Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1829-09-24
SWEARINGEN.


Tho following outline Of the testimony
"n the trial Of this man, 10 from tho H0-
gerstown Torch Light.
Tho testimony commenced with tho
marriage Of the accused, which It was at
tempted 10 to proved, was, on his part,
from mercenary motives. His CONVERSE.
tons in relation to this fact were proved,
aud from them 1t appeared that no was
previously attached to another lady who
returned his affections, but that this con-
nection Ind been broken of by tho inter-
ference cf his friends. Evidouce was then
adduced to show his GOODNESS and indiAcr-
ence towards his vito, and in June or July,
1897, that he upset hcr in II gig on Mathis
mountain, on which occasion sho was
droadfully injured, and her recovery was
long timo doubtful His connection with
lewd woman, named Rachael Cunning
ham, was next given in evidonce-his ac-
quaintanco with her commenced in August
or September, 1927, Immediately previous
10 his election MS Sheriff. On that occa-
sion no took this woman to n camp mo0t-
ing, in Washington County, In barouche.
Tho nature Of his intercourse with this
woman, was then proved-,he testimony
consisting chiefly Of his own conversations
with different individuals, at different times.
From those, it appeared, that he built n
house in Hagerstown, into which she was
put-that no visited her here, openly and
daily-that tho Indignation Of tho public
arose on one occasion to such height as to
threaten mob for tho purpose OF pulling
down his housc-that hc armed himself on
tho occasion aud threatened TO kill tho first
man who pproached-that he sent her Of
to Virginia, where he occasionally paid her
visits, and ultimately removed her TO the
farm which no held in right Of his wife, in
Allegany County.
II was proved also that his wife left him
in consequence Of his connection with RAJ
chael Cunningham, aud in short time af-
forwards, consented to come back and live
with him, it being understood that his in
tercourse with his pnramour was entirely
broken of. He then made promises TO
his friends Of a reformation in his life and
habits, aud for some time was seen walking
out with his wife, and conducting himself
towards her as became a husband.
Tho facts Immediately connected with
the death were then proved as follows
That he left Cumberland on Sunday, in
company with his wife, and proceeded as
far as Mrs Peggy Cresap's where no 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. At this point he was met by Il
drove of cattle, at the head of which was
Young Hillary, who swore he saw the ac-
cused and his wife leave tho road, he RI
ding before and carrying the child, and she
following at a short distance.-At the dis
lance of about two hundred yards from the
path where they turned of, they reached
the foot of a steep hill, when he got down,
lltched 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, at
which point young Hillary lost sight Of
them.
When the drove had proceeded about
three fourths Of mile, Swearingen over
took it, riding at a moderate gait, with his
child in his arms. fle asked tho drover
his name and where he was from. After
which he told him that his wife had been
thrown from her horse, and he was afraid
she was dead, and wished him 10 take his
horse and ride to Cresap Town and send
Robert Kilo 20 him Immediately. Which
tho drover did.
When Kile came 20 tho ground he was