The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-03-20
A HAIRBREADTH.


sons having further business with thiscir
cult court and court of oyer and terminer
will now draw near and give their attea-
tion SO to be heardW
The crier stepped down, and the judges
gavel fell thrice with short, sharp raps
The great trial was about to begin. From
every corner Of the spacious courtroom
anxious eyed spectators peered expectantly
toward the group of actors, each Of whom
was soon to play his part in the life drama
which began as a comedy and would prob.
ably end as n tragedy. Up in his lofty
high backed chair sat his honor, with gold
trimmed eyeglasses and generally distin-
guiShed appearance. He leaned over and
made a remark to the sheriff, who nodded
and replied. To the right stood the dis
trict attorney in conversation with his as
sociate. He was tall, dark haired man
with sharp eyes ard resolute face. Back
of this couple was the object toward which
the curious gaze Of the throng was ever
directed-the prisoner. Those were no
ordinary features which met the curious
gaze Of the onlookers so firmly, and that
was no ordinary figure who sat calmly
surveying the scene with no indication of
emotion or even passing interest, young
man scarcely in his twenties, with the
stature of an Apollo, expressive, cold gray
eyes and pale cheeks. He was in whispered
conversation with his attorney a stout
little man with gray hair, after the Viii
kins Micawber style. a ripple of excite
ment passed from mouth to mouth as the
spectators crowded each other for better
view
"What, that boy?" said one. "Why,
he's hardly out of his swaddliug clothes"
"Yes, responded his neighbor, "but he
\ may be old in crime. | don't like his face
G-it's too cold, hard" The speaker scru-
inized the countenance before him with
he eye Of a connoisseur who boasts ability
detect the faintest shadow of temptation
batting ethereally across the neither side
4 the experienced felon's heart "Too
hard" he repeated, soliloQuizing, too
shardr'
There was a lull in the babel of voices.
The jury had filed in and taken their seats.
For moment the cloudless face Of the de-
fendant turned toward the men into whose
custody the law had intrusted the balance
of his being-life, death. He studied each
face earnestly. Then came brief pause,
succeeded by the reading Of the indictment,
which proceeding was interrupted by the
confusion caused by the election of a
drunken loafer from the crowd surround
ing the doors. The reading continued and
was followed by an interval Of profound
silence, during which the prosecuting at
torney arose and began his opening ad-
dress to the jury. His statement was brief
and concise. He was not man of meta
phors.
"You will observe, gentlemen" he said
in the course of his remarks, las We pro
ceed with. this trial that the defendant is
guilty Of one Of the most heinOus and cold
blOoded crimes ever recorded in the annals
of the Jurisprudence Of this county, a
crime committed in moment Of perfect
sanity, actuated by no hope Of personal re
ward, inspired by no satisfaction Of pri-
vate ambition, but resulting rather as the
climax Of a controversy so ordinary in its
nature as to hardly cause in the heart of a
reasonable man even q tinge of acrimony,
much less revenge. Fortunately, gentle
men, there is in this case no conflict OF
evidence such as usually obscures and rem
ders more difficult a trial Of this kind.
Forgetful Of the consequences of his act,
unconscious of the network of evidence
which he was weaving about himself, but
bent only upon the qualification of his ami
mostly and the fultillment of his awful
purpose, this man proceeded to his bloody
work calmly and with that spirit of cold
ness and unconcern which indicates the
presence Of a depraved and criminal ma
ture, taking no precautions to conceal his
action or cover his footsteps. So, gentle
men, in reaching your decision you will be
hampered by no doubts, troubled by no
uncertainties.
I'VE will show you that on the Goth day
of June, 18-, one Lawrence Canell the
prisoner at the bar, registered as guest
at the Holden House, a small hostelry To-
Gated in the village of Plymouth, in this
county, having arrived on the evening
train. He was assigned a room, and the
small handbag which he carried was taken
to his apartment, according TO his direc-
tions. He then seated himself in the Office
of the hotel and called for stationery,
which was furnished him. After having
written several letters he arose from his
chair and was about to leave the room,
when a gentleman entered, and remarking
that he had just come from the station
inquired of the clerk if he could secure
lodging The clerk replied that the last
room had just been secured, whereupon
the defendant said, / will share my room
with you, II you don't object. The gen
tleman expressed his thanks, introduced
himself as James de Land, and having
lighted cigar and offered the defendant
one, the two men sat down in the rear Of
the Office directly within sight and hear.
ing of the clerk, who at that time was the
only other occupant Of the room.
"The clerk, Mr.. Banks, will tell you
that after having conyersed upon various
subjects the defendant alluded to the po
ltical situation and expressed extreme
sentiments in support Of his opinions
which led TO mild criticism on the part OF
his new acquaintance. One suggestion
followed another until heated discussion
took place. At II O'Clock the two went t
bhoh loOhlJ bNl4l ClIBdBSu III tllCl BtlAC Dol
versation. Thomas Kingsley, the porter
will relate to you that. in obedience to or
ders from the defendant he went with {
pitcher of ice water to the room occupied
by the two gentlemen, and that as he ap
preached he heard sounds Of animated ar
gument, together with exclamations o
displeasure, which continued after he en-
tered the room and so long as he wa
within hearing, showing that the two mel
were in the midst of a controversy. These
gentlemen, are matters Of fact and will b
proved.
"We will further show you by othe
witnesses that In the morning De Ian
Gid not appear, nor could he be fount
Upon being questioned the defendant pei
sisted in declaring that he knew nothin
of Dc Lands departure, doggedly denyin
all knowledge Of his whereabouts.
"The occurrence was of such an unusut
nature that 1t was reported to tAe local al
thorities, who proceeded to an investig'
ton. This investigation, gentlemen Of II
jury, resulted In the discovery of some IL
teresting facts. De Lands handbag wa
found, partially open and covered wit