| vices, they succeeded in producing a
disagreement in one jury, and finally
brought about an acqnittal, after eight.
| cen months Of imprisonment.
The community felt greatly outraged
by the result, and the press teemei with
| denunciations of those who thus con-
| spired to cheat justice. His own coun.
sci, wishing to repair as much as possi-
BILE the wrong they supposed they had
doHe society by rescuinga criminal from
just fate, advised him to flee the coun-
try, and under another name strive by q
be ter life to repay society for its toler-
ance in suffering him to live.
AL such advice the wretched man un-
needed and returned to his old home,
declaring his purpose to remain there
until the cloud was lifted from his for
NOR good name. But though saved from
the gallows, he did not escape punish
ment. The brand of Gain was upon
him. Everybody believed him guilty,
his old friends and neighbors avoided
hlm, he was pointed out as muir ierer,
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 aspersions cast upon him,
and waiting patiently for his yindica-
tion. His loss Of character had brought
with it loss OF property; business men
summed him, the better avenues of
trade and enterprise were closed against
him, and he became reduced almost to
beggary. But amid all these misfor-
tunes he was still hopeful.
Thus matters stood till the early part
OF October, 1857, when man clothed in
tho garb of sailor made his appearance
in the village of Pla.tsburg, and in
quired for Captain John Weatherwax.
The latter was just then entering the
post-office, where a considerable crowd
had collected waiting the distribution
of the mail, and was pointed out to the |
inquiring stranger. He made his way
toward him, laid his hand familiarIy
upon his shoulder, and exclaimed
How are you, Johna"
John looked at him q moment in be. |
wilderment, gave suppressed scream.
and replied:
0IeRt heaven mas It come at |
last 2"
Turning to the crowd in the post. |
Office, which had bythis time become in
terested, he said:
Gentlemen, my vindioation has at
last come. For eleven years I have
borne your reproaches in silence. hon.
my cousin Andrew, for whose murder I
have suffered punishment many times
worse than death"
The men stared at each other and at
the sailor, stupefied with wonder. An
drew was equally perplexed, for the ac-
tions OF both parties were to him incom-
prehensible.
For short time there Was disposi-
ton to regard the new conner as an i'm
postor who had been brought forward to
relieve Captain Weatherwax of the dis
grace that.had attached to him but his
identity was soon established beyond
question, and the interest in the case
aeepened, thousands coming from all
parts OF the State to aee the man who
had apparently risen from the dead.
The account which Andrew gave of
himself was that he left the boat on that
eventful evening, after the quarrel, wan
dered into o rum shop short distance
from the landing, became engaged in a
fight and was arrestcd. In the morning
he was brought before magistrate and
fined, but having no money. and being
still angry with his cousin, he would
not go to him for aid, and was on the
point Of being taken to jail, when
stranger in the audience came forward
and offered to pay his fne II he would