The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1883-01-20
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Clayton Secret;
CT,
4 REMARi<A3LE TRIAL!
4 Nc.Y FcyYcsD Oh .:Ival ccccy72EEcca
JULIAN G. NOE.
ArrHo2 OF "n-sTISY," "PRAIRIE FLOWER"
"BLACkMAIL," EIC.

Iii
nd the Eversleigh family, were among tho
font row Of spectators.
The plairtiif and her daughter wcro tho
rly witnesses present.
I LAWYER Boorum, after the usual prelimi-
aies. rose to his feet and glanc, d about, to
sm,nand the attention OF his auditors, and
tkgan bis opening speech.
sYour Honor ana Gentlemen Of the jury:
I have before Ne painful duty-a duty
vtich is doubly odioCs to me because I am
a Young man-but the law must be vindi-
aied. therefore go straight to the core Of
he case. The prisoner ut the bar is well
ain years, and has enjoyed the reputation
Il an upright man. lie has moved in the
kt society, has been highly honorcd for
his apparent goodness and charity, and has
aHrscted to himself hosts of friends by his
suliure and good breeding. Has he de-
esved such esteeml No!-a thousand
times no, While the surface has been beau
tial the heart has been filled with dead
nsrs bones. Some twenty years ago. the
attendant became suitor for the hand Of
tis plaintiff, but was not fayorably re-
sdred. lie left her. swearing vengeance.
Shs saw him no more till after she was hap
pik married to our well-known aud es-
ssmel townsman, NIr. John Clayton. One
M, almost TO a day, alter, he presented
himself before the husband and exhibited a
onifca.e of previous marriage, in which
Nh. Cayton's maiden name appeared as q
contracting party. Too astounded to sup
me- deception, the stricken husband tore
h infant daughter from her mothers AIMS
"a drove her from his door. The plaintiff
eupld get no opportunity to defend herself
i Be prisoner at the bar rendered that inl-
pnsible-and. had she not been possessed of
ls.ane in her own right, she would have
tArved, for she was stranger in this coun-
b. and had but single relative, brother,
sho lost his life shortly after his sisters
tpuble. To escape further persecution.
ID dreading to make it public by having
Il prosecutor arrested, the plaintiff was
sunpelled to secrete herself under o fic.i-
fuus name, much to her regret. Gentle
N can prove, by competent witnesses.
IT the prisoner at the bar is an inhuman
Enmster-a leech-whose sole aim is re-
IWes on helpless woman, and who has
nd the misguided husband Of that wo-
IN pay him the enormous sum Of fifty
epasand dollars hush money. He has
eno3 ruined once happy and united
enily, aud deserves the full penalty Of the
lnyf and blackmailer. On the history OF
- nd case, will not dwell; my witnesses
~ ave me superhuity of words. As the
- witness, l call Mrs. Sarah Clayton"
'As. Sarah Clayton, take the standr'
an. Clayton obeyed, walking steadily to
~ vltness-box, and facing the prisoner.
The examination commenced.
Uounsel for Prosecution: ''Airs. Sarah
@y;0n; ton,! you were the wife Of the late John
Witness: Il was."
Counsel for Prosecution: "Do you know
prisoner at the barr
Witness: 'Have known him fer over
snty years"
Counsel for Prosecution: "Under what
esnmstarces did goa make his ncquaint-
hees"
Witness: "My deceased brother intro
eaced him to me at musicale"
ounsel for Prosecution: Proceed, mad
=, and tell what you know OF the pris-
Ou.n
witness: "After this introduction, Jared
Nafk paid me every attention, and finally
opposed marriage. Not wishing to en-
nge one for whom had no affection, I
once, as | thought, put an end to the
daer. Still be persisted, and it became
scsssary for me to forbid him to speak OF it
lm He swore to be revenged for what
termed On insult. and plainly told mo
my money was all he desired. After
marriage, he presented his forged certiti-
~ and took oath that l had been privately
nried to him."
Vosnsel for Prosecution Ito the prisoners 8
asel: "Do you wish to question the vit-
@onsel for Defense with q peculiar
eeE II waive the right, sir.
tne learned counsel for the defense had
aded on this course some days back.
3& Cecil Clayton was called.
ommoning her courage, the heiress took
place and was sworn.
e looked tbs prisoner fearlessly in the
q she testified.
Wensel for the Prosecution: Miss Clay
eao your father any connection with
.ness: considerable; but only through
l first knew of it from father. who
S0ned me against him after he had left
aouse one morning. Pointing him out
my father said: That man has me iu
lower, child, and cannot escape. Be
oi him! A few years after. he again
eisaed me. telling me that Clark knew
mole history of our family. and, every
e called. he would threaten to expose
~ ssS 81 ne were paid, as he was very poor.
y Villain there"
s the counsel for the defense, rising,
ossed the proceedings by requesting
roSe to remind the witness that the
OF the Court must be sustained. and
's1s protected from useless adjectives.
~. ~ sndge: "Witness will confine herself