The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-09-22
TINE HARDEN WIFE POISONING CASE.


Before Judges Murphy, Sharp, Moore and Davidson.
SPECIAL REPORT THE HERALD.
BKLvmKRE N. j., Sept co. 1850.
Tho trial OF Rev Jacob Harden for tho murder Of his
wife, Hannah Louisa Harden, ut Andersontown in March
last by the administration Of arsenlc in this
handsome little Village Of about so inhabitants to-day
may not be ass 70 refresh the recollection Of your
readers with brief history Of the
The prisoner Jacob Shower Harden, born in Blars
town. Warren county in April, 1887 and is consequently
in the twenty third year Of his age His father, John
Harden, well TO do farmer, highly respected citizen,
and an influential member Of the Methodist church. Up
TO the time Of his removal to Andersontown Jacob had
always lived at home under parental CONTROL and bore
excellent character He from boy considered 'sset
in his way, ana certain degree of vanity and selfsu
cheney Of manner prevented his society from being much
sought after At very early age joined the church of
which his father is member, and at nineteen years Of
age began preach At the time of the alleged poison
ing, he had been for time officiating
pastor Of the church at Andersontown, but
had not been regularly licensed by the Ne
thodist Conference. He probation Ia the Con
ference and expected his license at It's next session. His
education is limited to what may DO acquired from
common school in tho country; but no possessed
natural ability and was very fluent and energetic
speaker His unfortunate wife the daughter of Mr.
Samuel Dorand neghbor Of his father. She about
|
and schoomates. She is described rs handsome vir.
uous and amiable in disposition, and greatly beloved
by all her acQuantances.
year two before Mr.. Harden began 10 o!ciate as
pastor OF the Methodist church at Andersonown Mr. Dor
land, who Is Presbyterian, removed with his family to
that town from Blarstown. Miss Dorland soon after
joined the Methodist church, the young pastor OF which
renewed his acquaintance with her, length became
very intimate, and finally proposed marriage. There
widely conflicting statements III regard 10 the circum-
stances Of the marriage which, however, the evidence
the trial will probably clear up On the one hand it is
hot Iardo hrnal
but was prevented by the interference of the authorities
Of the church On the other hand this is totally denied
and the fact that Harden and his wife lived happily Oge
Their pointed to disproving the story At this time
Harden boarded at the house Of Mr. Ramsey Aliens
town. and there, is stated became quite intimate with
MISS smith, vvacious young lady, OF very attractive
personal appearance His acquaintance with this young
lady assigned the why he desired to break
his engagement with Miss Dorand. The marriage took
place October &c. 1855 Harden took his wife first his
fathers house, where she remained several weeks then
her fathers where she stayed considerable time
longer and finally at the request Of Mr. Dorand he took
her to Ramseys, where he was boarding Here, ii is
serted Mrs. Harden learned suspected that her hus
band was too well acquainted with Miss Smith and a
great deal OF domestic nielicty succeeded About the
LIST of March last Mrs Harden, whose health had always
been good, was taken suddenly ill., and the 9th of
March she died with every indication acute arsenical
poisoning Hardens strange conduct during her illness,
and coroners inquest held. The inquest held
in private and its proceedings have been published.
Its Investigations continued several days. and finally
suited in verdict to the effect that Mrs Hardens death
produced by arsenic administered by her husband.
Harden examined witness at the inquest, and
II alleged testified that his wife had told him she intend
ed TO take poison and made him promise reveal
the fact unless was necessary in order to his life
The day before the verdict rendered. Harden who
had in the meantime disposed Of most OF his property,
suddenly disappeared. He subsequently traced to
Elizabehtown, to New York city, to Philadelphia, and
finally heard from somewhere in the northern part Of the
State of New York. and there all trace of him lost
Copies of daguereotype likeness left behind him
taken and distributed all the United States together
with the proclamation Of the Governor of New Jersey
offering $500 reward for his apprehension. In April last
he was recognised by of of these kenesses at
Paramount little village near Wheeling Va, where he
was engaged tho dnguerreosype business under the
assumed name Of Austin. At FIRST he srcnuousiy
his identity, but when confronted with his likeness, he
confessed that he the but has since pro-
tested his innocence Of the crime charged against him.
