The Lambertville press., 1860-05-09
THE TRIAL OF
Rev. JACOB s. HARDEN,
FOR qKR
NJ q r DER OF HIS WIFE

The theory of the defence 10 that OF
suicide by the unfortunate wife Of the
prisoner at the bar. To substantiate
this they produce the statement of the
prisoner himself, and attempt to show
hereditary tendency to suicide in her
family. The allegation Of the defend
ant was not made until the fourth day
after her death, and not until he was
hard driven by suspicion. The attempt
to prove hereditary tendency to sui
eide eliminated in the seif-destrnction
of an uncle who was deranged by an
accident, aud the almost ridiculous at
tempt Of drunken man to avoid the
consequences of legal process. No
act OF her whole life was consistent
with this theory.
The evidence all goes TO show that
Harden voluntarily cultivated the ac-
quaintance, sought the intimacy, and
won the affections of the young lady.
Having accomplished this purpose
be evidently does not want TO marry
her; he changes his tactics, neglects
bis afianced bride and pays atteutions
to other ladies /; this fills the commune
ty with rumors which seriously affect
his interests and prospects as proba-
tionary preacher Of the Methodist
church; Conferences is about to sit
when his conduct will be strictly scruti.
nized these rurnors must be met and
his reputation cleared up; to accom-
plish this purpose, he shows willing
ness to resort to any means that will
secure his own interests he goes to
visit the Dorland family and by fair
promises, and by giving written OBJ
legation to marry the girl within one
year, ne obtains q release from all past
causes ofcomplaint and certificate
from her father that all difficulties were
settled this contract he never design
ed to fulfill; he at once commences
using the release and certificate for the
purpose for. which they were obtained
even before reaching his home after
obtaining them we find him draw up
eside the road, reading the papers to
o person whom he had casually met
he follows up this course of conduct
by reading the papers at various places
IN order to counteract the rumors in
the community, that he was engaged
to marry Miss Dorland and had been
violating his VOW.
When it became whispered in the
community that he had given writ
ten contract at the same time that he
obtained the release, he denied in the
most positive terms having ever done
so. In one instance, in the presence
OF two members Of his church, he bias
phemously called upon God to witness
that he had never executed the oblga-
tion. His language and conduct to-
ward her III the mean time was design
ed to intimidate 9 weak girl, and induce
her TO make voluntary surrender of
the contract. He complained ofIrou-
bic, poverty and ruined prospects he
plainly exhibited to her an-utteE ab-
sence of affection; that she and her
friends were endeavoring to compel
him into the fulillmeut OF promise
contrary to his interests, and the feel
ings OF his heart ; that they were pur-
suing her with vindictive feelings; he
told her that such mercy as she
meted out to him she might expect all
her life. F" He told in the community
that he would :" lie in Jail until the pis-
mlres carried him out Of the key-hole
before he would marry her"
Having failed in this purpose, he
alters his C turse he resolves to marry
her, and did marry her; there, gentle
men, is his conduct consistent with q
married man !? No instead of mis- send.
ing for her to administer his wants
when he writes to her he is sick, he
says stay away. Harden knew that
Ramsey was going away he knew
that he would have full control of his
household affairs as soon as Ramsey
left hume Harden made arrangements
TO take life, and Immediately concern
ed himself about rats.
Why did he not ask Mr.. Woodruff
when he was sent to the store whether
he was instructed to bring other urli-
cles as well as arsenic Why the sim
pie reason is he had no interest in any
other article he certainly contemplat-
ed her death atthe time. When she
was brought to the house of Mr.. Ram
sey, she was almost immediately taken
sick; and that sickness was vomiting,
and remember, gentlemen, that the
prisoner at the bar was the only one
that did administer medicine to her,
which medicine caused her death -
What was the prisoners object in
going to Easaon at the time his wife
was at Ransey's sick 2 Why, gentle.
men. We say he went there end did get
new supply Of arsenic 1t is true
he said when he went away that be
was going to Milford, but did he go !?
No. And do the defence show what
he went to EASton fOr2 No. IF he