Tuesday, August 2, 1859.Springfield, IL.
| In a pre-trial hearing of the Sangamon County Circuit Court case
of People v. Harrison, Lincoln and
several other attorneys represent Peachy Quinn Harrison, whom the state's
attorney indicted for the murder of Greek Crafton. On July 16, in Pleasant
Plains, Harrison and Crafton fought; Harrison pulled a knife and stabbed
Crafton. Crafton died two days later. On this day, the attorneys for both sides
question "[q]uite a number of witnesses." A newspaper reports, "The case
excited unusual interest and the Court House was densely crowded . . . [T]he
defence urge the plea that Harrison acted wholly in self defence . . . The
examination closed about six o' clock [in the] evening." Daily Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 20 July 1859, 3:1-2;
3 August 1859, 3:1; Trial Transcript, [August 1859 Term], People v.
Harrison, IHi, Springfield, IL. Robert buys blacking
brush at Smith's. Pratt, Personal Finances, 158. |