Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1843-04-08
Trial OF Mercer,

O'e '''o'eo'e W young MERCER 'nan nau peen et-
pected. The following condensed sistemen, Of the
proceedings ia from the N. Y Tribune
"The trial of Mercer for the murder Of Heberton,
st Woodbury., N. j., Is fairly under way, and the |
grounds of defence were fully laid down by the
counsel who opened in behalf Of the prisoner. The
prosecution rested after proving the fact of killing.
Mr.. Browne in opening the defence, made long
address, in which he alluded frs, to the youth of
Mercer the ,kness of his frame, his nervous TEN.
perament, and to the effect which on early disease
has had upon both his mind and body. His IA
thcr is a retired Mechanic of Philadelphia. Heh,s
four sisters, three of whom are single. Sarah was
represented a mere child, modes, and of yielding
disposition, having never attended theatre or a
ball, and Of the most unexcep,ionablo character,
until short time since Her associates were most
ly with children like herself Heber,on was an a.
bandoned bertine, his place Of business brothel,
and his only pursuit seduction. Miss Mercer first
encountered him while she was passing through
the street with friend 10 purchase some grapes
for q sick relation. He had followed them from
stree, to street and she misook him for Mr. Bas,ido
whom she had seen q, the house of her brolher>in.
law. Heberton took advantage of her mistake, and
on meeting her again in the street, few days Of.
her was purely accden,al-spoke t., and told her
he would see her ain. All this while lie allow
ed her to suppose that this name was Basiido, and
under that name he exacted promis, from her to
met him again. At The third interview he decla>
red himself Violently in love with her. and solicited
an introduction to her family. She named sever
al friends who would introduce him, but he knew
none Of them. He pretended, however, TO know
Mr. Dinkler, Of whom she spoke, and said he
would call upon her family with him. He never
did so, however. Up to this time his treatment Of
her had been gcnenonly and becoming.
Soon afterwards. however, while walking with
her, he complained of the cold be led her into
Ezabeih-srcet, where she had never been before,
and proposed to call a, the house Of Mrs. Met
tore She declined, but he assured her be was well
acquainted there, at the same time ringing the he'll
The servant came t, the door, anl he urged her n
They entered room where there was fire. She
imme lately became alarmed and refused to remain
bu, Heberton locked the door, put the key in hi,
pocket, and upon her screaming for assistance DIRE"
pistol and tn hea,ened her life if she did moi yelt
TO his desires. In this way he forced her, though
screaming and struggling, into compliance with
his wishes. This, the Counsel said. would be full
| ~ proved by Miss Mercer herself, by persons tc
whom she tod the story, and by women who heart
her screams.
After this Heherton endeavored TO persuade he
to silence, promised to marry ler and go to New
Orleans declared that he could satisfactorily refui
any story she might tell her parents to his disaI.
! vantage threatened if she exposed him to Prov
that she nvited him 10 go with her. and in vsriou
ways endeavored TO procure her silence. During
all this time he was boss,ing among his comPan
ions Of his successful vlainy, and on one occasion
in an oyster cellar took pistol from his pocke
Swing that that was for her brother, If he attempt
ed to interfere. Being asked what he would j.
should any one thus wrong his sister, he decla
red that he would blow his brains out like dog
The day on which Miss Mercer lef; her hom
she spent with her married sister. A servant, tol
her that her father very angry with her fo
something he had learned, and frightened he
that she ran away to a house where she had me
Heherton. Her brother next day met Hcbertor
and took him to Mf. Mercer's House, where a
angry interview took place. Young Mercer use
his best end. avcrs TO find his sister, but Heberto
den ed all knowledge Of her. The woman wit
whom she was staying however informed her pa
rents that she wns there. and she was at once ser
for and brought home. She told the whole stor
to her mother. and the next day to her brothe
who, from the moment he heard it, seemed hop
lessly mad. He raved and sssaed every enc
met, and was only prevented from killing his s
ter by those around him. The interview at h
Alderman's office rendered him still farther affeC
ted and every act he performed seemed evidenc
Of insanity. Mr. Browne proceeded q, great lengt
to show the state Of McIcer's mind at the time
committing the deed for which he is on trial, WI
such as to ahsolve him fIom all legal responshi'it
for the deed. He made very long, ineeniou
ard elaborate argument, principally upon this poln
Testimony will of course be submitted to prove Ii
several points on which reliance is placed
: TmE CASAL.-We have the pleasure to annount
I that the Canal is open, and that several boat
: cleared from Columbia westward, have passed III
| nI,ea Wa NAV soon eXDes 4 a hIlsk business upl