Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-11-09
ITEMS OF NEWS.


ExcITMe SCENE AT THE CouRT HoUsE.--A MAN
SHOT AT BY WoMAH.-For several days past, says
the Baltimore American of Wednesday, there has
been quite an excitement about the criminal
court room in consequence Of the progress ofthe
trial of man named Adolph Fischer for an alleged
outrage upon female residing on Fes point.
The testimony was generally of character unfit
for publication, but il was deemed insufficient by
the jury to warrant full verdict ofcondemnation.
The female attended the trial and carefully watch
ed its progress. Yesterday afternoon the trial was
concluded and the court sentenced the party to
pay fine of $50 and 10 be imprisoned in the Jail
for sixty days. Thus far everything went on
quietly and the condemned man was put into the
cell to await the adjournment of the court. 1t was
court house but no one entertained an idea that
she contemplated the crime of murder
After the adjournment of the court, as is usu-
ally done, the prisoner was manacled and con-
Quoted by the deputy warden Of the jail 10 the
wagon used TO convey prisoners to and from the
Jail. Apprised of the way they were taking, Mrs.
Tole, for such is her name, stationed herself at
the door Of the court house opening on Lexing-
ner When he reached the door she suddenly
drew from under her shawl single barrelled pis-
toll which she aimed at Fischer and fired. Instead
OF striking the object Of its aim the charge took
effect upon the sleeve OF the coat of Mr. Burke,
entirely tearing away the cuff and slightly burning
his hand. In an instant the greatest excitement
ensued Several persons took hold ofthe woman,
when her husband stepped forward and undertook
to rescue her. In the melee several persons were
thrown or knocked down, but she was ultimately
arrested by one of the deputy sheriffs and taken
into the Office of the clerk of the criminal court,
where she was kept until the excitement subsidized
and the crowd dispersed She was then put in
charge of deputy warden Bouldin and taken to
Jail by order Of sheriff Kinds, who procured hack
for her convenience 10 prevent the crowd from
and possibly attempting rescue.
The female in question is Of German birth, of
medium size, and rather prepossessing in appear
ance. She is apparently about twenty-five years
of age, with regular features, black eyes, and
dark hair Immediately after the attempt upon
Fischer, she seemed greatly agitated, and ex-
pressed regret that she had not succeeded in kill
ing him, whom she alleged had done her a foul
wrong. While sitting in the Office Of the clerk,
she came 10 a sense ofthe position she occupied
and wept bitterly Considerable sympathy was
elected for the female, and many remarked their
appreciation of her conduct. This, however, was
done in the moment of excitement, and il is prob
able that there are few who would sanction such
a violation Of the law as would place in the hands
of the aggrieved party the power OF infiictIng
summary punishment upon the offenders. She
was committed to prison on charge OF assault
with intent to kill, the penalty for which is long
in the penitentiary.
The LAST RAILROAD SLAUGHTER.-The Chicago
papers of Friday last furnish some few particulars
concerning the recent accident on the railroad
in addition to those already communicated by
"The train consisted of seven passenger coaches,
with a baggage-car, under the charge Of Mr..
Van Buskirk, conductor. At a little past one
o'clock, when four miles west of Missoka, the
train running at the usual average speed, about
twenty miles an hour the forward axle of the
broke, and the wheel flew OIL
This was distinctly seen by both engineer and
fireman. The engineer Immediately attempted TO
reverse, and whistle for the brakes, but was una
BILE 10 do SO before the truck had settled down,
and the locomotive was thereby thrown from the
track.
After noticing the flying wheel, he saw horse
upon or near the track, which was found killed on
the spot. He is confident, however, that the axle
broke before the train reached the horse, and that
the animal had no connection with the train being
thrown off the track. The appearance of the
horse also corroborates the engineers statement,
as he is not mangled as he would have been had
he been the occasion of the accident. This sec
ton of the railroad is securely fenced, but there
Is road crossing Just at the point where the cars
way. The engineer, VIM. G. Brown, escaped with
a few slight bruises, but his brother, the fireman,
had one leg broken below the knee.
As the forward end Of the locomotive came TO
the ground the force of the train pushed the back
end around throwing the engine off the track,
leaving il right side up and near the rail, standing
with the head toward the tail of the train. The
connection between the angles and the tender
broke, and the latter, with the baggage car, ran
off on the opposite side. The first passenger car
was driven on past the locomotive and fortunately
no one in il was injured. II would seem from
their relative positions that IL must have passed
over the engine. The second passenger car
mounted on the top Of the locomotive, where II
stopped and settling down upon il, the dome broke
through the floor, and the valve being opened or
broken the steam rushed into the car, enveloping
the unfortunate occupants. The car contained
about SO persons.
HORRIBLE CASE OF INFANTIcIDE. Philadel-
phia Inquirer of Sunday, gives the particulars of
the most horrible murder that has come to our
knowledge for some time. Il says:
"At late hour on Sunday evening, we were
informed by one OF the mayors police, that there
had been a most horrible murder commiited-the
perpetrator Of which had been arrested, and COM
mitted TO prison, but our informant refused TO
give any further nformaton-alleging that he
had been bound 10 secrecy. and would not give US
the details Of the terrible affair.
"The prisoners name is PAMELA Meyers. She
10 about twenty-five or twentythree years Of
age-good looking, but for years past has borne
rather an unenvisble reputation among the citi-
zens of Nicetown. She has resided for some time
past with Mr.. Thomas Rice, farmer on the
Nicetown Lane short distance above It's intersec-
ton with the Rising Sun Lane. She was taken
into custody on Sunday afternoon by two Of the
mayors special officers, who deserve great credit
for keeping the matter so profoundly secret, and
taken before the mayor, who after private hear
ing committed her to prison for a further investi-
CATION yesterday afternoon at three O'Clock.
AT that hour large corps Of the reporters