Montgomery County sentinel., 1877-09-28

| DOuy as tOat OF man ne nau seen en-
ployed on Weatherwax's boat lie further
testified to having heard quarrel on
that night, ending with scuffle and
blow, after which all was silent The.
alteration, he thought, proceeded from
Wcatherwax's boat, and he distinctly
heard Weatherwax's voice in the quarrel
OF course suspicion was at once di-
rected to Wcatherwax, and as he could
give no satisfactory explanation Of Iris
Cousins disappearance, he was arrested.
The preliminary examination lasted nine
days, and produced great excitement.
but resulted in his being remanded to jail
to take his trial at the next term Of court
for the crime of iaurdor.
The Weathcrwaxes then became alarm
ed. Few of them doubled his guilt in
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 possi-
ble Mr. McMasters then and now, we
believe, leading lawyer of that county
was engaged to defend him. Mr. Me-
Masters 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-iurisdiction of the court, and
locating the crime in Canada. The
criminal, for such everybody now be-
lioved 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 vim
dicated.
While movement was being organ
lied to put the threats into execution. an
officer arrived from Canada with requi-
sition, and he was taken across the line
for trial
The trial was among the most re-
markable ever held in Canada The
ablest counsel both of New York and
Canada were engaged for the prisoner,
and by postponing the trial for nearly
year, spiriting away some of the most
important witnesses of the prosecution,
aud sothor ingenious but questionable de-
vices, they succeeded in producing
disagreement in one jury, and finally
brought about an acquittal, after eight
cen months of imprisonment.
The community felt greatly outraged
by the result, and the press teemed with
denunciatious Of those who had thus
conspired to cheat justice. His own
counsel, wishing to repair as much as
possible the wrong they supposed they
had dore society by rescuing Il criminal
from just fate, advised him to fee the
country, and under another name strive
by better life to repay society for It's
tolerance in suffering him to live
All such advice the wretched man I'M
needed and returned to his old home,
declaring his purpose TO remain there un-
Ill the cloud was lifted from his former
good name. Bnt though saved from
the gallows he did not escape punish
ment The brand Of Cain was upon him.
Every body beloved 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
meckly to the aspersions cast upon him,
and waiting patiently for his vindication.
His loss Of character had brought loss
of property with it; business men
Stunned him, the better avenues Of trade
and enterprise were closed against him,
and he became reduced almost to beg
gary But amid all these misfortunes
he was still hopeful.
Thus matters stood until the carly
part Of October, 1867, when a man
clothed in the garb Of sailor made his
appearance in Che village of Plattsburg
and inquired for Captain John Weather.
wax The latter was just then entering
the post-office, where considerable
crowd bad collected waiting the distri-
button Of the mail, and was pointed out
to the inquirng stranger. lie made his
way toward him, laid his hand familiar
y on his shoulder aud exclaimed How
are you, John 2,
John looked at him momont in be-
wildermeut, gave suppressed scream
and replied:
Great Heavens has it come at
last p
Turning to the crowd in the post
Office, which had by this time become
interested, he said
"Gentlemen, my vindication has ut
last come For eleven years ! have
borne your reproaches in silence hoping
and praying for this hour This is my
cousin Andrew, for whose murder ! have
suffered a punishment many times worth
than death"
The men stared at each other and at
the sailor, stupe6cd with wonder. An
drew was equally perplezed, for the
actions Of both parties were 10 him in
comprehensive.
For short time there was disposi-
ton TO regard the newcomer as an im-
postor, who had been brought forward to
relieve Captain Weatherwax Of the dis
grace that had attached 10 him but his /
identity was soon established beyond
question, and interest in the case deep
ened, thousands coming from all parts
Of the State to see the man who had ap-
parephy risen from the dead.
The account which Andrew gave Of
himself was that be left the boat on thst
cventful evening, after the quarrel wan
I....-.. 80. q n.au. nLnr. a nLnnA li.lu nlnn