The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-04-01

ton think Sarah took his arm When got to Eighth
nd George street. on our return home, Sarah sad Das
,uo, you must not go any farther"
by Mr. BsowNE-I never saw any colored man board
ing at Mr.. Hughs house.
me Court adjourned at O'Clock in the evening, TO
"ee aS am 10 morrow moring at o'clock.
RECESS AT NIsHr.-The scene in court to-day has
been altogether the most remarkab and exciting
that has probably ever taken place in any court in
this country There were the minute details of
love, OF seduction, of rape, MURDER the seduced sis
ter and daughter-the desperate BROTHER deliberate
murderer, and unmoved prisoner, on trial for his
life-the hearbroken mother the calm, deep feel
ing, quiet faher-the distressed sisters, sobbng,
crying, agonislng, fanting-the seduced, with her
cloak over her shoulders, her head bowed lowy
down under a black veil hanging from dark velvet
hat, with a white handkerchief constantly covering
her burning face, that was not seen by any one
in court, family articulaing testimony on which
hangs brothers. life, In tones inaudible at the
distance of two eet-evldence pertaining to
houses of prostitution, TO gambling, to fortune
telling, to nsanity-the lawyers for the defence In
tears-the Attorney General for the State, and the
District Attorney for the County, the lawyers tor the
prosecution, unnerved, faltering, yielding TO the
mad tempest OF public passion, and ready to aban-
don the prosecution, even though for murder, cool,
open udy, Ill pIcScuSc
of boat full of witnesses, undenied and undenia-
bic, yea gorled in-what scene! Who can paint
it!-who describe it!
Nor should forget to add that the Mercer family
had for many years been intimate with the family
of the Mr. Wood whose daughter had been scduced
and married, and whom the father deliberately shot,
and who (the father) was defended by this same
dent, able, and interchangeable Peter A. Browne, who
is now defending the murderer of sisters seducer
which sister was galanted home on that memora
BILE and douby, trebly fatal day, by the son of ia
Their who murdered his own daughter;-yes, paint
the scene, we painters!-describe it, We poets!-I
leave it to the Imagination.
A more touching, and pitiable, heart moving
sight than presented in the person of old Mr. MeT-
Ger, have never beheld. His countenance is calm,
quiet, evincing deep pent up feeling, patience, and
resignation, and intense anxiety. The old lady,
his wife, gives way to her feelings, and therefore
seems to get some relief but not with Mr. Mer-
Ger. And Mr.. Browne remarked in Court privately
that the expenses of this trial were crushing his pro-
perty, and eating up his estate. 1t is indeed pi-
table and afflicted family.
FRIpAY-MoRNING SESSION.
Rev. WILLIAM LoUaHRIBGE sworn i am minister OF
the gospel belong the Fourth Presby terrain Church.
Philadelphia; know Thomas Mercer and his family; !
have known them FOR three years and five months they
church; Mr. Mercer is elder in that church,
the general character of Singleton is mild and gentle
his disposition kind and courteous in his manners he is
not vindicve SO far as ever discovered.
Q-What is Sarah MERGERS general character as to
modesty
A-she is a person of unblemished character as to
modesy and chastity. Mr.. and Mrs. Mercer Sens.
comm lncans; was at Mr.. MERGERS house the We'd
nesday the sh February spoken of errand there was
from hearing that his daughter had left the house, and
felt my duty to visit the house. pastor of the church.
Q-Narrate the circumstances at the house3
Al think it was about 10 O'Clock, A. NJ. when ar
rived there On entering the parlor found Mrs. Mercer
deep distress apporenty walked up to her and shook
hands with her. ard asked her how she was the OPP
pose side the parlor Singleton Mercer; he lifted
uphis hands and said, Oh MIR. Loughridge, we are
ruined and disgraced oreyer' and burst into tears He
then threw himself down very violently on a chair
asked what was the matter; he replied "the amount of
berton has seduced and ruined my sister :"
he then and walked the parlor much aga-
ted said hoped not he said it for she
told hun herself that it he then said,
soned with him he continued to walk back and forward
across the paror highly sgitaed second time he lifted
up his hands and said, oh Mr.. L., we are ruined and
disgraced every of - he then insisted leaving
the parlor said could not allow him to leave il until
his mind became settled was then surprised 10 how
violent he became he still insisted on going out to look
for his father refused still to allow him to go the
reasoned With him, the violent he became
thought prudent say much him. order to keep
him in the parlor; he continued alternately throw him
sefn chair and to rise again and walk the parlor
in about half hour he said he would be the better of
something to eat, and water to drink there was
bread and butter sent in with some water glass
think he ate mouhful of bread only; insisted his
eating but he refused and said he could he drank
tumbler of water, and after few minutes he drank
second umber of water he all this time alternately
up third tumbler of WATER he brought in his hand to
the fire place he took his pocket handkerchief from
his pocket, held in his one hand the fender
poured this glass of water it until it completely
saturated He then folded the handkerchief in the form
of bandage and bound round his forehead, and tied
behind in this state Inquired Of him why he did
|
afraid owing to the GOODNESS of the day might injure
him. and advised him to take it off; he refused and il
manned there until it nearly dry; he continued ~
about the paror occasionally insisting getting
out of the house. which always refused to allow till his
brother inlaw came in he inquired if they had not
brought Mr. Heberton with them they told him they
had and he then became truly outrageous his father
rebuked him Mr. Quinn, his brother in law, reasoned
with him very aectonately, and kindly he did not
to me to be able to appreciate or to understand any
thing that was said to him then stepped forward and
spoke TO him again he replied to me very harshy and
said to that all the minister's between here and Ken
sington could not settle his mind recolect nothing
particularly recommended to the friends to have
him confined it would be dangerous to have him go
he left the parlor in charge Of two of his friends
did him after that till him in this town.
By the CouRr-What did he do that outrageous,
asyou said
By NJ BRowN-He used profane language which ne.
yer heard before, and it shocked me very much.
Crossexamned by Mr. MoiLssoN-I live South
Tenth street, below Shppen; have lived in Philadel
pha about three and half years. before that v ed in
New York. studied divinity in Ireland, in Belfast Col
lege. The 4h church is now at the Of Twelfth
and Lombard streets; have given SDgleons character
myself have known him. never noticed that he wal
very resolute dctermned never saw him placed in
circumstances which required such traits Of character
AS to Sarah modesy and chastity never heard any
say anything about her before this affair with Hcberton
except my wife, who said she was handsome, modest
quiet, retiring girl.
ATTORNEY DISQUALIFICATION did your wife make such
strange and singular statements to your
wITSgss-On several OCCASIONS frequently; sometimes
when would call at Mr.. MERGERS house, and
turning home my wife would make these remarks; ne
yer heard her modesty questioned.
Q-Were you surprised to young Mercer in such
of agitation considering the facts which had been
communicated to hint
A-No, was not surprised; grieveda expected to
see him agated,
Odd you use any force to prevent his leaving the
room7
Al stood between him and the door, and he often push
ed aside saying "here is in IT, will go out
he repeated this language often
Q-Were you surprised to him bind up his temples
as he did,