He was forthwith brought to this village which is the
shire of Warren county and lodged in jail At the
last term Of the Court he was arragned indictment
Of four charging him with the administration Of
on the first Of March last and on other days up
the 9th. preliminary motion to quash was argued and
overrued the prisoner pleaded not guilty. and the trial
Hardens department in Jail has been unexceptionabe
His parents, brother and sister, visit him frequently and
he spends most Of his time in singing, praying and read
ing. He is an excellent singer.
The intense interest manifested in the trial. The
nothing else is talked Of or thought Of than the trial Of
Harden The counsel engaged in the for prose-
cuon Hon VIM T. Dayton, State Attorney General; Jo
scph Vet, Esq, District Attorney for Warren county, for
Defence ex Chancellor Benjamin Williamson, Jehie G.
Shpman, ESQ., and David A. Depue, Esq. The State has
already summoned seventy five witnesses and the defence
fifty three and the general opinion that the trial will
last two or three weeks.
THE TRIAL-A WITNESS ABSENT.
SErT 20-The court opened at eleven O'Clock this
ng-the little court room, capable OF holding five six
hundred persons being crowded to its utmost capacity.
dozen ladies had seats in the gallery, among whom
the mother and sister Of the deceased Mrs Hardenthe
latter very good looking young girl said to bear re-
markably close resemblance to her dead sister.
The Court opened in the usual manner and Grand
Jury empanneled for the term The Court Judge Whep
ey stated that he was not aware Of any business for the
Grand Jury having arisen since last term ard there
nothing requiring special charge The Court appointed
foreman Mr. Daniel Acksford and the Grand Jury
tired The petit jury then called, including extra
panel of forty eight summoned for this trial. Two jurors
being the age Of sixty five years excused.
Several motions and applications were heard, occupy
ing above an hour and meanwhile the crowd in the court
room grew more and more dense.
At half past twelve O'clock the preliminary business
being ended, Judge Whepley remarked that it too
late TO begin the trial this forenoon and cautionng jurors
to be punctual adjourned the court till two O'Clock NJ
The Court was opened at ten minutes past two O'Clock
heavy rain falling but the crowd within the court
possible, compact than in the forenoon.
Judge Whepey referring to the crowd remarked that
apparent that this room was entirely too small for
the transaction of the public business consistently with the
health Of BENCH bar and all in attendance He hoped the
Board of Chosen Freehoders would take notice Of the fact
and furnish enlarged accommodations for certainly the
county of Warren was able to afford ii.
DR.. James R. Chiffon was called, but did not respond.
Mr. vet stated that he had given Dr. Chiffon careful
directions about the trains from New York, and he had
promised to be here promptly but he afraid he had
taken the wrong train or had been left After waiting
some time he said in the absence OF so important wit
ness the State did not feel prepared on the case
this afternoon, and he would ask for posponemen till
tomorrow.
Mr. Dayton said if Dr. Chiffon ordinary witness
he would not hesitate to go but his important evidence
could not be supplied, and he ask for postpone
ment
Judge Whepley-The case will stand over then until
tomorrow morning at nine O'Clock.
The Court charged all the witnesses to be punctual in
their attendance tomorrow and advised the prosecution
to communicate with DR.. Chiffon at once by express or
telegraph.
Some other business transacted and the Court adj
jcurned until nine O'Clock to- morrow.
SECOND DAY.
BELvIDERE, N. j., Sept q, 1852
The trial of Harden will be commenced this week
There was no intelligence this morning from DIR. Chiffon,
of yuur city, the chemist whose evidence be
necessary establish the fact that any murder all has
been committed. The Court took up civil the
calendar, and the whole forenoon was occupied in
hearing a dry argument about re.opening a iudge