Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-02-08
Romantic Ending of a Murder Trial.


Auburn, N. Y, for the murder of Philip
S. Proudfit, the seducer of his sister, in
| Sterling, was concluded on the 25th, as
already reported in our kilograms, by
| his acquittal. From the Auburn NeaOS
account of the affair we CLEAN some in
teresting particulars. The jury went
out about 4:30 O'clock, and about 1880
o'clock returned into court with their
verdict of not guilty. Instantly upon
this ejaculation by the foreman there
arose cheer from the audience in
which the long-pent-up anxiety found
vent-an uproar of popular enthusiasm
which not twenty times the force of
bailiffs in attendance could quell. And
| this, too, despite the positive orders of
the Judge scarcely moment previous,
that no demonstration should be al
lowed under pain of arrest for the of
Tense against the dignity of the court
Hats were tossed up, hands were
grasped, cheers given that made the
walls vibrate, and no power could check
the sudden outbreak of human sympa-
thy. An order to arrest the noisy ones
was truly answered by an officer that it
would be necessary to include the en-
tire audience.
Hoppin and his plucky little wife
(she is such now) fell into each other S
in an embrace which spoke to them
more than whole volumes could other
wise express, and were quickly sur
rounded by their excited friends, each
insisting upon hand-shake or Il hug
and many, in the exuberance of their
| JOY, kissed him with heartiness which
smacked'' ofearnest sympathy. Con-
gratulations were feelingly bestowed
| by the Judge and District-Attorney;
and the successful counsel for the de-
fense came in for deserved ovation of
thanks and hand-grasps, which indi-
Gated how fully his services had been
appreciated by the sympathizing mass
of spectators, including scores of ladies,
of whom there were more present at
this time than at any previous occasion
of the kind in the history of the county.
1t had been arranged by previous
agreement that after the verdict be
it good or i'll, Miss Turner should be-
stow her hand upon the man by whom
she had stood through good or evil fort
une. In accordance with the arrange
ments the party proceeded to DIR.
Georges, including the happy pair, the
twelve jurymen, and officers of the
court, Sheriff officers, and as many of
the relatives and friends of the bride
and groom as could find room in the
house. The ceremony was performed
by Rev. T. j. Allen. In his address to
the couple he said: "I am confident /
express the sentiments of all your many
friends and the voice of the whole peo-
pie when | say that 1 rejoice in your ac-
quittal as a triumph of love, truth and
justice--a justice written in the human
heart which cannot be expressed in the
language of human law. While / appre-
ciate the position of honor and respon-
sibility sustained by His Honor, the
Judge, your attorney and counsel, and
the jury now present to witness this hap
py scene, prize the privilege ofplight-
ing your love to one another before God
and society, and pronouneing you hus-
band and wife, as second TO none of
these. To pronounce you, sir, a happy
husband, is as great an honor as to pro-
nounce you acquitted by the court and
allowed TO enjoy life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness, the birthright of
every American citizen rF
Atthe conclusion ofthe ceremony there
was good dold-fashioned wedding scene,
in which the company pressed to the front
and saluted the newly-made "man and
wife," kissing the fair bride who had so
pluckily faced the troubles which beset
her lover, and, true-woman like, had
borne them till they were dispelled. 1t
was worth the experience, as HOppins
confessed, to prove the truth of the
loyalty of the girl he had won.