Connecticut western news., 1878-05-16
THEGREAT TRIAL!
The Prisoner Brought to the Bar
CROWDS IN AT
 TENDANCE!
The Excitement Intense
BRIBES OFFERED FOR
 GOOD SEATS!
From our Special Reporter. ]
PITTsFIELD, Mass. May IA. l8'

ElTTsF1ELD, Mass, May IA, 1878.
 Recent history of the good county of Berkshire, does not record many murders, but those that blot the annals of late years are peculiarly shocking and brutal. Not so long ago Mrs. Jones and her daughter, of Otis. were strolling one Sunday after | noon in lot near their home. They were overtaken by a negro named Callender, who outraged the woman, then murdered her, and also beat the brains from the l child who was witness of his crime. De- l lection and conviction speedily followed, and the fiend was executed at the jail, then ID Leaox.
 Last year tramp, Charles Woods by name, called at the home of MT. and Mrs. Hazard, also in Otis, and on being refused entertainment for the night, or for some other reason never made clear, he assault- ed the old couple. The man fled from the house for assistance, and when he returned his wife lay dead upon the floor, having been struck on the head by an axe. The murderer was still In the house, was appre- hended. and is now serving life sentence in the State prison at Char!estowu.
 Three or four years ago young man at North Adams, jealous of his wife, who was frivolous and ford of the company of other young men, stabbed her to the heart, and she fell dead at his feet. He, too, is serv- ing a life sentence Tn the State prison. The murder of MT. and Mrs. David Still man is thereforesthe fourth Berkshire trag- edy, of comparatively recent occurrence, and the story of this crime has been al ready so fully told that it need not be re- hearsed. John Ten Eyck, the alleged per petrator, is now on trial. The excitement IS intense crowds occupied the court Ehouse yard, the doorways and halls, and the stairs leading to the court room an houl
 before the time for the trial to begin, and
 some were on hand before daylight to be
 sure of place among the three hundred
 that the court room will accommodate Officers in attendance at the doors prevent
 ed too great rush, and it is said almos
 any price was offered for good seats within F view of the prisoner and within hearing o the witnesses. Chars for the Press wer, , reserved in the Bar, for which thanks art , due to the ever courteous and oblging sher i, if of the County, Graham A. Root, Esq. OPENING PROCEEDINGS.
 : The prisoner was brought lu about bal
 past eight by Officers Wm. Root and l. Scott, and was given seat in the docl
 prepared for such occasions. and which ii | tSh io2 cu
 alluded to. During his trlal, Ten Evck ha
 been, Tn demeanOr, one of tae most re markab!e prisoners ever seen in court ] Since his imprisonment he has freely talk ed with visitors. and invariably expressed confidence in his acquittal During hi
 arraignment a few weeks ago he was th coolest man in the court room, smilingly listening to the solemn reading of the 1T dictments. To-day the jaunty, lndifferen
 air is all gone. His eyes are restless an
 troubled, and there is perpetual gather ing of the eyebrows in worried form, in
 dicating anything but light heartednes
 and peace of mlnd.
 The crier's proclamation opened court a precisely n1re o'clock. Judges Ames an
 Colt were on the Bench, and prayer wa
 
 General Train, who prosecutes capita
 cases, and District Attorney Leonard, wh
 assists, were early in their places. Coun
 sel for defense, N. w. Shores of Lee. and c. Joyner of Barr1ngton, were little lat, and MT. Joyner came in with eyes coYere } with his hand, and 1t was evident at ono tbat there would be an effort made for , postpoaement on account of MT. Joyner
 af1ction. Tue multitude was not long , kept in suspense. As soon as the Cour
 was ready for business, MT. Shores present
 ed
 AMoTIoN FOR DISAPPOINTMENT, on the grounds, 1st, that MT, Joyner wa unable to proceed with the case owing an affection of his eyes. and 2d, becaus traces of evidence had been fonnd. taa
 tended to fix the crime on other persons
 winch clues the counsel had not had tim
 to investigate. He preseu teda certitcat from Dr. Collins of Great Harrington ] stating that he had carefully examine . Mir. Joyner's eyes, and was of the opinio '. that if he did not give them rest for som Il months he might lose bis eyesQht entire - ly. A certificate from Dr. Wilcox of Lee c stated that the optic nerves were weaken ,; ed by over use, and that it would be UT
 safe for MT. Jeyner to use them at presen
 WHAT Jol@'ER SAID.
 MT. Joyner. in his own behalf. said h. | had had trouble with his eyes for years but managed by careful use of them, { r. att end to his business. About two we6} ! ago they failed so that he coul t not even yet read or write could not bea e the light ot day on them without thic n shades. and that he suffered from pain t a such an extent that he could not fix h
 mind upon anything. He had notified ti Attorney General of his condition ten ay ago, aud that he should ask for pos '' pouement He was not able to go ou wit d the case Excitement would be dange f ous to him, and be could not afford to ris D the loss of his eyesight AS to
 s THE NEW EVIDENCE,
 y It was, of course, only hearsav, but he al 1t tached so much importance to it that |. thought an investigation of it might lea n to the indictment of other parties for th crime. He would not dlvulge tue clue
 as that would hinder. investigation ' them, but te thought they were such as in justice to the prisoner, should be fO lowed out.
 l. THE ATTo RNEY GENERAL CBJRoTs. |. Attorney General Train objected to sue l postponement of the case as the counse . seemed to desire. He thought the month that had elapsed since the murder was con - mitted had gwen the counsel ample oppor Q tunity to prepare defense, and he coul u not consent to a postponement of the cas until the September Term as evldentl wished for by the prisoner. If MT. Joyne