Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1877-03-29
UNIONTOwN.

On Wednesday last one of our citizens, Mr..
Joseph Randolph, was arrested for the crime
of murder, said to have been committed in
Blackford county, Indiana, some seven years
ago. The arrest aused some excitement, but
not as much as would have been expected uu-
der the circumstances. About O'Clock P. NJ
close carriage occupied by Sheriffs Kinney
and Rice, accompanied by an officer from the
State above named, bearing a requisition
from the Governor, and warrant to
bring the body dead or alive-entered
town and was driven rapidly to the residence
of the accused. The sheriff entered the house
and found Mr.. Randolph engaged in setting
a crate, looking up he recognized the officer,
and those present say he grew very pale, his
hand trembling to such degree that what he
held in it almost fell from his grasp. He was
immediately placed under arrest, and in few
lbrief moments was carried away from family,
home, and friends, perhaps forever. There
is nothing as yet authentic concerning the
case, and in Justice to the accused and his
sorruwing family We do not wish to prejudice
the public mind by a statement Of the many
rumors which are. .afloat. s'the unfortunate
man cannot have an opportunity of refutipg
the charges in circulation against him we
should exercise the same care and forbearance
that we would use in speaking of the dead,
and TO remember that it is unjust to wrong q
man convicted of crime. AS a faithful re-
corder OF events we will at the proper time
endeavor to give our readers an authentic and
full account Cf the matter, and will use all
proper endeavors to procure the same. ga
God all mercy would be God unjust" a law
all mercy would be a law unjust; a public
opinion all mercy would prove unjust; then
while we exercise this mercy let us also hope
that as protection to the lives and property
of the citizens of the commonwealth, that if
after an impartial trial he be found guilty, he
may be required to suffer the extreme penalty
of the Jaw. While We sit by our own cheer
full firesides enjoying the companionship of
loved ones, let us remember the desOlate
home, the weeping wife and little ones, and
strive while We conc emn The crime to bring no
accusation which would prove unjust 1t has
been asserted by Randolph and others that
this life was taken in self defense, il now re
mains for him to corroborate the plea
! The case of Vancuren vs. Brokaw. Justice
OF the Peace, came up for hearing on the 26th
inst. Squire Armstrong on the bench -Voor-
hes and Holloway for plaintiff, and ]. w.
Shannon, ESQ.,, for defendant. Action brought
to recover fees due witnesses in the case of
Brown VS.. Malcolm, in which it was claimed
Thomas Brokaw an acting Justice of the
Peace, that the case was compromised before
the arrival of the witnesses summoned, that
the Justice retained his own aud Constahles
fees-sent messengers to intercept the wit
nesses, and then refused to allow their claims
1t was shown that the docket was not correct
and that the action was Illegal. The day be-
ling propitiOusly stormy there was large at
tendance. Court was held in the school
house and there amid the odor of common
schools, and surrounded by the sanctity of
prayer meetings, Law and Gospel embraced
and kissed each other. The words, 1--WE
WELCOME You HERE" were beautifully
wrought in evergreens and placed upon the
wall above the ''COurt's" chair, but whether
gotten up at the expense of the plaintiff or
defendant we were unable to learn. The eff
feet of this was completely marred by SQUIRE
HOllOways ''other hat" Through a lamp
bracket at the end of the decoration which
resembled sick chair O. S. had thrust the
crown of his anti-temperance louise cover, and
the effect cal be better imagined than de-
scribed. We turned to the other end of the
Temple expecting to behold figure of Jus
tice blind-folded with the scales in her hand,
but alas we saw nothing but great ugly
spider grabbing for an early and decrepit
''blue bottle fly. After sorting the witnesses
a demoralized sewing machine agent was
found among them, and as the most sulphur
ous "lrou-clad oath" is considered too mild
Tor one of these animals to swallow, ESQ.
Shannon had in consideration the feasibility
OF administering the Chinese saucer OATH in
which John Chnaman breaks a saucer and
expresses wish that if he tell lie his soul
may be cracked like the saucer Doubts arising
in the minds of the defense as to whether
such cattle are possessed of the above named,
agreed to have him sworn the same as white
man and take his testimony for what it was
worth-or as the Chinese have it "Alee samee
Mclean man." The case being duly opened
it was conducted with the usual amount of
of wrangling, abuse, and vituperation as is
generallyadisplayed upon such occasions. The
trial occupied the day and part of the even
Ing, closing at O'Clock p. NJ. Squire Arm.
strong reserved his decision and we are unable
to give it al present. Various opinions have
been expressed concerning this action 1t has
been characterized as maIicious-done to in
tiuenee the election, Squire Brokaw being a
Candidate for reelection, &c, &c. We can-
not speak for all, but some persons accused
have endorsed this action on principle, having
the highest regard for him as a Christian and
honest man and one desiring to fill his Office
correctly, yonr correspondent is one of these.
and although Republican used his influence
to secure his election. But the citizens IF
this township are tired of playing law-many
an unjust claim has been collected off men
who were too poor to appeal to higher
court. When our citizens are summoned to
appear before Court of Justice they endeav-
or to obey that summons. Have they no
rights which superiors are bound to respect
The action against Mr.. }. l.. Malcolm was an
illegal one, and would not have been justified
in a higher court. What was the result; to
save the cost of an appeal he was obliged to
agree to compromise. The people of this |
township have resolved to have these actions |
investigated. 1t is very unpleasant to be |
summoned to appear as defendant in Court |
of Justice, but it is no easier for a citizen /
than an officer. Experiencing the unpleasant
ness and Inconvenience don't play law any
more; it hurts. Do the citizens of this town. |
ship know what hss occurred; do tn " know /
the number of illegal Judgments to which
they have submitted-we presume not. But
this dag has gone by. One formerly resi- J
1ent of this village and who had fairly won
The title of Unjustass of the peace done more
toward sowing the seeds of discord than any
citizen of Wheeling Township, even at one
lime previous to his election holding mock
court, dragging two respectable and industri- 4
Jus ladies, by false warrant, from their beds,
md then subjecting them to the abuse and
of a mob without any legal au-
hority-a penitentiary offense No don't let
Is play law any more, but let us respect the
,ower thereof obeying in good faith the
mandates of its courts and striving to be law-t
biding citizens of the commonwealth.
Not sending in items for publication last
1eek we did not have an opportunity of re-
ordng the marriage of Miss Matte McCul.
,ugh, of this vicinity, to Mr.. Benjamin Bey, p
( Morgan county, Ohio. Miss Mccullough n,
in every way worthy of an honorable hus- 4
and, and we infer that he is in every way G
'orthy of SO good wife. The fbest wishes n
I friends attend them.
''That Robin" put in an appearance again ~
day (26th) and was interviewed. The ru- fsI
or that he wears q strip of red flannel nj
,,,,d b;a nack-and carr;es a hox of oons,b nt
ndv ,,nder one wing and bottle Of Javne's u u