Norwich bulletin., 1914-08-08
FAMOUS TRIALS
TRIAL OF JAMES STEWART.

One of the greatest political trials in the history of Scotland-political be- cause it had to do with two great clans of that country, although mur- der was the charge-was that of James Stewart of the Glen. It was the cui- imitation of a feud that had existed between the Stewards and the Camp bells for many years, and even to this day the bitterness has not subsided that was started by the murder of or not James Stewart was guilty has always remained a mystery but at any rate he was compelled to pay the penalty on the scaffold. The gibbet was erected near the present Scottish town of Ballachulish Ferry, and Stew art died on Nov. 8, 1752. Colin Camp bell had been murdered on the after noon of May 14 of the same year.
 As before noted the clans Stewart and Campbell were at enmity, all though the two clans had frequently intermarried. In fact James Stewart and the murdered man were blood rel atives. They had been friends in past days in spite of clan rivalries. Camp bell was wealthy land owner. and James was one of his tenants petrel, was also held on suspicion as being implicated in the murder.
 Or May 2 Campbell set out from Edinburgh for Fort William on busi- ness. and one week later he began the return journey with a party of three, intending to pass the night at the inn at Kintalline. near the scene of an in- tended eviction. Ballachulish Ferry had just disappeared from view to the four riders and the hills of Morven were becoming prominent when sud- denly at a point in the road at the wood of Lettemore, a shot rang out and Mungo Campbell heard Colin ex- claim, "Oh, I am deadI"
 The nephew turned to seek the as- sailant. but he had disappeared over a hill in the distance. He started in pur- suit but lost track of him. Another Of the party was quickly sent on ahead to secure assistance. while one of them guarded the body. About twelve pa.'- sons were arrested on suspicion, in- cluding Mungo Campbell and Allan Breck. James Stewart and his son, AL Ian, were taken to Fort William on the 18th of May.
 At last. on the 9th of July. aboIt seven weeks after his arrest, the mo- notony of the prisoners loneliness was broken by the receipt, for the first time. of warrant dated May IT, aI- thorizing his incarceration. There upon he secured an Edingburgh law yer. MT. Stewart of Edinglassie, to preTare his defense. The trial was fixed to take place at Inveraray, on the 21st. of September, 1752
 Many witnesses were examined. An
 
 dence that James had previously en- deaNored to arrange the murder of Campbell by deputy. but the attempt utterly failed. There was no absolute evidence that James Stewart was the murderer, nor in any way an accessory to it.
 The verdict condemned the prisoner to be taken to Ballachulish and there to be hanged. his body thereafter to be suspended by chains.
 In few manly words the prisoner protested his innocence. his readiness to die and his grief that his name should afterward be associated with a deed so foul.
 The prisoner was carried back to 1nverary prison and was afterwar1 transferred to the scene of his former confinement at Fort William. Follow ing his execution the dead body was hung in chains as directed and tine kings soldiers stood guard to prevent the Stewards taking it away for bur ial. Years passed and the skeleton still rattled on the gi1bbet In 1755 it fell and the officers of state had it re- placed. Finally, it is said, the bonas found quiet resting place in the kfrkyard of the Ardshielsin Duror of Appin.