The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-07-26


the victim ofkis Jealousy was only twonty-four
Trial Of John Day Tor the Murder Of his
Wife, at Washington, DC.
from the Washington Re public, July 30
The trial of John Day, for the murder of his
wife, Catharine Day, Is nov going on. The follow
ing is the testimony of the parents Of the murdered
George w. Frdley-I am the father of the de-
ceased, Mrs Day; she was married to Day on the
4th Of June, 1850; Day had been visiting my
daughter from eight to twelve months. PROBABLY
twelve months before his marriage; after the mar
riage they resided with me till the latter part of
January, 1851; they then left, and went on the
island to live at his mothers; after his marriage,
in my presence, he was generally calm towards
her; she returned from her residence on the island
some time in March; she came home, AM her pur-
pose was to remain there; i-treatment was the
alleged cause, though have no personal knowledge
of such i'll treatment; she came home by herself;
she went back again that night; she came in the
afternoon before three O'Clock; she went home that
night, and Day went with her; he came while she
was there, between eight and nine o'clock; he
came there hallooing and screaming in very dis
orderly way; l went out and spoke to him, aud
asked what he meant by such conduct; he ma ie
reply; he started off, as thought, to go round the
corner Of the square towards Thirteen and half
street; live on the north side o. street, between
Thirteenth and Thirteen and a half; thought
would go to the the atre for policeman to como
over and arrest Day; ran over there, but did not
find one; returned home, and found him thore,
trying to force the door; he had broken the window
and broken two palings of the fence, and held one
piece in his hand; he was threatening my family;
my daughter (Mrs. Day. was inside the house; |
don't recoleot what the threats were he threatened
to njure them if he got n these threats took plac,
when | was absent; did not hear them; my wife
was present at the time inside; no one was outside
but Day; my wife, Mrs. Day, my daughter Mary,
Miss Catherine b. Creamer, and Mr.. Dexter were
inside; had requested Mr.. Dexter to remain there
while went for the police found Mr.. Day at the
&AoI~I IL 1TL.
my family heard my voice the door was opened,
and they came out, and related what had taken
place; Mrs. Day came out amongst the rest, and
tried to pacify him. told her to 60 into the house
and let me manage him; | could not prevail on
her, and finally she got him pacifed, and he came
into the house with her; he remained some time
there, till about twelve o'clock; she then said he
wanted her to 60 home with him; her mother OBJ
jected at first, and he, in a commanding tone,
said she should; she appeared to be willing,
and they went about twelve o'clock; th, IL
all that occurred at that tine in my presence;
in about three weeks from that time, / think on
the Sth Of April, she next came to my house;
came home that day about O'Clock, and found her
at my house; Mrs. Day and her mother, accom-
panied by me, went to Days mothers to see Day,
and if separation was desired, to bring her things
away; il was after csndle-light when arrived
there; we found Day at home; her mother asked
Day if he wanted his wife to leave him! he -
she was Welcome TO 60, rs he intended to leave
city in a short time; then remarked to him
he had behaved on former occasion when she -
come home; be assured me he would never come
near my house again, and that he would give
security to that effect if | wished it, his mother
remarked that, if he ever did the like again, she
hoped i would put the law in force against him.
and that she would never own him, or would DIS
countenance him forever, or something to that
effect, If he did, thought then it was all arranged
fer her to come home, and We started to come
away; Twas down stairs part of the way, and in
front Of my daughter and wife with her band
room, and turned back saw Day moving in the
room rapidly towards the candle, and blow it out;
heard him say he would be dam ned If he did not
kill some Of them; his mother and sister, my wife,
and his wife in the when this took place;
/ cannot say to whom his remark directed
particularly screaming and uproar ensued in
the room; bis mother called loudly for her hus-
band (Mr. Wood to come up and bring light
Mr.. Wood did not come; think Days brother
brought the light up; when next saw Day his
mother had him round the waist; he had then got
to the door, in front Of the company In the room;
the door led down stairs; he had in his hand
large hand brush, and, as | thought, was in the
sci Of throwing IL at one Of those in the room; he
struck the door frame while in the act Of throwing,
and broke the brush in two; he kept trying to get
away from his mother, and kept up q great noise
and confusion; / requested his mother to release
him and not raise the neighborhood; she did short
ly after release him; he then cooled down pretty
soon, and became calm; after a little while we came
away, and he came with US over to my house, he
remained there but few minutes after We arrived,
and then left; few days after he commenced max
az the time passed; he came into the house few
times the last time be was in the house on
Sunday afternoon, the 4th Of May; he then went
up in the attic room Of the house; felt it to be
my duty to speak TO him calmly, and told him
that his visits could not be tolerated; the garrett
room was occupied by some of the children Of the
family; his wife did not occupy that room; | re- |
minded hun Of his promise when his wife came home
he answered that that would be the las. time he /
would intrude be shortly after that left the house;
Gid not see him again till three or four evenings
after; my daughter Mary came after me, and / !
went home; was standing at the corner below; |
when | reached home found him there; my wife
told me in his presence that he had been using very
bad language-cursing and going on; aud had said
be said that he did not think he had been talking
very loud; saw him again on the llth Of May,
the evening before the murder; came in in the
fore part OF the evening, and found him inside Of
the alley way, which used as passage, sitting
with his wife; he did not speak 20 me, nor 90 him.
went into the house; this was the last time saw
him TIL after the murder; was not home when she
was killed. got home about Eve minutes sfer;
found her alive when got home; she survived
about forty or fortyfve minutes.
Mrs. Sarah Ann Fridley-I am the mother Of
Mrs Day; cannot fix the da e when my daughter
left my house 20 live at his motbers IL wa about
six reeks after she left that she came homo again
tor good: about two weeks after she went house
keeping sbe came home this the first time; he
came .f.,r her and took her home; he kicked up a
fu,s ter az my house; she came about eleven
o'clock in the morning. The witness was much
overcome with emotion, and her examination
sus pended to enable her 20 compose herself After
n while she again put on the stand, and CONT.
mud ! lie came with her a. far tae corner Of
Thirteenth street: he did not come to he house
with her; about two o'clock he came; ] set out
, ne dinner for BIN, which ne ate and then went
away; he came back again at night, and they went
boae together; 10 about two weeks after this che
came there again; she wa alone; Day came there
at night, abe ut eight o'clock; he in liquor; he
the street carry ing in frt Mt Of the house,
abusing myself and family, singing all kinds Of
ugly songs he could think Of the songs were very
un6ecomirg ones; Mr. Fridiey went out and spoke
% him he stood very quiet on the curDstOne, aad
never answered him; Mr. 7. came in the house, and
We thought Day bad gone; looked through the
palirgs, and saw Day sitting down, looking through
BEN at me- said, Mr. frdley, there is john
Mr. Frdey went out 10 look for my sou, aud then
Bay came 10 the outside door, shot pistol. broke
couple Of palngs of the fence and came up TO the
d fe window. and BROKE the glass. my infant was
--.-l.- Lhn --ul.-. md I'll. |