The Story of a Dark Plot; Or, Tyranny on the FrontierA.L.O.C.
History
The Story of a Dark Plot; Or, Tyranny on the Frontier
A.L.O.C.
Smith, William W.; Temperance
Lewis L. Jenne, a clerk for the Canadian Pacific Railway at Sutton,
testified that he knew the prisoners, and was distantly connected with
one of them, M. L. Jenne, of Abercorn. He had been in the employ of
the Canadian Pacific Railway for seven years. On the morning of July
8th, at about two o'clock, he was awakened by James H. Smith and
another man, who told him what had happened. Witness had taken it as
his work to watch Wilson's hotel, but saw no light or stir about the
house. If any light had been there he must have seen it, as he had on
many nights before and since.
During cross-examination he said that he had watched the hotel on the
night in question, from a little after two o'clock until morning. A
swift horse could go from Sutton Junction to Sutton in ten or fifteen
minutes. Witness had not tried to enter Wilson's house, but had
watched outside. He had heard that the Wilsons threatened Smith, and
was quite sure he had heard it said that they were mixed up with this
affair.
Walter Kelly, being then recalled, said that he had seen Wilson on
Saturday night, July 7th, between seven and eight o'clock, near
Curley's hotel, going towards the post office. He also stated that
once he had driven Wilson's team on the road where James Smith claimed
to have met him with it.
This completed the evidence in the case.
Mr. Racicot, counsel for defence, then addressed the jury, quoting all
the points of law which might seem to have a bearing in favor of the
prisoners, and making an eloquent plea which lasted one hour and
twenty minutes.
Hon. G. B. Baker, Q. C, quoted the law on the other side, proving
quite clearly that the prisoners were deserving of punishment. He laid
great importance on the facts that Kelly's evidence had not been
contradicted, and that, while Henry Wilson had told of getting up at
half-past one, and lighting a lamp which he said had been left burning
in the kitchen until morning, the witness Jenne had stated that he
watched the house without seeing any light, as he must surely have
done had there been one to see.
Judge Lynch followed with a very earnest address which lasted about
forty-five minutes. He summed up the evidence in the case, and quoted
the laws bearing on it, reminding the jurors of their great
responsibility, and endeavoring to impress upon their minds the
importance of a righteous judgment. His speech was not at all in favor
of the accused.
The jury then retired, and forty-five minutes later, when the judge
demanded their verdict, the sheriff reported that they did not agree,
and there was no possibility of their doing so that night. This was
announced to the waiting crowd, who had thronged the court room to
hear the decision. Court then adjourned, and the jury were locked up
for another night.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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