Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1876-02-03


FEBRUARY 8. 1876
ces, we're strong against him; but be
most ingeniously proceeded to explain
them. The power Of attorney, which
- produced, be contended had been
mRularly granted by Fisher, and he
cn1led several witnesses, who swore that
they believed the signature to be that
q the deceased. He, further, produced
Nwill, which had been drawn mp by
Ieher's sttorney, and by that will Fish.
: ae - SmiGh Nd cole eyecu-
tor, in the event Of his death. He de-
elined, he said, to throw any suspicion
on Weir, but he would appeal to the
common sense of the jury whether the
ghost story was entitled to any credit;
and, if were not, to ask them Why it
had heen invented? He alluded to the
fact-which in cross.examination Mr..
Grafton ewore to-that when the re-
mains we're first shown to him, he did
not conduct himself a. a guilty man
would have been likely to do, although
be was horror-stricken on beholding the
hideous spectacle. He concluded BY
invoking the Almighty to bear witness
that he was innocent of the diabolical
crime for which he had been arraigusd.
The Judge {the late Sir Francis Forbes)
recapitulated the evidence. 1t was no
easy matter to deal with that part of it
which had reference to the apparition;
and if the charge of the Judge had any
leaning one way or the other, it was de-
cidedly in favor of an acquittal. The
jury retired; but, after deiiberating for
seven hours, they returned to the court,
with a verdict of guilty.
The Judge then sentenced the prison.
er to be hanged on the following Mon
day. 1t was on . Thursday night that
he wss convicted. On the Sunday,
Smith expressed wish to see a Clergy
man. His wish was instantly attended
to, when he confessed that he, and he
alone, committed the murder; aud that
it was upon the very rail where Weir
swore that be bad seen Fishers ghost
sitting, that he had knocked on, Fish
er's brains with q tomahawk. The
power of attorney, he likewise confess
sed, was forgery, but declared that
the will was genuine.
This is very extraordinary, but is,
nevertheless, true in substance, if not
in every particular. Most persons who
have visited Sydney for any length Of
time will no doubt have had it narrated
to them.
An InrsH DuRL1sr.-Pat Power, Of
Daragle, was fat, robust man, much
distinguished for his intemperance, and
generally seen with glowing red face:
He on one occasion fought with fire.
eating companion named Bill Bris-
coe. When taking aim at him he said
he still had a friendship for him, and
would show it. So he only shot off his
whisker and top Of his ear.
When travelling in England, Power
had many encounters with persons who
were attracted by his brogue and clum-
sy appearance On one occasion group
of gentlemen were sitting in box at
one end of a coffee-room when he en-
tered at the other. The representative
Of Irish manners at this time on the
English stage was a tissue of ignorance,
blunders and absurdities; and when a
real Irishman appeared on the stage he
was always supposed to have the char
acteristics of his class, and to be fair
butt for ridicule. When Power took
his seat in one of the boxes the waiter
came to him with gold watch with
gen'leman's compliments, and request
to know what o'clock it was by it. Pow
er took the watch, and then directed
the waiter to let him know the person
who sent it. He pointed out one of
the group. Power rang the bell for his
servant, and directed him to bring his
pistols and follow him. He put them
under his arm, and with the watch in
his hand walked up to the box; presenting
the watch, he begged toknow to whom
it belonged. When no one was willing
to own it, he drew his silver one from
his fob, and presenting it to his servant
desired him to keep it; and putting up
the gold one, he gave his name and ad-
dress, and assured the company he
would keep it safely till called for. 1t
was never claimed.
On another occasion he ordered sup
per, and while waiting for it he read
the newspapers. After some time the
waiter laid two covered dishes on the
table; and when Power examined their
contents he found they were two dishes
of smoking potatoes. he asked the wal
ter TO whom he was indebted for such
good fare, and he pointed to two gen.
tlemen in the opposite box. Power de-
sired his servant to attend him, and di-
recting him in Irish whas to do, quietly
made his supper of the potatoes, to the
great amusement Of the Englishmen.--
| Presently his servant appeared withtwo
more covered dishes, one of which he
laid down before his master, and the
other before she persons in the box
When the covers were removed there
was found in each loaded pistol. Pow
er took up his and cooked it, telling one
Of the Others to take up the second, as
suring him "they were at very proper
distance for close shot, and if one fell
he was ready 10 give satisfaction to the
other" The parties immediately rushed
ont, without waiting for second invi.
tatiou, and with them several person.
in the adjoining box. As they were all
in too great hurry to pay their reck'
oning, Power paid it for them along
with his own.
/