Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-05-28
TRIAL OF MISS WHEELER.

1eAf1A VI inLOO w 1IIGLGA.
The trial of Miss Mary Ann Wheeler for killing
NJ. W. Lace, on the 14th of October last in the
street, at Milwaukee, was commenced on Monday
last. The trial appears to excite much interest
in the city. The Sentinel states the following in
relation to her:
Shortly after the opening Of the Court the de.
PENDANT was brought in, in custody of the Sheriff,
and seated by the side of her counsel. She was
accompanied by her father, Asa Wheeler, from
Wakeman, Huron Co., Ohio, her uncle, Daniel
Minor, from Hartland, Huron Co., Ohio, and
Miss Lucy M. Wheeler, her young sister, and Mr..
G. G. Garfield, in whose family she had resided
for four years previous to her coming to Wiscon-
sin.
The prisoner appears calm and self-possessed.
An air of subdued sadness rests upon her fea-
lures. Her general appearance betokens her to
termined will, Though she may be guilty of the
deed charged to her, and though no circum-
stances should be elected in the trial which would
60 far to lessen the enormity of the crime, still
we shall adhere to our opinion that she is far
from bearing the resemblance of that most degrad
ed personiication of vice, she deul, or to speak
in more refined language, ga fallen angel" If we
were to draw in our minds eye, a picture of
cruel, deliberate, unproyoked, wanton murderess,
we would portray countenance far different
from Miss Wheeler's. 1t is true saying, however,
that looks are often deceitful and it may be so in
this case. The result of the trial will show.
She came to Wisconsin in February, lS49, re-
sided at Ft. Atkinson, IN the family of Mr. Joseph
Bartholomew, until May of the same year. She
then came to Milwaukee, was in the employ of
Miss Blanchard, in the dress making and millin.
cry business, where she remained for some time
She afterwards went into the employ of Mrs.
Cleveland, on Wisconsin ST., and was about start
ing In the millinery business at No. 1876 East
Water ST., when she committed the act, for which
she is being tried. She is % years of age, was
born in Clarksfield, Huron county. Ohio, where
she has number of relatives.
The Milwaukee papers which come to hand
contain report of the past three days trial.
The story published in the Tribune last October
of the killing of Lace, in the street. with pistol
and the attendant circumstances, are substantial
ted in the testimony upon the side of Govern.
ment.
The counsel for the defence rest their case
upon plea ofmoral insanity, and from the open
ing summary of the points they hope to establish,
we extract the following:
The defence is q species of moral insanity.
The defendant was not deficient in intellect; she
could distinguish between right and wrong. He
claimed the right to investigate her conduct before
and after the commission of the act. This is the
only way to establish the fact which the defence
assume; had the right to insist upon his point;
should endeavor to show the conduct, acts and
WIlliuSo VI PriSoueT,Ootu prior anu subsequently
to the defence, to show the fact of moral insanity
At the time of the killing she was seized with a
sudden and uncomfortable impulse which over
whelmed her moral and intellectual nature; was
not sure of securing acan quittal, but he would
try.
The jury will be convinced by the cast of the
defendants character. 1t was sensitive, proud
and courageous-she never knew what fear was.
They must know the facts in order to appreciate
the effect of being driven from school. She was
stung. changed in her appearance and conduct,
capricious in temper, spent much time alone,
day and night in tears, was poor, even without
the necessary means for food and clothing, had
great pride, and was thus even more affected.
In her dwelling, her mind preyed upon itself.
She boarded at Mrs. Woodworth's, the same
house with Lace. The latter pretended friend
ship, and even something more-he talked Of
marriage. Mrs. Clevelend cautioned Miss Wheel
or against Lace; once asked at table if Lace had
divorce. He sad no, he should soon have one.
Lace took part in dancing school difficulty, in
favor of the prisoner. This strengthened her