Monday morning, April 13, 1863, marked the third day of the trial of George Gamble, accused of robbing the mail between Cumberland and Wheeling on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad during the sweltering summer of 1862. The prosecution, led by District Attorney Col. Smith, continued to build its case against Gamble, relying heavily on circumstantial evidence. In the afternoon, Col. Smith introduced a crucial piece of rebuttal evidence: a letter written by Gamble to Newbrough, responding to a letter from the latter. In this letter, Gamble inquired about how to alter the dates of letters found on the tracks near Fetterman. The district attorney further revealed an anonymous epistle, written to the Department, which bore the same handwriting as Gamble’s letter to Newbrough. The courtroom erupted in a heated debate between defense attorney Mr. Caldwell and Col. Smith, with the latter arguing for the admissibility of the anonymous letter. After a lengthy discussion, the court adjourned until the next morning, leaving the fate of Gamble’s defense hanging in the balance.
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Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: Crime and Corruption
- Era: Historical
- Source: Library of Congress — Chronicling America ↗
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