Year: 1876

and was fairly on his way to the prison
Judge Foster will deliver the Q. c.aarge.


THE CHARGE AND vEHDl.T IT.


The Sun of Friday has the folio wing ac
count of the close ofthe trial: The Lspage
trial was concluded to-day, and the en.i wa
marked with even more interest in tn'
trial and desire to have the prisoBeA
hanged. A representative resident of Mer-
rimack county said: "I don't know what
hejury will do, but that man WON'T get a
mile from the court house door," The open
ing of the court room was marked by the
same scramble tor places, for the desire to
here Judge Fosters charge was intense
Nearly half the audience was composed of
women. Lapage was brought In by his
iailors as the court house bell rang. He
seemed to have properly interpreted the
menacing glances with which he had
been greeted ON all sides, and he moved
along between his jailors with the air of a
man who understood that the least swerv-
ing might be the signal for speedier ter
minatiOn of his trial. Once seated, how
ever, bis face resumed the stero-
typed expression of indifference that
had marked his demsanor. Judge
Fosters charge was q more mastery
msrshalling of the proofs against the pris-
oner than even the plea of the attor-
ney general. The testimony in alibi
was first adverted to, and those testifying
to 1t were given the full weight that conf
dence in their veracity might entitle them
TO. Still the fact that they contradicted d the
story of the prisoner himself and the eye
witnesses OF at least as many well-disposed
persons as had testified to il, he thought,
left door open for the belief that Joe Daig
nault and his men might have erred as to
the day when they saw the prisoner. The
Identification of Lapage by Mis- G2ult and
young Cate as the man whom they saw near
and approaching the scene of the murder,
the judge thought was


ENTITLED TO GREAT WEIGHT.


OF the testimony of the experts, the judge
had ahigh estimate. Science is progressive,
be said, and men who spend their lives in
Investigations OF the forces of nature are en-
titled to earnest consideration when they
declare that their researches have enabled
them to discriminate between the blood OF
men and of inferior animals. AT all events,
they established that there was blood OF
some sort upon the clothes of the prisoner,
and the fact that be had not seen tit to &C.
count for its presence there left damaging
inference TO be drawn. The testimony OF
Julienne Rousss was commented
upon at length. The admission
sion of it as evidence at all the
the judge charged, was simply in support
OF the theory of the prosecution that rare
was the primary crime that led up to the
murder, and in that view only it ought to
be considered by the jury. The charge
lasted an hour and half, and at its con-
clusion the jury retired, the counsel not
asking any special charging. The throng
in the court room increased rather than
diminished in the recess that was taken
pending the verdict. The prisoner sat the
center of many hostile glances, but ne still
exhibited his accustomed indifference. His
unofficial watchers said freely that he had
earned hanging, and they proposed to serve
out Justice to him whether the Jury con-
court house bell told the people
that the jury had agreed. In the half hour
that intervened before the court was re-
opened the rumor was confirmed that the
verdict was in accordance with their wishes,
and the throng became quiet. James Lang
maid, the father of the girl, and his wife,
seemed the most agitated persons in the as
ssmbly. He especially was deeply moved.
He held handkerchief to his eyes and con-
vulsively shuddered. He sat near the pris-
oner, and Attorney-General Clark has since
informed me that Langmaid has twice de-
clared to him that


HE WOULD KILL LAPAGE


if the Jury should acquit. "I had a son and
daughter" the father remarked to the at
torney general. "You have son and a
daughter now. If yours died as mine did,
would you let the murderer live? What
would life be worth to you? As the Jury
came in Lapsge lost mis- imperturbability.
He eyed with keenest snxiety each Juror.
That done, he relapsed into his accustomed
expression. He stood as the names of the
jurors were called. The usuaI formula
of questions were put, and the
foreman announced the verdict:
"Guilty of murder in the first de-
gree" The verdict was rendered amid ac-
cessories so affecting that many women
wept, but Lapage looked as unconcerned as
ever. The throng applauded, despite the
sherifi's saps for order. Quiet restored,
Attorney General Clark arose, and with
voice evincing great emotion moved for
sentence. The prisoner was asked why
sentence of death should not be pronounced
upon him. The question had to- be inter
preted to him. BE replied, "I have only to
say is is false, that is ALL" Judge Rand
then pronounced the sentence
" hich is that the prisoner be hanged on the
10th OF January, 1877. The New Hampshire
law gives all capital convicts year in which
to settle appeals and prepare for death. AT
ter sentence the doors were closed and the
prisoner was given ample time to be far on
his way to the jail before the throng was per-
mitted to follow. The jury took one ballot
only. After retirement they reviewed the
evidence for one hour, then took a vote
which was unanimous for conviction. Their
verdict is heartily approved by their fellow
citizens.