Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1849-06-22
IuittaI OF Mrs. Howard.

AcquittaI Of Mrs. Howard.
CINCINNATI, Monday, May 7.
The jury in the case of Mrs. Howard, tried
for the murder Of a mistress Of her husband,-
rendered verdict Of acquiual
When the verdict was read in n-Court, the
thousands assembled TO hear this unfortunate
woman's fate, cheered both the jury aud the Ia.
dy.
Usually, as a journalist, we dismiss such mat
Iers in the bnefesI way. A full and faithful his.
tory Of all personal events which daily uanspire
around US, would be 4 dismal record of the
crimes and calamties Of our race, and the few
er Of such events we can note consistently with
our duty, and the briefer the tale is told, the bet
ter for that portion of mankind whose moral
sensibilities are painfully aud continually shock
ed at such recitaIS.
But this case demands more than a passing
notice. We are indebted to a friend and rea-
live of Mrs. Howard, one who has known her
from her earliest infancy, and who has just re.
turned from attending her trial, for the follow.
ing interesting details of this affair.
Mrs. H. was married about eight years ago at
the early age of sixteen. Young, prepossess.
ing in her appearance, intelligent and handsome,
she commanded the admiration Of all who knew
her. unfortunately, her husband proved to be
what is politely termed a "sporIng gentleman -
more properly called a "black leg" or proies.
sional gambler. After marriage, he soon NOV
ed to Cincinnati where he carried on his nelari.
Gus profession, and accumulated considerable
properly. For some time, his business was
kept a seciet from his wife. He used 10 take
trips up and down the OHIO river, claiming to be
engaged in some legitimate trade, His wife soon
acquired many ocquaintances and went in the
first circles. Her demeanor was always that ol
lady, and her intelligence was always a pass.
port 10 consideration and favor.
Howard got into some difficulty by which he
was induced to have certain real estate 10 the
city decided directly to his wife. in order to hold
it against some unexpected Judgment or adverse
claim. Here arose the first difficulty between
Mrs. Howard and her husband. By this time
she had become acquainted with his mode of
wing. She had borne him two children, one 4
boy of near two years, the other daughter o.
only few weeks. Howard came home one
4 day, much excited. He had been drinking and
d in all probability, gambling. His wife was then
I confined TO her bed with her second child. He
1 demanded the deed which short time before
had been made to her and put in her possession
for safe keeping. She did not utterly refuse to
\ lea him have it, but expostulaled with him, and
hoped he would let her retain it for the benefit
Of herself and her children. This enraged
. Howard. She told him where he could find the
deed. He procured it, came into her room and
burned it in her presence. Here was the end o
peace in that family.
! Soon after they agreed to separate, Howard
allowing her TO have the children, gave her $500
and his note for five hundred more for her main
tainance. Mrs, Fl. came 10 Cleveland with hel
two chiIdred, rented The Iiule cottage on Banl
street, next 10 Bosworlh's brick boarding house
where she lived for time and kept few boar
ders. Her troubles. however, weighed dowI
her spirits. She seemed solemn and abstract
ed.
I Afer remaining about four months, she re
turned TO Cincinnati at Howard's request, and il
accordance, we believe, with her own wish al
SO, determined TO live with her husband for tht
sake Of her children, at whatever cost of hap
piness to herself The sef-adaptng disposition
of woman, the uncump planning trust with which
she submits 10 reVerses of fortune and the hope
and cheeruness with which she strives TO in
spire others, while her own heart may be desc
late, are high and affecting attributes which be
long only TO her. She is essentially the SAM
in the cottage and the palace, and in all thng'
that constitute her highest excellence and man
chief happiness.
But the night after her return, at late hour
her husband came into her room drunk, and lit
orally pummelled her to jam. He had beer
10 what is there called check apron ball, thu
scene of lewd women, blackIegs and brawls.-
So disguised was she at his appearance, ant
learning the utter degradation 10 which his bat
habits had led him, that she resolved to suffe
death rather than live with him. He procured
a boarding place for her and the children, ant
for some months paid their expenses regularly
every Saturday night. One day while the fam
lily were at dinner and the children were left il
the care oil nurse in the kitchen, Howard stol
, in. took the children, carried them to a carriag
standing in the street which he had provided 70
that purpose, and drove them away twenty -fou
miles to an obscure place in Clarenont county
Kentucky.
No language can describe the anguish Of tn
, young mother when she found her children, tn
only objects for which she cared to live, thu
snaIched from her. The witnesses in Cour
who attempted to describe her appearance to tn
; jury, were SO affected as 10 choke down in tn
uuerance of their testimony, and the Who'll
Court was frequently melted TO tears. One wi
ness testified that he saw her wandering throug
the streets, crying aloud for her children, he
, cress in dshabiIIe, her hair dangling about he
shoulders, with about TWO hundred boys follow
! ing after her, supposing she was some escape
e lunatic. She asked witness to help her, to te
a her where her children were. Witness advise
: her to go home, calm herself, and next day h
would 60 with her to find her children. Sh
left, but appeared next morning, all tatters an
mud, as if she had travelled all night in scare
of her loved ones. Witness procured teal
2 and driver, sent her where he supposed the chi
0 dren were, as he was acquainted with the partie
and knew that Howard had some friends in Ker