A significant proof of this feeling was evidenced in a rather remarkable
incident which occurred as Jackson was leaving the court-room after the
trial. There were probably a dozen women in the audience, among whom was
a party of three comely, well dressed and to all appearances, thoroughly
respectable women. They sat on the first row of the benches for the
general spectators. As Jackson passed from the inclosure wherein he had
been seated and started for the ante-room with Sheriff Plummer, one of
the women suddenly reached out and kicked Jackson twice. She put all her
strength into the blows. Jackson flushed and then smiled the smile which
in his case is better evidence of internal anguish and agitation than
is a tear on the face of most men. Neither Judge Helm nor Sheriff
Plummer, nor in fact, any one outside from three spectators saw the
incident. The officers walked rapidly, looking neither to the right nor
to the left, and seemed, from their grimness, to realize the great
responsibility which rested upon them.