Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-09-15
CASE OF WISE, FOR THE MURDER OF
o.. 80 HART.


above case is in course of trial, furnishes tn
following statement made by Wise to tn
Court, through his COUNSEL. I
think it was in the summer of 1S4S tha
first became acquainted with Thomas B
Hart in the city of St. Louis. was ther
living in said city with my family. hat
occasionally seen said Hart before any init
macy grew up between us. The way of on
intimacy was this: Hart was in the habit OF
visiting some nieees Of my wiIe's slep-fath-
er; they (,he girls) in visiting my family,
brought Hart with them, and so the acquain-
tance and friendship (as thonghl of Hart
with my family began. During last spring,
while myself and wife were boarding in ST.
Louis, at place with which we were not
entirely satisfied, Hart knowing that fact
came to me, professed 10 be a friend, and
asked me TO dine with him at Mrs Mudge's
his boarding house. did so OH his invita-
non more than once. | was pleased with
the table, ana he set to pursuading me TO
bring my wife and board at Mrs. Mudge's.
believed that Hart was acting from motives
oil Kindness to us, and never having the
slightest suspicion that Hart had base de-
| slSn upon my wife, or would do me or her
the least injury, even II in his power, and
not thinking OF any such thing at all, about
the 3oth Of May last myself and wife took
rooms at Mrs. Mudge's After BOARDING
there about three weeks, determined, in
the month OF June, aud owing 10 the cholera
then prevailing in the city, to take my wife,
we having no children living, TO the country,
to my brolher's in the county of Marion; and
in the latter part of June accordingly we
went to my brother's
After remaining some week or ten days.
returned 10 the city, and resumed my busi-
ness as clerk in the post office, leaving my
wife with my brothers. family in Marion
met Hart on my return, and he seemed to
be very friendly, and thought of nothing to
the contrary; believed he was true and
sincere friend. Hart left St. Louis about the
3lst of July, and when leaving informed me
he was going TO Carrolon, Illinois, to remain
a week or two and being a clerk in the
post Office, he requested me TO send his let
iers and Papers 10 that place. Hart, before
he LETT, had as | understood, difficulty
with some o. the hoanlers, aud had also Of
tended the landIaIy while was absent from
the boarding house They were speaking
harshly Of him, and made some remarks in
cXcnse Tor his conduct. \ lady remarked in
reply 10 me, that was taking the part of a
man did no, know-lhat Hart would rnin
me or my wife, if he conId. | replied that
had too much confidence in my wife TO en-
terrain any fears on that subject The lady
then said that did not know all that was
going on; that when | was al the office,
Hart spent the most OF his time with my
wife, and that would find out some dav
that Hart was my enemy | replied that
could not entertain the idea for moment,
nor did believe that Hart would do me an
injury if he could. On the day after Hart
left town, and while the mail was making
up, discovered a letter addressed TO "Miss
H. Sapho, Palmyra, Mo" The singularity
of the name, having lived there several years
and been often there since, and having known
of no such person and believing that /
knew the hadwriiing, and remembering the
remarks of the lady, dreadful suspicion
took possession OF me. .... ..s........ ....
| then remembered of Hart receiving a
letter, two or three days before, from Pal
myra, and near which place my wife had
been left. became very much excited 10
know more, and determined 10 open the let
ter. ! did so. 1t disclosed 10 me the fact
of an actual correspondence between Har,
aud my wife, and that Hart, instead of 60
ing 10 Carrolon, had gone TO Quincy, Ill.,
My feelings on reading this letter were such
as no human language can describe lef:
the Office and wandered about the city for
some time, then went 10 my boarding house,
paid my board, and called to see female
relative Of my wife, 10 whom | named the
subject of my distress, She reminded me
that | had no evidence that my wife had
written to Hart, though she was greatly ex-
cited and mortified at what told her; did
not show her the letter of Hart. This letter
was dated July 90, and will be produced in
evidence next resolved TO 90 TO Marisn
county, and procure the balance of the cor
respondence, and send my vile home to her
relations. Before left wroie note to the
post master at ST. Louis, saying iha, ciropm-
stances called me from the city for i few
days, when would return and explain the
reason About the time for the departure of
boat up the Mississippi, l,went on board the
Kate Ke~ney bound ior Marion city when
within short distance from Palmyra the
hack driver said TO me, 'John, who was that
man who came up yesterday; a gentleman
from St. Louis that had a letter for your
wife," asked him what sort of man he
wasa He replied shat he was a large man
with beard or whiskers, or something Of that
Sort told him supposed it was some ac-
quaintance from ST, Louis but my feelings
by no means were as indifferent as my Ian