Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1877-02-07
THE VALUE or AN OATH.
ny JUDGE CLARK.

was one Of shocking atrocity, the mur-
der of his own child The popular YER
dict had already condemned him, and
there was little doubt but that of the
jury would go the same way.
Arthur Berkley, the prisoner, had
married Edith Granger, wealthy
heiress whose father had died, leaving
her his whole fortune, to the exclusion
of profiigate son whom he had dis
inherited and driven from his home.
Mrs. Berkley died within year af-
ter marriage, leaving an infant few
weeks old, u feeble little creature, re-
quiring constant and assiduous care.
Indeed DIR. Baldwin almost took up
his quarters in the house, often passing
tho night there, that he might be at
hand in case Of need.
One of these nights, the doctor, as
he afterwards stated in his evidence,
after retiring to bed, feeling solicititous
about his little charge, got up and stole
softly TO the nursery to see that every
thing was right.
lie found the door aiar and dim
light burning within. shc advanced
he distictly saw Arthur Berkeley stand
ing by the table, holding to the cbild's
mouth the bottle from which il was
accustomed to receive its food. AT
the sound of the doctors footsteps, he
quickly put down the bottle, and stealth.
lily left the apartment by a side en-
trance.
Not little surprised at these move
ments, the doctor approached and laid
his hand upon the child's face, which
he found in violent convulsions, which
were followed in few moments, by
the stiffness Of death.
A post mOrtem examination, and an
alysis OF the contents OF the stomach,
placed it beyond doubt that prussic
acid had been administered. And an
examination of the bottle, found where
Berkeley had left it, proved that the
milk in il contained large quantity
of the same deadly poison.
On this evidence Berkeley was ar
rested and indicted Tor murder; and
there was not a dissenting voice as to
his guilt An incentive to the crime
was found in the fact that, as heir to
his child, he would inherit the fortune
which had descended to the latter
through the death of its mother. No
wonder a deed so monstrous, actuated
by motives so mercenary, should ex.
cite the deepest indignation.
Berkley's previous character had
been good. Ho had always appeared
gentle and kind had been o devoted
husband; and, during the brief period
Of its lie, had shown the tenderest at.
tachmcnt to his child.
In my conference with bin, he seem
ed overwhelmed with grief, but siren
uously denied all imputations of guilt,
asserting that be bad not gone to the
nursery after retiring that night, till
called by the alarm of the child's
death.
OF course, his statements, in the face
Of proofs so damaging, weighed but
httie' nag no confluence 10 tne'i
myself Still, il was my professional
uuty 10 sec Una. u man On 'rin' ivr n,f
ne VINO had entrusted mo win M
cause, had every right the law accord
ed him. This duty performed, my
conscience "ouiu DO ciear Whatever
'he result =,
IL wouiu De 'euious 70 uweil on inc
steps pfeceuing tne trlal, 1 in'erpos
ca no obstacles IN us coming on speed
ny; ny ann was no. 70 tnwar. ths
onus o' JUSTICE Out 'osee IL larry me'eo
our,
DIR. Baldwin was the first and CHIEF
witness: lie told his story clearly and
methodicaiiy +; and II was easy to see
~ carried conviction TO the jury MY
rig'd cross-examination only served 70
bring out bis evidence with more dis
tnctness OF detail. elected the fact,
for instance, that the chllds nurse lay
in the same room that she was asleep
when the doctor entered, and that 1t
was 10 her he hrst announced the
childs death. 1 also examined fuliy
as TO the prisoners acts at tho time
the alarm was gwen, endeavorlng TO
show that he came from the direction
OF his own chamber appearing to have
Just been aroused iron sleep. But |
made nothing OF this, the witness stat.
ing that his agitation had distracted
his attention iron these points.
The doctor had only recently settled
among us, but his conduct had been so
exemplary that he had made many
friends. lie had especially won tho
confidence OF the prisoner. l interro-
gated him as TO his past career, but
brought out nothing TO his discrcdit
The evidence of the chemist who
made analysis was next put in, and
the States attorney "rested.'
~ have brought the nurse here he
said "but as she was asleep when the
prisoner entered, her evidence is unim.
portant. | thought 1t my duty to have
her here, however, to afford the other
side the opportunity to call her il they
desire"
Nothing could render the prisoners
case more hopeless than II was already,
while something might come out 10
his advantage.
al will call tho witness" said.
She was n middle-aged woman, OF
not unprepossessing appearance. Her
agitation was visible; and | noticed
that, in taking the oath, she laid her
hand beside the book ana not upon IT,.
81 ask that the witness be sworn
with her hand on the book" said,
calling attention to the omission.
The Judge so ordered and the wit
ness hand shook violently as she re-
luctantlv obeved the direction and the