The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-11-16
Ouotrtal.
Trial FOR MURDER.
ELKToN. vows.

came on at Court, held for the purpose, al
Chestertown, Kent County. Judges Earle
and Purnell present.
Mr.. Kell, Attorney General, and David J
Campbell, Esq. for the prosecution. Cham
bers, Grcome, and Mclean, Counsel for the
prisoner.
The Indictment was read. The Attorney
General then opened the case, and Summed
up the testimony which he expected to lay
before the Jury.
Mr.. Chambers then gave an outline of the
testimony, which was about to be taken He
called the attention of the Jury TO the respec
liability of the witnesses from Kentucky, or
the part of the prisoner. He observed they
were entitled to much credit for their prompt
ness in coming distance of more than COO
miles, a journey which they had humanely
undertaken for the purpose of saving the life
of poor destitute creature, who had been
changed with an offence which be never com
mitted, and creature from when they never
could expect any return for Their trouble.
The Court then proceeded 10 the examina-
tion of the witnesses on the part Of the prose-
cation.
Grey Barber sworn, stats-That while
travelling on the Road in Virginia, about the
last of May or the first of Jupe last, he fell in
company with the prisoner At the bar John
Corners; } he was in company with him one
day and a half. Conner. tld him that he
had murdered persons--he last he had
murdered was Miss Cunningham of Cecil
County. Corners said he had violated her,
taken her gold ring, and expected to get a
gold watch, but she had none-~killed her for
fear she would be witness against him.
Prisoner said he was on his way Fl ON Harper's
Ferry to North Caroline; said America was a
| id convicted country, and wanted witness
to Join hin in robbing the United States mail :;
said they could make fortune by SO doing.
At the house ola Mrs. Bilingsly, Corners said
| he had killed Miss G. with silver dirk. Wit
mes then asked young man named James
DICKENS to listen in sthe bushes while he
would interrogate the prisoner, who still told
the same story; said he had sold the ring in
| Baltimore or Alexandra for three dollars.
Witness says that he aud prisoner were some
| times both drunk.
When cTcss-examinod, he said he did not
know how old he was. He did not profess
any religion, but sentlemanly principles.
| James OeckenS--John Corners and G,ey
Barber were both drinking at tavern in yir.
ginia; they disputed, and Barber told witness
that Corners had confessed to him that he
had murdered Miss Cunningham. Witness at
Barber's request concealed himself in The
bushes, and overheard Corners tell Bayber
that he had violated Miss Cunningham. and
heard him say something about ring.
| Peter Bowter.-On the first of June iast.
John Conners and Grey Barber were together
at tavern in Virginia. Mr. L. Jenkins tues-
toned Barber about the confession of Corners,
| Barber said Corners had confessed the murder
of Miss Cunningham. Witness inquired why
he killed the lady. Corners said he did not
kill her, but had passed by the place where
she was murdered on the day the deed was
done; heard Barber tell Corners that ne had
confessed that he had murdered Miss Cum
bingham, but Corners denied it.
Leroy. Jenkins had seen Corners and Bar
Der together on the first day Of jane last.
Witness seized Corners and assisted in tyiue
MN, and taking him before a magistrate to
undergo an examination. Corners said Bar
Der was id liar for saying he had confess,
ed the murder; struck Barber and said he
had betrayed him. Barber said Conners had
confessed the murder of five men and one wo-
man; that he wanted to rob the United States
mail. Corners said he fell in with Barber on
the road and asked him if he had ever heard
OF the murder Of Miss Cunningham tod him
ne had travelled past the place where the
murder was committed, near the time It was
done. Witness afterward, when Conners was
IN JAIL, asked where he was on the frst Of
| April last; Corners said he was l2 miles
from Wheeling, Ohio; said he had been at
the mouth of the Wabash river, and travelled
from there TO Louisville, and to MilIersbury.
Kentucky, in the month of April. He had
passed by the name of Corners and Peters !:
said he had bought hat from Mr.. DER.
Corners said he intended writing 70 man of
the name OF Sanders, one Of the name Of DER
and one Of the name of Piano.
| Witness examined Conner's bundle after
his arrest; he found cambria shawl which
appeared like a lady's
! Richard Boulder believes that he has seen
John Conners (the prisoner at the bari at his
house on the Cd day of April last John Con-
ners called for porter, eat breakfast said he
was going to the Chesapeake and Delaware
canal; returned sometime afterward; said he
| did not like the canal. He left a bundle OF
clothes, which he said another man would
stop Tor; lodged at witness's house on the Sd
OF April took breakfast on the next day, the
day on which the murder was committed,
James Sn,uh-has worked on the Chesa-
peake and Delaware canal for some time.
lie had seen the prisoner at the canal looking
for work; thinks it was in March last.
Haley MoGt-believes he saw John Con-
ners 1.-THE prisoner at the bari at the Chesa-
] peake and Delaware canal last spring.
WaiianD1 .AdGir--fonnd the body nf Miss
Cunningham on the Friday evening after she
had been murdered; he saw she had been
stabbed in the breast; the body was stiff and
appeared as if she had been dead for some
days.
DR.. Wilianl .Neblock-examined the BODY
of Miss Cunningham she had several wounds.
which appeared as if they had been inflicted
with knife or dirk; one of the wounds wa.
on the left side and appeared like mortaI
wound. She had also several bruises and
marks Of violence on her body.
George StuLbens-Miss Cunningham called
at his house on Monday the 4th day of April
last she had child with her, gave the wit.
ness some money and walked toward Charles
| foun ono ~ t,uo hnwra afgar 1v;t. - r.