New-York daily tribune., 1859-12-28
TRIAL OF THE REV. JACOB S. HARDEN
FOR MURDER.
srsponssue, ofrh. N.Y. rrieans.

BELViDERE, y. ~. Dec. - toOS.
The trial Of the Rev. Jseob S Harden forthe murder
Of his Wife, Han nah Louisa, At Andstsontown, in
March sst sst by poisOn commenc-s in this place to-
cay IL Will he rsco1ected hat thus trial sdjo1rue4
um September last until this tern, owing 20 the sick
re Of Dr. Jsmes r. Chiffon OF your city, toe chemist
who msde analysis of the contents OF the stomach
aid other organs Of the deceased Mrs. Harden. viii
refresh ibe recollection Of your readers with brief
history Of the case.
TIE prisoner was born in The town Of Blars-own, in
this county IN April, 1897, and s not quite twenty
three years old. His father, John Harden is very
reel ectsble farmer, ard member of the Methodist
church Jacob resided at home under the control of
his PARENTS until bis removal to Andersontown. His
character up TO this period beyond reproaeh. He
was always vain of hs personal appearance, and sup
posed natural gifts in consequence Of which his soci
civ was rot courted IN the neighborhool of his home
When be was quite Young he joined the Methodist
church, ard began preach at the age Of nineteen.
When his wife sd he had been officiating for time
as pastor oi - church AndersontowD, but not
regularly ame-ed by the Conference. His education
is Hmits4 b what he acquired from the Common
Schools of the country but be possesses considerable
natural ability and is very fluent and energetic
speskrr. Hi wife the daughter of neighbor Of
together ss schoolmates She possessed some beauty
YVES modest and reserved in disposition, and greatly
beloved by all who knew her.
few yeaIs before Jacob began 10 preach 1t Ander.
sontowp biz wifes father, Presbyterian, removed
with his family from Blairstown 20 that town. Hs
daughter coon after joined The Methodist Church.
Jacob renewed his acquaintance with her, and on the
2sth October, 1858, they were married
Jacob took his Young vile TO his fathers house,
where she remained weeks; then to her fathers
where she remained for considerable time
longer; and finally, at the request Of her father,
took her 10 the place where he was board
ing. Shortly before his marriage, or soOu after,
rumor snys Jacob became enamored of beautiful
yourg lady by the pame of Saith. THIS matter COM
ing 10 the knowledge Of his wife soon after hts re-
novsl to his boardng-house, caused great deal OF
domestic unhappiness About the LIT Of March last hs
wife was taken suddenly i'll, and on the 9Th she died
with every evidence of arsenieal polso ing. His
wife's health up u this time had been re-
markably good. Jacobs strange conduct dur
ing her illness, and his anxiety to have her
buried hastily caused him TO be suspected, and
ners inquest was held The inquest private, sndts
proceedings are lodged with the AuorDey-ieneral OF
this State but enough has leaked ont 10 induce the
nnhlc 10 form and express opinions decidedly un1vor
bic 10 the prisoner. Jacob WAS examined as a witness
at the inquest and testified that bis wife had told him
that she had taken poisoD, and made him promise
reveal the fact unless was necessary To save
his own life. The inquest was continued several days,
and resulted in a verdict that Jacob had poisoned his
wife with arsenic
Harden having disposed ofbis property, disappeared
DE day before the verdict WAS rendered tie was
tra,ec to Ellzshethtown New YORK Philadelphia, and
heard from IN the nortl part Of the State Of New
York and then all trsce of him was lOst COpie' OF
daaurr rvot,pe likeness left behind him were taken aud
distributed very extensively together with the procls
uaiion Of the Governor of New-Jersey, offering $500
reward for li- apprehension. In April last he was
recognized ty Of one Of those bkeDesses at Fair
mount near Wheeling Va, where he was learning the
daQueT1eotyre business uDder the name Of Austin.
A, 10 hie buf m bQi
keneFs he coneseed he was the man, but ut that time
and since has protested his inDocenoe of the crime
charged against him. He was then brought 70 this
town. which il the county seat OF Warren County, and
lodged in jail.
Al the &,ril Term of the Court, be was arraigned
On an indictment Of four eounts charging him with sd
ministering poison bis wife the lst Of March last
and OH other days upto the 9Th. A motion TO quash
the indictment was then made and argued and over
ruled. III prisoner pleaded Not Guilty and the trial
was down fer September Term last but, owing TO
H. absenee Of DIR. Chiffon of New-York, a material
win es tor the State il was adjourned until this time
Harden's conduct in iai hae been unexceptiousble.
His relatives vitt HIN frequently, and he spends most
Of bic tine IN singing, reading, and praying. lie is an
excellent singer.
He il a pIeasant.looking young man, under the me.
dum hight thick ret, and plump, but we'll formed,
with dark eyes black bair and full, round face. In
bis manner he is courteous and genilemanly, has u
Winning voice. and IL well calculated TO make favor
able impression. He feels sure OF An acqnital:
The town ir ful Of people aud nothing else !, talked
of but the trial Of Harden. Over hundred wit
nssses have been summoned aud the impression Is the
trial will last two weeks AT isaet.
The Sta il repress u,ed by the Hon. William L.
DAYTON, Attorney General Of New-Jer-ey aud Joseph
Vhei esq. Prosecutor of the Pleas for this eonniy.
Hr. Day Ton is n man Of commanding presence and
ability As LAWYER aud orator, he il second TO no
ore Ia our State. NJ. Viet il promising young law
yer, rssid Washington, D this county. His lsbors
Ia this cate have been neesant aud ardnous since
the Corners IDquest. The prisoner is defended by
.Ielsl q sbipnan, of this place, and the Hon Benz
Williamson, ex-Cbanceor of New.Jersey, q man in
every rtspect the equal Of Mr.. Dayton. IL ia seldom
that two such men as DaytoD and Williamson meet in
the legal forums Of State. rich intellectual treat
il pected by this community when they speak IN
th cafe.
December H.-Cour, orened this morning at III
O'eock. Ihe Court filled 20 its utmost capacity
numbsr OF ladies seated in the gallery. Grand
jury Has im,aDnelsd for the term. number Of mo.
tors v ere tLen made and Disposed OF by the judge.
Atl2 O'Clock tie Court asked the Prosecuting Attorney
if he was ready 20 move the indictment agaibst Hsr-
den his sft. Mr.. Wet replied that he thought
he would he ready tomorrow morning. The tse will
therefore stand over until the morning.
The Attorney General " absent at Washington City,
engaged IN a csase IN the Supreme COur. Joseph 4.
Rai0oph, ex-J Judge Of supreme Court, supplies
hie place.