The National tribune., 1883-03-22
DUKES ACQUITTED.
Startling sequal TO the Tragedy at Uniontown,
PennSyiYania


Nicholas L. Dukes, charged with the murder
of Captain Adam C. Mutt, at Uniontown, Pa,
was acquitted by jury on the 18th inst. This
verdict was most unexpected, the evidence
seeming overwhelmingly against the defend
ant. Even Judge Wilson, who was on the
bench, said in diseharging the jury: No doubt,
gentlemen, you have decided to the best of
your judgments, but l must say | am disap-
pointed, for the evidence led me to expect
different verdict" The circumstances sur
rounding the case are most painful, and pre-
sent Dukes in a far from favorable light. He
Is lawyer by profession, a resident of Union
town Tor the past eight years and a member
elect OF che Pennsylvania Legislature. About
a year and a half ago he made the acquaintance
OF Miss Lizzie Mutt, beautiful and charming
young lady of twenty years, the daughter of
Captain Mutt, much respected gentleman,
living just outside of Uniontown. This ac-
quaintanee, it is alleged by Dukes, gradually
led to an undue intimacy. The first informa-
ton OF this which reached the fathers ears was
a long letter from Dukes, in which, in most
cruel and heartles5 manner, he stated that for
some time past his relations with Miss Mutt
had not been of a proper character, and that
the consequences of the indiscretion were about
to become apparent. He advised Captain Mutt
to take measures to hide the family shame
The letter also contained allegations that other
yonng men in Uniontown had been similarly
favored by Miss Mutt. In answer to this epis-
tie, so awful for a parent to receive Captain
Mutt wrote that Dukes must either marry his
daughter or take the consequences. To this
Dukes replied that he would under no consid-
Grafton marry Miss Mutt and invited Captain
Mutt TO come to his Office room and discuss
the matter with him. Captain Mutt went to
Dukes room and then the latter shot him, in
self-defense, as he claimed.
The trial excited deep interest, not only in
Uniontwn and vicinity, but throughout the
State, and when the verdict of g not guilty I"
was rendered, SO bitter was the feeling against
Dukes and SO outrageous was the verdict con-
sidered, that there was talk of lynehing and
Dukes placed himself in the custody of the
sheriff for protection and afterwards retired to
his mothers residence in the county. After
the trial, the citizens of UniontoWn held an
indignation meeting, and resolutions were
adopted condemning the acquittal as reproach
TO the intelligence and deeeney of the people,
and censuring the jury in the broadcast terms
The Grand Army Post at Uniontown, of which
the late Captain Mutt was member, has passed
resolutions echoirg the public sentiment. So
strong, indeed, was the feeling that one of the
| jurymen was discharged by his employer. At
| ter the trial, Miss Mutt was interviewed by a
| correspondent There's not word of TRUTH"
She said, in Mr.. Dukes letters. What in
duced him to write them cannot imagine I'M
ie7s; ihuccdi uiS oplect Was 10 llahufactufe an
excuse for breaking our engagement. lie
thought, suppose, that father would say moth
| ing about the letters. When father showed
them TO me was almost stunned. told him
| they We're untrue, aud asked him to request
Mr.. Dukes to call at the house and confront me
with his Statements Mr.. Dukes pretended
that his personal safety would not warrant him
in coming, but in reality he knew he had told
/ falsehoods about me, and was ashamed to look
me in the face.n
motion has been made to dsbar Dukes.
His friends say that he will claim his seat in
] the Pennsylvania Legislature after the excite