Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-12-06


would benefit him in some wav, This
may have been imagination in me, but
learned on inquiries from other persons
that the two young men, Smith and Brown
were both visiting Jones's daughter
which was something of pointer, and
gave me something to study about when
got back to my office.
next consulted the alleged murderer
in Jail, whom 1 found TO be young man
with manly, open countenence, and I was
forced to the conclusion at once that he
was innocent. After conversing with him
at some length in regard to the case-the
details of which it is unnecessary to re-
peat here-I said TO him as I took his
hand in parting:
''Mr. Brown, cid you kill that mani"
"God know I did not" he firmly but
tearfully answered.
II believe you," answered him. Be of
good cheer"
had done all that could in working
up the case, but could arrive at no con-
clusion favorable to my client. AL the
information could gain pointed to his
guilt; still I was satisfied Of his limo
cense.
What line OF defense should I adopt?
The only feasible idea that orept into my
head was the Impeachment of Smith. But
how?
Rivals in courtship!
Was there anything in this circum-
stance worth working up? As I have be
fore stated, I didn't like Smiths looks at
all; but who cared if didn't? He must
be Observation-Disclosures all there was in that
end of it. 4 young mans life was at
stake-probably pair of them, for If l
failed to secure that $1,000, had about
made up my mind that Texas soil would
hidt my carcass from view soon after the
adjournment of court.
The day arrived for the trial. Court
commenced; the case was brought before
the grand jury, and a true bill found
against Brown, as every one expected;
and on the third day of the session the
case was taken up in court, the house
being crowded with anxious spectators.
The Indictment recited that: 'On the
night of the Doth of February, the de-
PENDANT, John Brown, did, by force and
arms and with malice aforethought, shoot,
kill, murder and assassinate one Reed, in
the peace of God and the state" etc. A
jury vas soon impaneled, and the ex-
animation OF witnesses commonwealth
of whom gave unim portant circumstan-
tial evidence, but ell pointing to Browns
guilt. The state was relying principally
upon Smiths testimony and he was phi
upon the stand.
He took his place with more alecrity, ]
thought, than was becoming under the
circumstances and 1 determined to jerk
some of the conceit and self Importance
out of him, at any rate, before turned
him loose.
abruptly asked:
Now, sir, where were you on tn night
in question:"
Squire JONES'"
next query.
~ answered.
"Guess its mine too," l retorted, "What
were you doing there?"
81 decline to answer" he insolently re.
turned.
l deliberately appealed to the bench
His honor who had apparently gone to
sleep-thinking suppose, that the case
was too dead against my client to require
any watchfulness on his part-opened
the eye next to the witness and stormed
out:
"Answer the question"
Thus Enthusiastically urged, Smith an
swered:
81 was paying visit to the squire'f
daughter
"Ah, you were, en-? VINO else was
there?''
"The family, of course"
No doubt. Who else?"
81 will not answer" and the witnes:
began to grow restless.
[ arose to my feet. "If your honor
please, if the defendants life is to bt
trifed with in this manner L shall make
a motion to quash the Indictment, with
out further proceedings"
This impertinent little speech had the
effect to open both the eyes and mouth
of the Judge.
off the witness hesitates to answer an
other question pcopounded by the coun-
sci, I'll have him sent to jail so quick il
will give him collie"
"Who else was there?" I asked again
"Johp Brown!'
"The defendant here?"
| OSELdLIly'
"Are you both addressing the young
| lady in question:
ST suppose So"
care you on good terms with eact
| otherf"
"Who left the house flst?"
"He did"
"How long before you left"
"About fifteen minutes"
"And you say you saw the defendant
shoot the peddler?"
81 certainly did, very promptly and
decidedly.
"What time was it?"
"About 10 o'clock"
"Are you owi-eyed, that you can sc
plainly distinguish objects in the dark?'
ooh, the moon was shining very
BRIGHT" he triumphantly answered.
"Ah! that explains IT," said taking al
almanac from my pocket. A glance al
| the "moon's phases; for that month
| which had not taken the trouble to ex
anime before, and which I did now be-
| cause I didn't know what else 70 do-re-
vealed to me the astounding fact that the
moon changed On the 28th of the month
consequently it couldn't have shone on
the 29th.
Turning to the witness I said: ST see
| here the moon changed on the 18th, and
| you must have been in another country
| to see it at 10 O'Clock ON the 29th.
Smith was as speechless as cold potato
| the judge grunted, the solicitor looked
| wild.
L didn't press the point. That was i'm
peachmen No. /; but had more for
him