Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-10-03
From the Boston Patriot.
TRIAL FOR MURDER.

The trial of Ro5t. Bush for the murder of his
! wife, came on before the Supreme Judicial
Court a, Sprins field, on the 18th ult. and con-
tinued until noon on the l9h, when the Jury
retired, and in two hours returned with a ver-
dict Of Guilty. On the goth, sentence Of death
was pronounced upon the unhappy culprlt. in
an impressive manner, by Chief Justice Parker.
The Solicitor General, Davis, opened The case,
and produced witnesses who testified to the fol-
lowing facts
"On Saturday The 9Th OF September, 1927,
at sunset, the prisoner procured so grains Of
opium and also powder ard shot, with which
he charged his Gun, at iae tslRJe 81 Tie if66ss
where his wife was living In consequence Of
the bad habits and character Of Bush, there had
been two years before separation between him
and his wife, who resided at the house Of Capt.
Jared Noble. sush had repeatedly requested
her to live with him again, and on the night
previous to the murder, in consequence Of her
refusal he threatened her life On the way to
the house he shook hands with several Of the
witnesses. telling them he should never see them
, m ore, and wished them well. One OF the wits
NJ sses told Mrs. B. that her husband was COM
Ing 10 kill her, aud was requested by her to
stay with her; but she ran Immediately 10 her
fathers for help. Her brother came GU, and
saw Bush take his gun from the fence and go
towards the house. He sprang towards him,
and was within ten fee: Of him when The gun
was discharged. Mrs. B. was sanding a, the
cellar door when he fired. and fell down the GEL
lar stairs. Her right hand aud arm was horri-
bly, mangIed, and fifteen sho, were lodged in her
side Just below the breast bone She fingered
until l | o'clock, when she expired. Bush was
Immediately seized aud asked what h. had been
doing! He laughed, and at fist denied the
deed; afierw wards he said he had shot he IL the
bowels, and "there was no mistake" He was
observed 10 put something in his mouth, which
was soon ascertained by the smell 10 be opium.
Powerful emetics were then offered him, which
he refused They were forced down, the OPT
um disgorged, and he was restored from the
effects which II nad already produced. During
the whole scene he was calm, and made bu,
Sigh, effort to escape. On the next morning
he was examined, and pleaded guilty Of the
crime OF murder, On his way to Jail, he stop
ped at the house Of his wife's father, and was
shewn the maneled corpse Of his wife; he ap>
peareG deeply affected, and exclaimed, "Oh,
what have l door! i would give a thousand
worlds could exchange situations with her!-
Take me away cannot stay bere!" His chill
dren were brought TO him; but the sight OF
them seemed more deeply to afflict him, and he
left the apartment. On The road, in converse
ton with the officer, he said he had killed his
wife because he was jealous, but that he was
mistaken in her guilt, and should never have
committed ne crime had il not been for RUN"
The defence set up by the prisoners Counsel,
Mr.. Boies, rested upon the ground Of insanity,
ofthat kind denominated by medical men Mon.
omania, or insanity On one subiecl, caused BY
the anxiety of his mind, in consequence of his
separation from his wife. The evidence in
defence brough, forward facts in confederation,
he having conducted strangely at tunes. The
medical witnesses testified ba, while in Jail his
pulse was very quick. from 100 10 ia, bu, that
that circumstance was not uniform or safe cri
lerion Of insanity 1t did not appear that he was
10 habits of in,oxica'ion, although he drank
ially about bali pint of spirits.
The U. s. frigate Hudson, Capt. Creighton bound
Brazil and the sioop of war Erie, Capt. turner, for