Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-07-14
THE May HARRIS TRIAL.
TESTIMONY OF THE BROTHER OF THE
DECEASED.

After cur report closed yesterday the evil
dence in this case was continued as follows:
Rer. DR.. John c. Burroughs (brother of the de-
ceased), sworn.-Witness is a Clergyman. and
has been president OF the University of Chi
cago since 1858. The deceased was witness's
brother. The deceased resided Immediately
prior to coming to Washington at Chicago He
came to Chicago in the early spring of 1860.
Witness supposed he had seen the accused be-
fore, but could not identify her, not having
seen her features since ne had been in the court.
Ihe District Attorney here requested that the
accused might Lift her veil, and she raised it
slightly.
Witness was here handed the two anonymous
letters, and he stated that two ladies called on
whom introduced herself as Miss Harris, but
he could not identify the prisoner as the per-
son from the short glimpse at her features
Miss Harris introduced the other lady, the
name of whom he could not recollect or recog-
mise here present. Miss Harris&sked if wit
ness brother was in town. 1t was either on
the 10th day OF September. or within one or
two days after. Witness replied that his brother
was not In town, that he left for Washington
She then pDduced one or two letters, and
stated she hsd reason to believe that they, or
il. was writtn by his brother. Witness asked
il he mightsee it or them, and she handed it
orthem to Inn. and he read it or them. Wit.
ness recolletts the one of the Sth September, but
could not sly positively if there was another
Witness here perused the letter of the Sth. and
stated that he identified it by several express
sions and the general contents. Witness ex-
amined the letter of the 18th, and stated he re-
collected tlat also. Witness, after he read
them, he s,d to Miss Harriss that they were
not written by his brother; the handwriting is
not only not his but he could not counterfeit
such a handwriting as that Witness said,
"Miss Harris, you have known my brother a
good whih, and are acquainted with his hand
writing" Witness said further that at the
date of the first his brother was in Washington,
while the letter was drop letter. that he knew
it was so, and would swear to it, and gave her
the reason why he knew, having had corres-
pondence with him; witness knew when he
left Washington ana when he arrived at Chi
cago. He then turned and asked Miss Harris,
81 wish 10 know whether in the long time my
brother has been acquainted with you he has
ever mace any dishonOrable proposition to you
that justitfes you entertaining such suspicion
oft" She replied that he had not, and continued
with considerable feeling to say that he had
always been her truest and best friend, and
had never said word done an act which
was not in the highest honor--continuing that
she much regretted that she had the suspicion;
that it wonld never have entered her mind,
but it had been suggested by others and
she could not think who else had written the
letters. She then said neither the handwriting
and circumstances justified her suspicious.
She reiterated her regret that she had called on
this errand, and requested witness never to
mention the circumstance to his brother, on the
understanding that the subject should be then
dropped. He also asked if he had violated any
engagement to her, and she disclaimed any vi
olation of engagement; and as witness under
stood what she said, disclaimed the existence
long correspondence, and she produced one of
his letters, which she allowed witness to read.
Witness had not seen her from that time to the
resent Witness taught his brother to write:
had seen him write; wrote with him; pointed
ut his errors; he had kept books for witness
and corresponded with him. Witness exam
med the letters of September 8th and i2th, and
stated that they are not in the handwriting of
the deceased. Witness arrived in Chicago in
Septemhnr issa-on Friday morning, Septam-
brr 11th. 1t takes thirty-s hours from Wash.
ington to Chicago The deceased stopped at
different places in Chicago and left on the
evening OF the 18th, witness thinks at O'Clock.
NO inquiry was made on the 14th to witness as
to his brother. The deceased would have been
thirty-three or thirty -four years had he lived
this spring.
Assistant District Attorney Wilson said he
understood when the letters were offered that
such as the defense thought proper should be
read to the jury. He also understood that the
prosecution could look over them, and select
what they chose, TO be offered in evidence He
had asked Mr.. Bradley for them, and had been
refused. He desired to know if he could not
examine them under the eye of the Court or Of
the clerk.
Mr.. Bradley said he had given the gentleman
such of the letters as had been read before the
Court and jury, but he did not think Mr.. Will
son should be allowed to overlook all in the
bundle 1t was only such as had been read
that were in evidence.
The Court decided that the prosecution
could only make use Of such letters as had been
read in the hearing of the Court.
MIR. Bradley then said he should, in the
morning, ask the Court to allow them to re-
serve the cross-eXamination of the witness,
Rev. DR.. Burrough until all the witnesses for
the prosecution had been examined He said
This was n subject within the discretion of the
Court and had been frequently DONE
Judge Wylie said he would decide that point
upon the reopening OF the Court in the morn
ing.
Dr. Burroughs here desired to make an ex.
PLANTATION, and stated that on the occasion that
Miss Harris called upon him, he had said she
introduced herself. He recognized the intro
duction, but it was unnecessary, as he knew
who Miss Harris was, having. seen her before
once or twice.
The conrt then adjourned until 10 O'clock
this morning.