The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1829-09-10
MISCELLANY.
F,om ths Hagerstown Herald.
tn, murderer eonpieted. George Swe,

IN which the Allegheny Criminal Cour
were in session about three weeks, has
heen convicted of the murder Of his wife
When the jury retired on Saturday the 22c
they found no difficulty in agreeing to
verdict Of guilty; which was rendered, we
are informed, in the short space Of lOmin'
utes. Thus has fallen a wrctched man
loaded with an amount Of guilt at which
humanity shudders An incident occurred
during the trial, which exhibits even more
hardihood Of conscience than was ever
looked for in one so STEPPED IN crime. A
person visiting the room where he was
confined, discovered in the crown OF his
hat, an undated letter, which had evident
w been written by him while the trial was
pending; it was inteuded to be addressed
10 Rachael Cunningham, the object OF his
guilty passion, who had fed with him after
the murder; in il lie informed her Of his ac.
Cuittsl, onG begged her TO proceed imme'
dately to Cumberland, the place Of MS a
bode, where he was waiting her arrival
with anxiety, and where he hoped they
might live to, ,,ether to part no more &c
This manuscript was forthwith brought into
Court, and presented to the Jury MS an i'm.
poriant item of condemning evidence by
the counsel for the State.
The following outline of the testimony
on the trial of this man, and the sentence
Of the Court, is from the last Hargerstown
Torch Light
For the following brief sketch ofthe ,es.
iimouy we are eindebted to a genteman,w who
was in Cumberland during the trial, and in
whose statement we have the utmost con.
fidcnce.
The testimony commenced with the mar.
rage Of the accused, which,ii was attempt
ed to be proved, was, on his part, from
mercenary motives. His conversations in
relation TO this fact were proved, and from
them il appeared that he was previously at.
tsched to another lady who returned his
ffoc tons. But that this connection had
been broken off by the interference Of his
relations. Evidence was then adduced 20
show his GOODNESS and Indifference towards
his wife, aud in June, 1897, that he upset
her IN n gig on Martins mountain,on which
occasion she was dreadfully injured, g. hor
recovery was n long time doubtful. His
connection with icwd woman, named Ra.
Cunningham, was next given IN evidence
his acquaintance with her commenced in
August or September, 1927, Immediately
previous to his election. On that occasion
no took this woman TO a camp meeting, in
Washington county, in barouchc. The
nature of his intercourse with this woman,
was then proved--the testimony consisting
chiefly his own conversations with differ
ent individuals Mt different times. From
those it appeared that ho built a house in
lIargerstown. into which she was put
that ke visited her here, openly and daily,
that the Indignation of the public arose
on one occasion 10 such q height as to
threaten mob for the purpose OF pulling
down his house, that he armed himselfon
the occasion and threatened to kill the first
man who approached, ,-he then sent her off
where he occasionally paid her
visits, and ultimately removed her to the
farm which he held in right Of his wife, in
Allegheny county.
1t was proved, also, that his wife left
him in consequence of his connexion with
Rachael Cunningham, aud in short time
she consented 10 come back g.
live with him. it being understood that his
with his paramour was entirely
broken off lie then made promises to his
friends Of reformation in his life and hab.
It's, and for time was ssen walking out
with his wife, and conducting himself to.
wards her as became husband.
The facts immediately connected with
The death were then proved as follows
Tba, he left Cumberland on Sunday, in
company with his wife, and proceeded as
Far as mrs. Peggy Cresap's where they re
NAMED all night. In the morning they set
out to 90 to another mrs. Cresap's and left
the road when they arrived opposite his
farm. this point he was met by drove
of cattle, at the head Of which was young
II llairy, who swore that he saw tho sccu
scd and his wife, leave the road, he riding
before and carrying the child and she fol.
lowing at a short distance. AT the distance
Of about two hundred yards from the path
where they turned off they reached the
foot of steep hill, when he got down,
h,ched his own horse, and put down his
child. That he then took his wife's horse
by the bride, and led him up the hill, al
WHICH point young Hillary lost sight Of
them.
When the drove had proceeded about
three four,hs OF mile. Gwearingen. over.
took it, riding at moderate gait, with his
child in his arms. He asked the drover
his name and where he was from. After
which he told him that his wife had been
thrown from her horse, that he was afraid
she was dead. and wished him 10 take his
horsesand ride 70 Cresap Town and send
Robert Kile to him immediately. Which
he did.
When Kile came to the ground he was a.
bout passing the road leading to Swearin.
gems farm, when he heard whistle, and
looking in that direction, saw the accused
sitting by the dead body. She was lying
on the side Of this by road about hundred