Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1829-09-09
SWEARINGEN.

We copy the following outline Of the
testimony on the trial of this man, and the
sentence of the Court, from the last Ha-
gerstovn Torch Light.
For the following brief sketch ofthe tes-
timony we are indebted to a gentleman,
who was in Cumberland during the trial,
and in whose statement we have the utmost
confidence
The Testimony commenced with the
marriage of the accused, which, 1t vas at
tempted to be proved, was, on his part,
from mercenary motives. His converse
tons in relation to this fact were proved,
and from them it appeared that he was
previously attached to another lady who
returned his affections, but that this con
nexion had been broken off by the interior
ence Of his relations. Evidence was then
adduced to show his coldness and lndifter-
ence towards his wife, aad in juno or July
1927, that he upset her in a gig on Mar
tin's mountain, on which occasion she was
dreadiuly injured, and her recovery was
a LONG time doubtful. His conneXion with
a lewd woman, named Rachel Cunning
ham, was next given in evdence--hls &C
ouaintance with her commenced IN August
or September, 1877, Immediately previous
to his election. On that occasion he took
this woman to a camp meeting, in Wash
ington county, in q barouche. The nature
of his intercourse. with this woman, was
then proved-the testimony consisting
chiefly of his own conversations with differ
ent individuals, at different times. From
those itappears, he built house IN Hagers-
town, into which she was put-that he Wis
tied her here openly and daily,-that tile
indignation of the public arose on one oc-
casion to such a height as to threaten a
mob for the purpose of pulling down his
house-that he armed himselfon the occa-
sion and threatened to kill the first man
who approached,-that he then sent her of
to Virginia, where he occasionally paid her
visits, and ultimately removed her to the
farm which he held IN right OF his wife, IN
Allegany county.
1t was proved, also, that his wife left
him in consequence of his connexIon with
Rachel Cunningham, and in a short time
afterwards, consented to come back and
live with him, it being understood that his
intercourse with his paramount was entirely
broken off. He then promised ohls friends
a reformation in his life and habits, and
for time was seen walking out with his
wife, aud conducting himself towards her
as became a husband.
The 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 they re-
manned al 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 drove
of cattle, at the head of which was young
Hillary, who sworc he saw the accused 81
his wife, leave the road, he riding before
and carrying the child and she following at
short distance.--At the distance OF about
three hundred yards from the path where
they turned off, they reached the foot of a
steep bill, when he got down, hitched his
own horse, and put down his child. That
be then took his wife's horse by the bride,