The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1851-06-21
Trial Of Abraham Taylor,
For the Murder of
THE GOSHEN FAMILY.

FeFolee-- uAflaSs
IN Cecil Couuty art.--Rsmorcd from Kent
Reported for The Cecil Wing.
TUESDAY, June Eth, 1851.
The trial commenced at hnlf past twelve
O'Clock. JUICES Chambers, Hopper aDd Eccle$-
ton on the Bench. MeSsrs. NiclcrS, ECaud,
Wickes ard GIaSon, counsel for the State and
Hon, J. A. Pearce and L. 4. Moore, Esq, for
the prisoner.
After eighteen percmptory challenges and
nineteen for cause, the following Jury was en-
pannslled:
Fredus 4liridge, Amos II. Evans,
Andrew Brckley, ,]ethro johnson,
Levi H. Evans, John kincai,
Thomas Cameron, James Foster,
James Burns, Joshua jackson,
Samuel Logan, lr., Ebrnc2er Croppcr.
Mr. EickerS stated the case on the part Of the
State, and Mr.. Pearce for the'deiencc. when the
testimony was proceeded with, We took very
fuIl notes fthc evidence, from which we shall
enieavor to extract the leading points, without
re ,url to whether they were drawn out by the
examinations in chief, or the cross examinations.
Dickinson Webster called. A fine intelligent
lad aged about 10 years. Lived at Cosdeh's in
February last: was there the night Of the mur-
der. Immediately before the first gun was fred
vas sitting at one side of the fire place AMI Cos
den at TIE other, AMI sister was putting child in
The cradle. First gun was fired through front
win low, struck Goshen and he fell. Witness
then started 10 run for doors at that instant man
broke through the front door--saw him point
his gun at Amanda; as witness ran he fired.
Tdcre were five guns fired, one which struck
CoSien, one as witness ran out Of back door and
three afterwards. The man who broke through
the door had dark complexion, black whiskers,
,t,lL , 81 ,ntT
den. As witness ran out saw large tall man
ut the paiiings, something shining in his hand,
which could not say was gun, I'a' seen no
man since which he could recognise as the man
rs saw that night.
Henry MITCHELL called. Lives at GEORGETOWN
\ Ruads--went to CoSden'S soon as he heard
II" alarm. There was no light. Somc Of the
party who went got light. One door OPEN
one Shut another broken. Went around the
house, Goshen heard them and ssil s.ior Gods
sake come in, we are murdered, no one in the
house but him; all dead When he heard the
voice OF witness, c. said 'sHrnry know YOU. -
He was under the bed; pulled him out, he said
he was stabbed III breast and iclt the wind come
come out when he breathed; said to take care of
his child, and not leave him till he died. Aman-
da, nc said, was near him dead and Miss Web
ster was up stairs. Witness asked if he had any
idea who did it--sad no-dd not know he had
an enemy; asked fit was Roberts. said no; asked
if he had any money, said but 2j cents. Said
the man was about his size, dark hair and whis-
kers; Coslcu>s weight about $50 lbs. Miss Cos
dsn was stabbed in both sides of breast and shot
through the body must have been down before
she was stabbed as the cuts had not bled. Saw
shot marks just above where she lay: saw other
shot marks in the wall G. did not say there
vas smoke in the room. He appeared perfectly
himself and talked well and distinctly--talked
with him one hour; he lived 3 hours. Said he
heard voices on the outside Of the house when
the man was inside. Mrs. c. was found near
the paings by broken place. Got to the
house about past might have been earlier
o. later. The Cross Roads two miles distant
night very dark, could not see a man ten PAGES
Fot!cr house on east Of house.
Dr.. Mghe.--Not present. BY agreement
Judge c. read from notes of DIR. HIS testimony al
CheStertown. "Gushes in Amanda large 70,
the kaife (hufe shewn) but such wound would
probably be made ny such knife"
Mr.. Ricnui read from an affidavit of DR.
Highe. Examined grounds and saw four tracks
three ahea and one behind as shewn by tread
ing sometimes in the others.
Doct. John T. Narsh.--Went to Cosden's mex
day: gauni him shot with two balls in right side
above the hip; the balls separated in his boi,
in or places---one very large. Mrs c wa
shot In the back to the right Of the spine--bai
passed ont through breast; not stabbed. Aman
da shot once AMI stabbed twice; one stab morta
shot mortal. Miss w. shot with4 slues, no
stabbed. {Kuife shewn-a common-spring
backed dirk knife, blade inches long, Sucl
kuifa would make such stabs.
L l,oin Crouch, Dep. shf: Of Kent Goa
hone on the night ofthe murder; ownsthe blacl
woman who was shot ami crippled. She cam'
home about pnst7 Lives : mile from Cos
den's. Woman was shot through the arm AM
IN the sile; she was pregnant an! could not run
fnSt; marks oftwo shot il the kitchen. Sun Sc
TINT night by almanac 90 minutes past 5. At
pat woman came; She had to cross fields
stalk ground and fences.
S'nheo Sho'oWas slaying ut Mrs. Hand
on Tuesday. Haai left for n. Jersey OH We'd
n:slar. Was nj Mrs. TI's on Wednesday night
ZONE one knocked At the door, got up and wen
out; fluni it was Taylor, who asked rthe Oh
folks were nh,1. Went down the roal wit,
him; askedrne what followed now. Said if
wo1l4 come to Cnllwcll he would give me som