The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1838-01-27

OOHdtHdt TuTSeH. OF Bloom,
Peter Appleman, of Hemlock,
.Rid Holden, of Derry,
WiHiam Girton, Esq, of Hemlock,
John Shearer, of Limestone,
John McWilliamS, of Liberty,
John MclMahan, of Liberty,
John Oil, Esq, of Hemlock,
John Renley, of Bloom,
alexander Colley of Sugar Loaf
John Herring, of Bloom, and
John Wertman, Of Bloom.
IRAN DERR, and JAMES EDGAR, two con-
stables in attendance, were appointed by
the Court to attend the Jury, and severally
sworn neither to speak to the Jury them
selves, nor suffer any other person to speak
to them, touching any matter relative to the
trial and lodgings and entertainment were
ordered to be provided for them at the pub
lie house of Mr.. William Henrie.
The Indictment was then read to the Ju-
ry by Mr.. COMFY, and the cause on the part
of the commonwealth opened by HIRAM A.
THORNTON, Esq, in pertinent speech, in
which he explained the nature and impor-
tance of the cause, and the kind of evidence
which would be produced in the trial against
the prisoner at the bar.
The Counsel for the Commonwealth then
called the following witnesses, who sever
ally testified as follows:
Stephen Sprom. This witness, small
boy about ten years of age was not permit
ted to testify, because he did not know the
nature of an oath; and the counsel for the
commonwealth placed him in proper hands
to receive the necessary instruction.
Sarah finn SprOm, sworn. Thomas
Poke and Betty Poke were in the kitchen
at VIM. Sprouts house in Madison town
ship, Columbia CouHty. Dornell came to
the door, and wanted in, and after he open
ed the door and came in, he took hold of
Poke and pulled him back. Poke struck
him, and Dornell fell out on the porch. He
struck him with an axe-onIy once. 1t
was this winter, on Saturday night. He
hit him ON the back. When DornelI was
fetched into the house he dragged one leg,
and after he was laid down he spoke, but
with great difficulty. He died at Sprouts
after day and part of night. No person
else struck Dornell, nor did Dornell strike
Poke. | was very much alarmed at the
time. My father was not at home, and no
person was there but Mr.. Poke, his daugh-
ter Betsy, Margaret Welsh, and brother
Stephen. Dornell was bleeding at his iole-
head when brought in.
CrosS-eraminedby Counsel for prisoner.
TWAS after dark when Poke came to fathers
house. He came into the kitchen, and his
daughter with him. He asked for supper
and for lodgings; and him and his daughter
were sitting by the fire while we were pre-
pairing supper for them. Dornell was in
the bar room making great noise and
fastened the door of the kitchen with a
knife to keep him out. He swore and
stormed great deal, and when he pushed
the door open the staple came out. When
he came in Poke said . how do YOU do,
john" in friendly manner; and Dornell
took hold of him by the hair of the head
There was no candlelight in the kitchen
when Dornell broke in, and not much light
from the fire. After Dornell fell down Poke
had fit right away, which lasted perhaps
half an hour; and when Poke recovered,
him and his daughter lifted Dornell up, bro't
him in, and put pillow under his head.
Poke and father were sitting by Dornell
when went to bed. Poke left our house
next morning after sunrise. Poke and Bet
sy travelled in a wagon. The stroke was
given before Dornell was in FIVE minutes.
Re-erGmined by Commemorative COul-
sci. 1t was light enough in the kitchen to
tell who came in. The blow was struck
in the kitchen door while Dornell was going
out, and when he fell his feet lay inside of