A Full and Accurate Report of the Trial of William P. Darnes, on an..

1841. From the Library of a Notable Worcester Doctor and Bibliophile [Trial]. Darnes, William P., Defendant. Nelson, Thomas S., Reporter. A Full and Accurate Report of the Trial of William P. Darnes, On an Indictment Found by the Grand Jury of St. Louis County, At the September Term, 1840, Of the Criminal Court of Said County, On a Charge of Manslaughter in the Third Degree, For the Death of Andrew J. Davis, (Late of Northboro', Mass.) In the City of St. Louis, On the First of June, 1840. Boston: Printed by Tuttle, Dennett & Chisholm, 1841. 269 pp. 12mo. (7-3/4" x 5"). Stab-stitched pamphlet bound into later quarter cloth, front and rear wrappers of pamphlet affixed to front and rear boards, library shelf label to foot of spine. Light rubbing, soiling and a few minor stains to boards, moderate rubbing to extremities with some wear to spine ends, corners, and foot of front board, hinges cracked, front free endpaper detached. Light toning to interior, light spotting in places, tiny stain and embossed owner stamp of John Green, M.D. to title page, library discard inkstamp to verso of title page, other embossed Green stamps to front wrapper and rear endleaf. $450. * Second and final edition, one of two issues, both in 1841. Davis was the well-known owner of a St. Louis newspaper that published several highly critical columns about Darnes, an important local politician. Enraged, Darnes attacked Davis on the street with an iron rod, striking him in the head. Davis was rushed to a hospital, but died a few days later. Darnes was indicted. The trial lasted two weeks and engaged some of the best lawyers and medical experts in the area. The case turned on whether Davis died from the blow or his medical treatment. Both sides offered a strong case. In the end Darnes was convicted of fourth-degree manslaughter and fined $500. Our copy belonged to John Green III, MD [1784-1864]. A member of a distinguished Worcester, MA family, Dr. Green was an avid bibliophile and the founder of the Worcester Public Library, to which he donated his personal library of nearly 12,000 titles. This case not in McDade. Stevens, St. Louis, The Fourth City, 1764-1911 I:369-370. Catalogue of the Library of the Harvard Law School (1909) II:1057.