Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1829-09-03
Gmeartmgem's Crial.
From the Torch Light.

We have delayed our paper 10 day to a late
hour for the purpo c OF having before the public
as tuii an account of The trial OF the misguided
and unfortunate GEoRCE SwEAsrsoRs. IS pos
sihle. We hid expected a report of the trial
rom friend in Cumberland, by this mornings
Western mail, but not having received that
report, We have been reduced TO the necessity
Of making on such a statement as we have been
able to collect from letters. and gentlemen who
were in Cumberland during the trial This
statement We believe however may be relied
on as nearly ifnot strictly correct, in all lis parts.
The term of the Special Court opened on
Monday. Sd inst. in Cumberland Present the
Hon. John Buchanan. Chief Judge. ard he
Hon. .95,aham Shriver. and the Hon. Ihsmas
Buchanan Assocla, es-Droa for the State,
and Nm. Price. .tfc. Hahgn snd Basklrk, tor the
prisoner. On the opening of tue Court. Mr..
Dr0n, the prosecuting attorney, stated that be
was not then prepared to go INFO the trial in
consequence Of he absence Of material witness
es. accordingly issued for several
witnesses residing in Washington county. and
tor one resident in R4ltimoFe county--and the
Court adjourned FROM day to day until Tuesday
the 18th inst. On which day Mr. Dixon stated
that he was ready to proceed with the trial.
S~earngen vas accordingly arraigned and
pleaded not guilty. The empannelllDg OF the
Jury then commenced. Out OF twenty five
lurymen summoned, three were sworn. On
Wednesday out of tbirty.six tsllsmen SIX jurors
were sworn; and out of thirty talismen three
| were sworn 90 Thursday, making up the PANEL
which consisted of the following named
grntle ems Thomas Blair, Wilian Wofard,
Samuel II GiAis Lhn Uhite, Nathan ". Tracy,
HiAam Conrad George Bloeker, John .Miier,
John North, Jshn I1Sgg, John Uin aud Isasc
W.Fd
Toe examination oft witnesses commenced
on Frida, i4th, aud closed on "Wednesday 18th
inst. The piesdings were opened on Thursday
| 2Oth, by Mr.. Diroh. on the part OF The State,
who was followed oy Mr.. BuskirE and Mr.
| VIZ .NahOn, same day on the part OF the prisoner.
Mr.. We. uahon occupied The greater part ct the
Aay on Friday, and vas followed same day. MIR.
Price. whs concluded his speech on Saturday.
w. Diron closed the pteadings GA Saturday.
Mr. Dixon spoke about five hours in the case,
ur. Busklrk one hour, Mr.. Mcmahon seven
md a half, and Mr.. Price about five hours At
4 o'clock on Saturday, the jury retired. and
ftrr an absence Of ten minutes returned v it'll a
verdict of Faculty Of murder ig the frst degree :
For the following brief sketch OF the ,estlmo.
nv we are indebted to a gentl man, whe was IN
lCumbeiland during the trial, and in whose
abatement we have the utmost confidence
The testimsay commenced with he marriage
{ the accused. which it wss attempted to be
| nroyed was, on hrs part, from mercenars mo
yea. His conversations in relation to this fac
we're proved, and from them it appeared that
! ne was previously attached to another lady whe
\ .e,urned his affections, but that this connection
! had been broken eff by the interference of hi
.ela,;ous. Evidence was then adduced to shsW
ms GOODNESS and indiffereT e towards bis wife
. aud 10 June or July, 1897, that be upset her Is