Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1922-03-08
FAMOUS TRIALS
muNeo CAMPBELL

A trial that created a great amount
of attention in Scotland was that of
Mungo Campbell, for the reason that
the prisoner was a member of q no.
BILE family of Argyle, Scotland. having
been born at Ayr, in 1921. His father
was merchant of eminence, but an
uncle took care of Mungo and gave
him liberal education. His inclina-
ton was for military life in which
line many of his ancestors had most
gloriously distinguished Themselves.
Mungo served with distinction N
| two campaigns with the royal regi-
ment Of Scotch Greys, and in 1745 he
! fought with Lord Loudon, a relative,
who commanded the Royal Highland
ers. Not long after the decisive bat
tie of Culloden, Lord Louden procured
| the appointment for his kinsman as
officer of the excise. In the discharge
of this new duty Mr.. Campbell behaV-
ed with strict integrity to the crown
tyet with so much ciyility as to concil-
! late the affections of all those with
whom he had any transactions.
Campbell was so exceptional in his
whole conduct that all the nobility and
| gentry, the Earl of Eglington except
| ed gave him permission to kill on their
estates. However, he was very moder-
ate in the use of this indulgence. He
/ had a, singular attachment to fishing,
and a river in Lord Eglington's es
tate, afforded the finest fish in the
country, and he would willing have
angled there, but his lordship was as
strict with his fish as with his game.
/ One of the duties of Campbell was
to search for smugglers in the sec
ton where he presided, and to do this
he was compelled to cross the estate
of the Earl of Eglington. Upon one
occasion he shot a hare which had
surprised him by springing across his
! path The Earl was very angry, and
it was with difficulty that Campbell
was able to appease his wrath. Later
he again got in trouble with the Earl
through arresting one Of his servants
caught smuggling whisky, and finally,
while out trying to catch SmuggIers,
which he heard were lurking in the
nefghborhood on Oct. "a, 1853, this
same servant informed the Earl that
| Campbell was trespassing on his
grounds and armed.
Eglington went out to meet him with
attendants and he demanded of him
his gun. / his Campbell refused to de
liver. whereupon the Earl dismounted
and approached Campbell in threat
/ ening manner. Campbell backed away
from him, and in so doing his heel
struck against a stone and he fell. His
gun was accidentally discharged and
Eglington was shot.
contest now ensued during which
a servant of>the Earl repeatedly struck
Campbell Lord Eglington's seat was
about three miles from the place where
the fatal accident happened; and his
servants placed him in a carriage t.
convey him home. In the mean time
Campben's hands were tied behind hin
and he was conducted to the town Of
Sa1tcotes the place of his former sta
ton as exciseman.
! Lord Eglington died after languish
: ing for 10 hours, and Mr.. Campbell
, was committed the following day t.
the prison of Ayr, and the following
month removed to Edinburgh in prep
aration for his trial before the Figl
Court of Judiciary; previous to which
his case was discussed by counsel anC
I the following argument was adduceC
' | in his favor: THAT the gun went of
by accident, and supposing it had beer
fired with the intention to kill, it wa.
. justifiable because of the violent prov
ocation he had receiVd."
The prosecution urged in answer
''That malice was implied for the rea
son that Campbell in presenting hi
gun to his Lordship, said to him tina
l unless he kept off he would shoot him
and that the Earl hao the right t,
: seize his gun in virtue of several act
of Parliament.
After repeated debates between tn
: lawyers of Scotland, a day was a
: length appointed for the trial, whicl
. commenced on the 9th of February
ITO, before the High Court of Judi
ciary; and the jury having found Mi
Campbell guilty, he was sentenced t
:. death.
i The Lord Justice Clerk. before h
Z pronounced the solemn sentence ad
Vised the prisoner to make the mos
devout preparations, as all hopes 0
y pardon would be precluded from tn
C nature of the offense. Through tn
e whole course of the trial the prisoner
behavior was remarkable for calmnes
and serenity. and when it was ende
IS he bowed to the court with the utmos
e cemposure, but said not a single wor
= in extenuation of his crime. He wa
q found dead in his cell on the mornin
Of Feb, 20, 1910, hanging to the end q
q form which he had set upright, hay
= ing fastened silk handkerchie