The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-06-23
EARNED HIS FEE.
How a Shrewd New York Lawyer
Won Murder Case.
From the New orleans Times-Democrat

It was a number of years ago that
boy was placed on trial at Springfield,
Ill. charged with the murder of a COM
panion. He was but Lad, probably IS
wears of age, and seemingly of good
bringing-up. He told his story in a
straightforwaTd manner
He claimed to have come from Ohios
where he had left home to avoid some
threatened punishment for trivial Of
tense. Upon reaching the vicinity of
Springfield, Ill, he had entered corn
field for the purpose Of obtaining some
roasting ears, upon which he intended
he was discovered by the son of the
owner of the field upon which he was
trespassing. A hot quarrel ensued. and the
lads adjourned to the railroad track near
by for the purpose of settling the dis
pute In the fight which ensued the
stranger, seeing that he was being
worsted, seized an iron coupling pin lying
near and dealt the other terrific blow
The victim fell dead ON the spot and his
assailanJ terrified at what he had done.
fastened away Two days later the Grim e
was traced TO its author, and he was
placed under arrest. The grand Jury at
its next sitting returned an Indictment
against him for the murder of the farm
ers boy, and his trial was set for an early
hearing.
The case got into the papers and at
tracted some attention because of the de-
fendant's tender years. The trial began
and the lad was apparently too penniless
and friendless to secure much of de-
tense. The farmer whose boy had been
murdered was wealthy and determined
that his sons slayer should suffer the
full penalty of the law. The prosecu-
ton, of which Gen. Palmer was one of
the lawyers, pushed the case vigorously.
81 I'D n hoo a 10,
Prosecution and defense had finished, and
there remained nothing to be done ex-
cept the charging of the jury by the
Judge and the rendering of their verdict
The defense had been miserabiy weak and
the prosecution exceedingly strong. The
enormity of the crime had been fully en-
larged upon, and the boy was represented
TO be of a most villainous nature. 1t
was plain to all that it would go hard
with him. The last lawyer had closed
his speech, and the case was about to 90
to the jury
During the trial the figure of an old
man was seen seated within the bar He
had been in constant attendance but his
presence had attracted no remark He
was plainly clad and appeared to be a
farmer of the better class, who had come
up to town to attend court. He carried
an old gray tile and wore homespun
trousers, and hickory shirt with a white
tentive listener to the entire proceedings,
but had spoken to scarcely anyone and
was little observed. 1t was therefore.
with some surprise that he was seen at
ibis point to arise and address the court.
"Y our honor" he said, 1--WE been
listening to this here case, and if no one
has any objection I'd just like to say a
few words"
Again taking his seat the old man
awaited the judges answer Everybody
looked surprised and an amused smile
went round. The judge asked the gentle
men of the prosecution If they had any
objection to the strangers addressing the
jury Thinking to have some fun out of
the old man, they readily assented.
Il fear you are almost too late" said
the Judge. Il was about to give the case
to the Jury, but since the prosecution has
assented, you may address the jury if you
so desire"
The old man arose and advanced to the
table before the twelve men who were to
decide the boys fatee Placing his hat
upon it, he began:
Gentlemen" he said I'm only a coun-
try justice of the peace. l never had any
schooling to mention l don't know
much about the law. And before l begin
want to ask you to overlook my gram
mar, because I'm liable to make a sight
Of mistakes "
With these words he launched forth
into his speech He said he had come on
from Ohio He told how he lived in a
little country town, the home of this lad,
the defendant, who was on trial for his
life. He described him as an innocent
babe but few short years ago, growing
in his mothers arms. He traced his
growth, telling many affecting incidents
in the boys life. He told of his school
days, and of his success in his studies
He told how he had grown up, in the lit
tie Ohio village loved and resi- ected b.
all. And then he turned to the lads
home There was his poor old mother
who loved and worshipped him above any
earthly object. He described how she
had come to him when the news of her
boys arrest had reached her; how she
wept, in her bitter sorrow. wringing her
hands in despair, and begging him to go
to her poor boys aid.
And then he turned from this picture
of mothers sorrow, and described her
poverty and condition. A poor widow,
with this son as her only support, aside
from mere pittance of pension. Her
dead husband, once brave soldier, Civ
ing his life on the field of battle in his
nations behalf. And then he drew
picture of his noble death. How he had
been among the foremost in the awful
struggle at Gettysburg How he had
borne the flag in triumph over the breast
works, his life blood dripping from
uOzen cruel wounds. AS the old JUS
tice, with homely eloquence, pic
tured the details of this scene
the entire jury wept. The lawyers
sat in mute establishment carried
away with the fervor of his appeal
And when, in closing, he turned
from this scene of carnage, and went back
to the peaceful and desolate cottage of
the widow and pictured the broken
heartened despair into which this threat
ened loss of her darling boy had thrown
her, no eye in that courtroom was free
from tears. Even the gentlemen of the
prosecution turned from the jury and sur
reptitiously wiped the moisture from
their eyes. The old man sat down and the
jury retired In five minutes they re-
turned, bringing in a verdict Of acquietal.
The old man was the center of a crowd of
excited and congratulating lawyers. In
Wiling them all 10 dine with him at the
hotel that evening, he left the courtroom.
AT the stated time the company gath
cred IN the parlors of the old St Nicholas
Hotel at Springfield. 1t was some mo-
ments before their host appeared. But
presently he came down. He was arrayed
IN full dress suit Clearly shaven and
elegantly attired, his appearance. caused
general establishment Bestowing
ami ~. ., a..