The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-11-01
CIRCUMSTANTlAL EVIDENCE.

MFRS. CHILD, in her work advocating
lVl the abolition of capital punishment,
gives O notice of two cases in which cir
cumstantial evidence led to the execu-
ton of wrong parties.
A few years ago poor German came
to New York and took lodgings where
he was allowed to do his cooking in the
same room with the family. The hus-
band dad wife lived in a perpetual quar-
rel. One day the German came into the
kitchen with clasp knife and pan of
potatoes, and began to pare them for his
dinner. The quarrelsOme couple were
in more alteration than usual; but he
sat with his back toward them, and, be-
ing ignorant of their language, felt in no
danger of being involved in their dis
pute. But the woman, with a sudden
and unexpected movement, snatched
the knife from his hand and plunged it
into her husbands heart. She had suf-
ficient presence of mind to rush into the
street and scream murder. The poor
foreigner, in the meanwhile, seeing the
wounded man reel, sprang forward to
catch him in his arms, and drew out the
knife. People from the street crowded
in and found him with the dying man
in his arms, the knife in his hand and
blood upon his clothes. The wicked wo-
man swore in the most positive terms
that he had been fighting with her hus-
band and had stabbed him with knife
he always carried. The unfortunate
German knew too little English to un-
derstand her accusation or to tell his
own story. He was dragged off to
prison, and the true state of the case was
made known through an interpreter;
but it was not believed. Circumstantial
evidence was exceedingly strong against
the accused and the real criminal swore
unhesitatingly that she saw him COM
NIT the murder. He was executed, not
withstanding the most persevering ef-
forts of his lawyer, John Anthon, whose
conviction of the mans innocence was
so painfully strong that from that day
he has refused to have any connection
with capital case. Some years after
this tragic event the woman died, and
on her death.bed confessed her agency
in the diabolical transaction; but her
poor victim could receive no benefit
from the tardy repentance society had
wantonly thrown away its power to
atone for the grievous wrong.
Many readers will doubtless recollect
the tragical fate of Burton, in Missouri,
on which a novel was founded, that still
continues in the libraries. A young
lady, belonging to a genteel and very
proud family in Missouri, was beloved
by young man named Burton, but un-
fortunately her affections were fixed on
another less worthy. He left her with a
tarnished reputation. She was by ma
ture energetic and high-spirited her
family were proud and she lived in the
midst of society which considered re-
venge virtue, and named it honor.
Misled by this false popular sentiment
and her own excited feelings, she resolv-
ed to repay her lovers treachery by
death. But she kept her secret so well
that no one suspected her purpose,
though she purchased pistols and prac-
ticed with them daily. Mr.. Burton gave
evidence of his strong attachment by re
newing his attentions when the world
looked coldly upon her. His generous
kindness won her bleeding heart, but
the softening influence of love did moi
lead her to forego the dreadful purpose
she had formed She watched for 8
favorable opportunity and shot her be
trayer when no one was near to witnes:
: the horrible deed. Some little inciden
excited the suspicion of Burton, and h'
induced her to confess to him the Who'll,
transaction. 1t was obvious enough
} that suspicion would naturally faster