The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1888-02-02
THE FOUR P's.
Peyton, Penn Township, Politics and
Prosecutor Worley.

Our readers have generally been aware
that an interesting arson case was tried
in the Common Pleas Court last week.
The party charged with the crime was
Andrew Peyton, an aged colored man
living in Penn township. The dwelling
house was burned down on the night of
March 9TH, 1885, and belonged to q. A.
and @. G. Clouser, two maiden ladies Of
that township. Peyton was indicted at
the October (lSs6) term Of Court.
The trial attracted good deal Of at
tention for several reasons. The arson
was supposed to have been malicious
act on the part OF some one. Suspicion
fell upon Peyton, but we do not
undertake to say whether justly or un.
justly. Peyton. however, bore a good
reputation in his neighporhood, as is
evidenced by the testimony brought for.
ward in his defense. 4 4 large number Of
witnesses had been subpoenaed and tes.
tilted at the trial. The jury, after being
out eighteen hours. failed to agree, and
we're discharged by the Court. Peyton
was defended by Judge Thompson and
Pavey & Bowles. Where other attor.
neys are engaged in the prosecution it is
usual to say they assisted the Prosecut.
ing Attorney. Messrs. Sloane and Hog.
sett were employed by. the Misses Clou-
ser to help in the prosecution, but we
are unable to say in this instance that
they "assisted" the Prosecuting Attor-
ney. They were Prosecutor and assist
ants both. This brings us to one of the
most peculiar features of this trial. AS
Judge Thompson said in his magnificent
speech to the jury" the Prosecutor
during the whole trial has been as dumb
as an OYSTER" He did not examine or
cross.examine single witness, and made
no argument to the jury. He appar-
emily had no more to do with the prose.
cution than to draw up the Indictment
He didn't open his mouth during the
whole trial, unless probably at meal
times. We can fairly infer from this
silence that he had no faith in the gull,
of Peyton. If that was the case then he
ought to have nollied the indictment
and not put the county to such an ex
pense, especially when another trial viii
likely take place involving additiona
cost. If he thought Peyton guilty ther
he ought to have shown it by an activ.
participation in the trial, as an ambitioul
lawyer would have done, besides per
forming his whole duty. Judge Thomp
son in his speech also said it was report
ed that Peyton had, although Repub
lican, voted for Worley last fall. We d.
not pretend to charge that Worley's 81
lence during the trial was the fulfillmen
of any agreement with Peyton. Their
is this singular fact, however, to be take,
into account: Worley ran twenty-five
votes ahead of his ticket in. Penn town
ship-that is, taking the Governors vot
as basis, Powell receiving 12l votes an,
Worley IA votes.
1t is not a peculiar thing that Worle
should run ahead of his ticket in an
township, but it looks singular that h
should have done so last November il
Penn township to such an extent.
Our columns are open to Mr.. Worle
to any explanation he may have to max
in regard to the generally. expressed sui
prise at his silence during the trial an
under the surroundings referred to.