The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1857-06-17
TRIAL OF JAMES HENDERSON
FOR THE MURDER OF
J JACOB MY ERS.

[ riDy tue time tue sHOuF arrived IOf the
trial in this case, the court house was filled
with spectators The prisoner when
brought into court manifested but little
|eXcitement He is above the ordinary
size, weighing perhaps us orlS0 pounds.
His hair is light, and his features rather
heavy His blue eyes are quick in their
movement. and penetrating, exhibiting
some degree of intelligence. HIS COM
plexion appeared fair, having probably.
been considerably bleacl,ed by his con-
fnement. His general appearance and
were not such as to create
prejudice at first sight. .ai
The Attorneys for the State were VIM.
P. Richardson. Esq Prosecuting Attor
ney, and Edward Archbold. Esq For
the defendant were VIM. F Hunter, j ohm
Sinclair, and b. S. Cowen, Esqrs.
The 36 jurors were called at about
eleven, and by half past two O'Clock p. M.
the jury was selected and sworn Their
'names are as follows Arthur GRAY, Solo
mon Hubbs, Stephen Pancoast, Johnston
L. Joues, William Milligan, Benz r.
briggs, David Sampson, Thomas Wood,
Francis: Allen, Jacob Vernon, Isaac
Mitchell and John Beardmore.
The witnesses being sworn, the indict-
ment was read, to which the prisoner
pleaded not guilty. Thent followed the
evidence for the State.
JAMES MYERs.-Was at James Shocks
lin Monroe county, Ohio, on the 18th of
February, and. saw Jacob Myers, the de-
ceased Found the deceased on the iloor,
dead. The time was about % minutes
after O'Clock in the morning, Deceased
was lying on his face, with one leg bent
up. Saw that his neck was cut on the
left side. Don't know the extent OF the
cut. Oae haud of deceased was blooly
up to the wrist Think it was his right
hand Didn't see prisoner that morning
Saw him same day about noon, in James
Shocks house, sitting on the he'd, Re
cognise prisoner at the bar as James
Henderson. Prisoner said a. good deal
about death, on that day, in light way.
Requested the girls not to get married
till he got back from Woodsfield Said
he would be back in two weeks and dance
at their weddings. Said it might be pos
sible he would have to learn trade for
what he had done, and if he had, he would
prefer shoc-making. Witness don't think
he heard prisoner say anything further
that day about the crime with which he is
charged
When coming to Woodsfeld, after left
Squire Irwins and had got this side Of
Bradfeld's, prisoner said he wanted to
speak to witness, but was afraid he would
take his crutch and knock his prisoners
brains out Witness said he would no,
do that, speak on. Clutter gave him q
/ dram, and he asked witness if he thought
they wonld let his wife come up and stay
with him in jail. Said witness would dc
wrong If he did not take Shook and wife
| up. Witness remarked that it was a baG
scrape they were well acquainted anc
had long been together; .that they shoulc
not have done what they did. Prisone
said "if Pm to be hung I'll write m,
confession-all murderers write their con
fessions. Said witness would do wrong
if he did not take up Shook and wife
Shocks wife told them to fight and they't
get up and show fair play
| Felt the body when he (witness) frs
saw it. 1t was cold, but don't know tha
lii was stiff. The deceased was his (wit
ness0 brother, -,
il Cross -E1anai,aed.- see prison
{ Eer at Shocks when he first went there
Asked where prisoner was, and was toll
that he was lying back in the house
drunk. Witness went to Esquire Irwin
to get him to come to the house. Whel
he returned Susan Shook, Mrs. Shook
Il Elizabeth Shook, and Shocks daughter
!, or his wife's daughter were there. Th
men there were John Anderson and Jane
Shook. Witness came to Woodsfel'
with the officers who brought prisoner.
] JAMES SHooK.--Saw prisoner the even
4 ing before the fatal afiray at witness house
! Ia little before sundown. Saw prisone
and deceased at same place about
3 o'clock. They remained about an hou
! and hall, and then went away together
! Prisoner asked deceased to so up an
| stay all night with him. He started an
2 then called .Jake, will yon go?" and dc
: ceased went. About Q O'Clock at nigl
S theyscame back Prisoner came in frs
j Heard prisoner and deceased talking.
! was on the morning of the 18th of Eel
4 ruarys Prisoner asked if he might com
/ in; told him he might. Boy got up an
!, tried to kindles the fire. Deceased ha
r not yet came in Deceased damned pri
foner to come and go on. Prisoner r.
s. piled Jake I'm little too cute for yoi
It l am not going any further. If you jun
IS on me now / have witnesses" Prison
is said deceased wanted to whip him befo
d they left (prisoner's) house, and that
V, wanted prisoner to go with, him to Cat
n arine Knights. Prisoner said he to
e deceased he. would go with him, but no
is said I'll go no further with yeu.' d
el ceased came in talked good def
Stand swore very much. A small FIRE W,
~ LIGHTED SO that witness could see ms