Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-04-01
Glaze NJ yVood,s Trial.

II corroboraed all the statements formerly given In
the Herald, but the following portions are inte-
resting, as throwing light upon some of the strong
points Of this curious case.
The first interview between Wood and his daugh-
ter, after she away from the house, is thus de-
scribed by MIR. S. Kirving =
Mrs. Sill, Mrs Wood, and myself with the daugh-
ter, (sarah Ann,) went to Mr. WIS house and then
IA the saloon; he came in, and he came in
he uttereda scream OF some noise, the like OF which
never heard bcfore--he fell down i'm fit, and APP
peared TO be in terrible agony, crashing his teeth
all persons in the room to him, his daughter first
when he came to he hugged her and mOaned he
showed no anger towards herr he claspcd her af-
fectionately, and said something to her which |
don't recolect. lie then wished to see her alone in
the third story and told him she could not 90 alone
was between and 10 a. nj. | am of the opinion
that he then insane; he consented l should go,
and we went, and all persons followed in the third
story front room As soon as he got there he ran
the room, and commenced fumblng in his
side pocket, and | left Mrs. Peak and ran to him
found he drew pocket book out; he drew out slip
of paper and went TO Mrs. Peak-this was a copy
Of the marriage certicatcpresented ii to her, and
asked her IL she signed the original; she assented
and he cried, and he walked the room wringing his
hands and pulling his har he then stopped and said,
my DEAR is il possible that you could come back to
this house pure rs when You left it She merely
cried and sobbed; he then put some other questions
20 her; then requested w. to go into another
room nth his wife, and ask her such other ques-
tions as she could afterwards put to Mrs p. They
went out and were absent about fifteen minutes !;
afterwa Mrs. w. and her daughter had private
conversation, OF which know nothing. lie then
sent 90 Peak to ask him if he would allow his daugh
ter 10 remain with him little while to comfort him
p. replied she might, if she came home first; took
her back again. The father and mother and daugh-
ter held each others hands and frequently all three
Of them would be crying; when she took leave Of
her father they kissed each other several tines she
went away between 10 and IL.
Mrs. Joel Cook sworn.-I live in Chestnut street.
q 4 n rr IN ~ a SpOf m no r
] heard crying, screaming and commOtion; was
IN the ID stery back room; heard the bursting
open Of adoor, and heard the report of fire arms;
heard two reports; they were distinct; they were
not together that could have been deceived
by the echo
Cross-examined-The reports were several Sc
conds apart; this was between 9 and 10; heard the
report more than minnie before the door was
burst open; the noise and commotion was immedi-
ately after the door was burst open; there
many noises by several persons; had been half
hour more in my room before heard the noise !;
! heard other noise; the report of the pistols
was the first noise heard.
In relation 90 the interview between the daughter
agd the family, Mrs. Jane Sill stated that her neither
asked her when she married. She said on the
18th Sept. Mrs. w. then asked her if she went
before she got up aud she replied yes and got back
10 prepare YOUR breakfast. Her mother then asked
her why did you do so, why did you deceive me and
the girl made reply. then left the room and
talked 20 Wood. and cndeavcred 20 with him;
when spoke OF his daughters husband, he became
10 the daughter, and told her of the condition of her
family, and that, IL something was not done, her
isthcr would commit suicide. The girl assented to
all proposed.
Joseph Sill afirmed.-On the morning Of the SOth
of Scptem Der my attention attracted by noise
at our back gate, ard saw two o. Mr. Woods child
ren beckoning &C. me; followed them and continued
until came 20 the back chamber of the I'd story;
there Jaw MIR. Wood standing in the middle Of the
ROOM and of thc BOYS clinging him; his looks
were vacant, ~ ~ he was unconscious Of every
thing around himi ] passed him and went TO the
bedside, where saw the poor unfortunate girl well
tcrns ia her blood; l felt her pulse aud found IL
strong; ! raised her head and called for a basin,
water and towel, aud commenced washing the
blood from her face; at this time was not aware
what had happened 60 her; then saw the dreadful
wound in her right eye. sent my young man for
DR. Rush She still continued 90 breathe at spasms,
and still continued To hold her up when DIR. Rush
came in he told me there no hopes; during the
time was holding her the family came around, and
among them was Mr.. Peak; he vented anafhemas
Wood. bat never even stopped Down to feel the
pulse of his dying wife; he then rushed toward
Wood. and j thsught ! heard some words; soon
after this arose and went in the back chamber and
saw Wood lying ON The bed; when ] first saw him
he was not asleep, but soon after fell asleep.
Frederick Wood--On Friday he This father) ate
nothing--on Sunday morning the breakfast table
set bat he didn at dinner time he sat down Ia Ia
Bile, took cup Of coffee and then cot up and went
supper time he ate half milk cake AID cup oftes:
on Saturday he ate nsthing. aud my brother slept
IN the sat NJ the head ~ the bed and he put
MS READ on ntf check ava Naid Nhat blessing ~
that can lay my cheek yours. On Friday night
] heard nv father tell my mother that there
some one at the back gate, and 10 get up and call her
from the window.
Cross eNami.ed-I am IL years 81 age and am the
oldest nv father had access o. the cake in the
store, but know that he ate
Here the Attorney General stated that the Com
monwcalh here submitted the under the
charge of the Court; and judge King charged the
Jury, and stated 60 them that their decision must
rest upon the prime pie that James Wood j. not
moral agent that II such act could be proved
home O. intellectual agent, n would be murder
in the first degree that n they satisfied that
the defendant net Of sufficient sound mind IL
there was srv doubt ON that subject. the defendant
must be acquitted Judgr King did not travel over
the whole Of the irsiinnns adiuced, hut merely
made some general commtuts upon the law. -
iar a. insanity was Involved On the lie told
the jury that The law allowed no man to shelter
himself behind his passions, NO waiter what the
citing cause NAV be. and that liquor Was not
able for any such oGtncs.
At near 10 .'clock th~ Iurv rrtnrned-they had
bccu zone bat about 90 ~ siasfes, when they
drrcd verdict. that "a NE~ WOOD. THE
DEFENDANT, ~ NOT GUILTY. ON TIE
OF INSANITY"
Wood received the snnoanceuent n this verdict
wi;hou moving muscle, and remained On his quiet
sioical manner lic rcccnturtcd 90 prison.
During the absence ~ the jury e~psciatien was en-
tpioc, ard extreme silence rrignrd IN the court
room. The audience manifested no disssiisfaetion
al the verdict
pItFsi riLEs' rtlEs '-nr Lss.oss Cslshr.,sd kevs-
~ Wins 80. al e,fiais err - '-s ~ Ih-s