Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-11-28
BIRCH nTKoRC CASE

LAEAALN Lib w o.
The Court met at OK O'Clock; counsel for defence
waived the point raised last night, and expressed
a willingness to admit alleged confessions, and
leave proof Of the manner in which was obtain
ed to thejury the papers then read first In Bureh's
hand writing, as follows:
In presence of Almighty God the Great Crea-
tor, Judge of all men, whit will save in Heaven
with everlasting salvation, or plunge forever in
He'll my soul according TO the suficiency Of her
grace, and as the terms Of my life shall be, / now
sOlemnly declare and swear under threatened
penalty eternal damnation should declare false
ly and utter q lie, that my child Harriet Corning
Burch is the child and offspring of Isaac H
Burch, and l further solemnly swear that the first
criminal conversation and act Of adultery l ever
had or committed with David Stuart, was com
United on the 18th day of October, 1851, at the
time Of said act Of adultery. Twas to my certain
knowledge pregnant with said Harriet Corning
Burch, and had been so for near two months pri-
or to the time Of such act of adultery. I further
swear that said David Stuart committed act Of
adultery by having Illicit connection with me at
various times; think seven times, all Of which
acts were performed from the 18th day Of Octo-
Der, when they first began up to and after birth
Of Harriet, which was on the Path day Of May,
1858. ] further swear that Isaac Burch has been
the bearer Of cutie 3 MUNGER of improper letters
between David Stuart and myself surreptitiOusly
sent, and believe his agency between said Stu
art and myself has greatly aided said Stuart in
causing my seduction and ruin.
(Signed) MARY W. BURCH-
Witness, Fannie Burch and J. r. Valentine.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this nth.
j. R. VALENTINE,
Notary Public.
Second paper, January 18th, Is6O.-In justice to
my household and children L make the following
statement. From the early part Of the year 1851,
1sbecame acquainted with David Stuart; saw him
occasionally previous to August in same year;
from thattime to August he was unceasing in
his determination snd attempt to ruin me, / re-
sisted him, God In heaven knows, and for nearly
three months, and after so long repelling his ad-
--.a~u 7 - - La A.amw -
quered me, and on the 14thday Of October, ! fell
q victim to his damnably seductive art, and on
that day had criminal connection with him and
God forgive me. This was repeated at different
times by six or seven acts of adultery during the
month Of November and until the 24th Of Dec
This intimacy then ceased, and lsaw Stuart sell
dom He called two or three times after my
brothers death in February 1858, but there was
no further criminal intercourse between rs. He
was not in the house from hat time until after
my return from East in Sept. 1859, when he call
ed once OF twice as other gentlemen did. About
the last Of Oct 1889, during my husbands absence
he called, saying your husband will be away to
night, / amcoming here after all have retired, 1
said no, Mr. Stuart I can never do that in the
world; he urged 1t and I refused, he then insisted
upon again accomplishing his hellish designs
which I utterly refused but without effect for he
threw me upon the lounge and insisted. l was
frightened and told him that could never con
sent to such q thing again, but alas I was in his
power, 1 EtrOTe with him and Wept bitterly, and
in order to have him 10 ceease i told him
that he might Visit me that same night
ae said then. when an i quiet leave the seufter
open in your room, and come down 70 the front
door. which you must not fasten" This l prom
fsed from fear. he did not, however, get in. 4
fastened the door, shut the blinds and went TO
bed. Stuart did not then, or any other night,
visit me. I should think about the 10Th Of No
yember, while my husband was at a meeting Of
q Historical Society at W. Fl. Browns, Stuart
was here and at that time made advances to me,
which l repealed altogether. / was i'll at the
time.
This is the extent Of my whole acquaintance
vile man. May God forgive me all the acts 1
have committed, for I dc most humbly and sin
osrsly repent ne Of them.