The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-06-29
TIL E REPU BLIC.
Reported tor the Republic.
TRIAL OF r. III. HARRINGTON,
UNITED STATES CRIMINAL COURT.

UNITED STATES CRIMINAL COURT.
"WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, June 26 and 81.
UNITED STATES VS.. RICHARD Fl. HARRMcroN-In-
dictment for an assault and battery upon William
Froehiich, German employed at the navy yard,
whose corpse was found, few days after the al
legged assault, floating in the Potomac.
KEY and RATcLIBFE for the prosecution; BRADLEY
and MAY for the defence.
Dr.. Aaron W. Miller testified that he examined
the condition of Froehlich 8 body, at the Anacosta
engine house, on Monday evening, shortly after he
was taken from the water. He took clothes from
the body, and found one large confusion under the
left arm this confusion must have been made with
something blunt. II must have been done in the
lifetime Of the deceased. The place was bruised,
and there was a large collection of blood. On the
right side there was an injury which was TRIMS
verse, if produced by falling something sharp;
on something sharp like the witness stand. There
was another bruise on the right groin, about q
inches long, this might have been produced by a
kick. On the back there were several marks, that
looked as if the deceased had fallen down steps.
There were marks on the neck, which looked as If
he had been choked. The deceased had suffered
from scrofua, and there were deep remaining.
His collar buttoned, and this might account for
the bruises after death. Could not tell, from the
appearance of the face or chest, whether either
was injured or not. The bruises were very severe,
and were inflicted during life. He was buried on
Tuesday. On Wednesday a post-mortem examina-
ton Of the body was proposed, and witness de-
cined unless others were associated with him. Mr..
Casparis and others said that other doctors were
ready, and Drs. Miller, Elliot, and Morgan, met
for the purpose. The condition of the body was
| such that it could not be examined. Witness put
his fingers chest to examine it. 1t was too much
swollen, and there was no post-mortem examina.
ton. Witness was acquainted with deceased The
assault was said to have taken place on Thursday
May "a. ! saw him on the day previous-con.
\ apd wi Inn IN 0rd Never
any thing in his behaviour like insanity. He was Of
a nervous temperament, and when excited his eye
| would brighten.
| On the cross-exmination DR.. Miller said can
not say how long the body was in the water, nor
how long it had been taken out when saw it.
have not the least shadow of doubt that the wounds
were inflicted during life. The places where the
| wounds appear are the last to decompose after
death, the air cannot get to them do not think
| they would show if they had been caused by fall.
If death ensued ten minutes AFTER, they would not
| show. Can discover by the skin whether the in
| jury be caused before or after death.
Vim. J. Jsfzs.-The first of the affair that knew
was, that Froehlich came to the evening before,
and said he wanted my hack, and also my cart to
move his things from Harringtons the next day, as
he had rented house on New Jersey avenue and
was going to move there. said had no cart, but
told him | could get him one. About half-past
seven next morning, he came for the horse and
CdcO me l0tO the StOIc, nc bdlu nc WdDt-
ed to see me he had piece Of writing in his hand.
He said he would deposit some money in my hands,
| to pay for three weeks board; and he wished me
to get q receipt. ! declined, beca was friend
of Harrington's; but told him he could bring Har-
rington to my house, and would witness the pay
tment. He asked me to change him FIVE dollars
said he would 60 and get bedstead ready. 1 wen
down with the hack. The cart was ready in a few
minutes. Harrington came out of his house, and
asked the boy who was the cart If he came after
Froehlichs things. The boy said, yes Harrington
told him to come in, and he would show him the
things. They had been up minute or two, when
| | heard some sounds, and then heard II. say, "You
have got TO pay me before you quit this room, or
| III cut your Cd d--n throat" Something more
was said, and presently the black boy came down.
| Mr. Harrington then came down, and came into
my store, and showed me the paper which Froehhch
had showed me in the morning, and asked if had
the money | said, " No; he showed it to me this
morning, and, as you and | are friendly, told him
| did not want any thing to do with it," ! further
said, that he had no cause TO be uneasy he need
not be afraid that F. would not pay; and that he
had better let the things go. Il. said, No, by G.
| am right up and down myself, and he can't 90
without the money! He went out, and bcckoned
TO Charley Finnegan and the boy; they went into
the house. When he beckoncd, they were at the
gate My store is next door to II. s house. then
4 heard Mrs. Harrington say, Mr.. Harrington, lei
him alone; let him alone, Mr. Harrington" Then
heard scufle upIn the room; then noise like n
choking, here the witness, 10 show what this sound
was initiated the bohing of sheep i then a cry of
Murder murder" then a noise like some one tum-
bling down stairs then lot Of men came running
over TO Mr.. Adsmss and said, Let's 20 up - then
| they stopped; they were about rushing into the
house when they stopped. Saw Froehlich come
| out running no hat on, and his hair flying about;
he ran pretty fast short distance, and then walked
TO the navy-y gate. He did not say word.
4 Tbe If mn WA in he
not say much about his appearance. Shortly
afterwards, Finnegan came out the boy came out
first then Froehlich, then FInnegsn and Mrs Bar
Dor; then Harrington came out, with his big stick
with which he walks he seemed to be angry, and
in aspect seemed to be agitatcd; he was talking 10
some Of us but don't know what he said Froeh-
lch went from the nsvy-yard TO ElIis's. guessed
he went there. | went there, and took him his
| cap. He was lying there like dying man, on a
sofs-shrt torn, and his breast bruised all the way
down. The brusc was large my hand. Il
looked like 1t had been jammed. He kept com
planning Of his side held his hand TO IL asked for
a drink Of water did not see any blood. He
wore a silk stock, and its gathers were pulled
out. He covered the bruise on his breast. |
asked him II he would have a doctori He said
"No; take me to Cops saloon to take warm
bath II will make me feel more better" He asked
me TO bring him hack and to get him his hat He
then looked better When he got 10 helped him
/
hack. Did not fall, but thought he would took
him TO Copps gave me ten dollars TO pey Har-
rington. While he writing a note TO Harrng-
ton, put his hand to his side several times | think
it was sbou, O'Clock when went to Copp's He
told me to call for him about one O'Clock This
was on Thursday, May "a. The assault was
about half-past seven. | have known FroehIch
about two years, and never any Indications OF
insanity he has been in my many tunes.
! He was sound in his mind as | am.
In the cross-exsmipation the witness repeated ali
his former testimony, except that Harrington stated
that Froehich had been making some improper offers
TO the females Of his family and he wanted TO get
clear Of him. Did not believe Froehlich had the
courage to insult woman. Witness continued
My opinion is, that Harrington ofraid that
FrochIich would marry the girl, and he would lose
her services.
Mr.. CaTmis was called, but his evidence was
unimportsnt-
Mr.. Harold testified, that on the day in question
he saw several persons running to Harrington's,
and he went there also saw Froehlich come out
running, very pale, and apparently much frightened.