Daily national Republican., 1865-07-07
Trial of Miss Mary Harris
for the Murder of A. J.
Burroughs.
District Supreme Court criminal Term.
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE wYLIR PRESIDING.
THB PRoCERpISas TODAY

THB PRoCEBpISHs TODAY.
Tho Court convened at ten o'clock. Tho court
room was donsely packed and intensely warm.
All the Jurors being present, the Clerk OF tho
Court then read the indictment. Mss Mary Har-
ris came into court at quarter to eleven clock
attired In deep mourning, and was accompanied
by her counsel and three female friends.
District Attorney Darlington then opened tho
case for the Government. He addressed the
court and Jury In eloquent terms. lie remarked:
Let 1t be said to the eternal honor Of the Amcri-
can people, that a woman In distress would sx-
cite the sympathy OF our people from one end Of
our country to tho other But at the same time
he would enjoin upon tho jury that 1t was their
duty not to be carried away by LAeir sympathy
because the prisoner at the bar was one Of the
gentler sex.
The District Attorney then explained In detail
the law on the subject Of homicide, and tho diff
ference between murder and nanslaughtcr. The
District Attorney said he, Of course, had no per-
sOnal knowledge Of the prisoner at the bar, and
had no prejudice. He said "oh, how happy we
send this young lady hence to the home OF her
friends In the Far West, without guilt in her
hoart, or stain upon her character
The District Attorney said that the impression
this city with impunity. We know that this city
was the grand rendezvous for bad men and bad
women, butthe country should know that II this
woman deserved mercy, she would have mercy
shown In this Court Of Justice, and II guilty Of
the crime alleged against her, she would have
meted out to her the penalty OF the law.
He then went on In glowing language depicted
the entree Of the prisoner into the Treasury De-
partment on the day Of the memorable tragedy,
and closed his eloquent appeal to the jury by en-
Joining upon them the duty Of weighing well the
testimony that would be adduced In the course of
tho trial Mr.. Bradley, counsel for the defence,
here moved that the court take short recess, and
by order Of the court fifteen minutes were granted,
After the recess Mr.. Bradley gave succinCt
account OF the history Of the prisoner, and said
that he would prove by competent physicians
that after the marriage engagement was broken
OF with Burroughs that she was non compOs
mertis.
the one occupied by Burroughs, sworn; lie said
Burroughs was about ive feet ten inches Saw
the position Of the prisoners arm when she fired
the shot; Her arm as she fred was rigid. The
last shot was aimed at his hoad the first at tho
body. The person he saw had on u drab cloak,
a black hat, and a blue veil. After the second
shot was fired he saw her on the stairs.
Witness went to Mr.. McCulloch's room; told
him Of the murder. He took Mr. McCulloch
down stairs to where Burroughs was lying on
the mat. He was requested to look at the pris-
oner' but could not recognize her. Her manner
was collected as she went down stairs. She
walked coolly and deliberately down the hall
and stairs. The face was, when witness saw her,
without W. color She wore ours around the face
She lifted her veil when she discovered her mis-
take In the hall. He saw Mr.. Burroughs on tho
time. .-Er
lie continued to breathe for about 10 minutes.
He died at 23 or n minutes after 4 o clock. In
answer to q question by Mt. Bradley, he said
that he was somewhat agitated at the time
Mr.. Samstagg, sworn: Was at that timo watch
man in the Treasury building. He arrested the
prisoner on the front portieo on the day OF the
shooting; she was moving towards tho steps on
Fifteenth street.-The east portico. She walked
back with him. He offered her u seat. She
walked into the hall, and asked II she eould be
taken to a room. When she stopped ut the door,
thoy were on the way down with the body. She
shwed emotion when they arrived ut the door.
Nlaaa autI 20 fN..n IAN. ~
the ROOM
Gross examined by Mr.. Bradley: She was
facing the witness, when she said ''For God y
sake get me into the room" Her complexion ut
that time was considerably flushed.
MI William Shelley sworn: Is door keeper at
the main entrance at Treasury Department On
tho 3Oth Of June last saw person resembling
prisoner at the door; saw her at quarter past
three, She asked to come in to walt for gentle
man and also lady friend gave her chair,
but she did not SIT long, but went up stairs
she asked for no particular name. He could not
recognize her In the clothes she had on now
sho wore u brown cloak and nubia had curly
hair. ~
Samuel Stearns, examined by District Attorney:
is doorkceper, and was acting in that eapacityat
the time lie was there on the day Of Burroughs
death. A person came to him and asked him II
she could hnd II Mr., Burroughs. Ho looked at
MS directory aud found two by that name. She
looked at the directory herself, and she pointed
out the name Of the one who was shot on that
day said she Could n nd him out - He heard
Of the death Of Burroughs fifteen minutes after
four clock did not recolect her dress her size
and dress- ~
The prisoner was requested to stand up for the
purpOse OF Identification. The Court decided that
she would not bo subjected to any further soru-
tiny.
Mr.. Edward s. Handy, sworn Ia Justice orthe
Peace, and had charge OF the watch of the Treas
ury Department on S0th January. He was sent
for and saw Miss Harris. Mr. Samstag let him
in The pistol used was here produced and
Identified. 1t has four barrels, and the witness
said that when found two OF the loads had been
discharged. 1t Is Of the Sharpe pattern, aud
bears the date Of eigh ghteen hundred and fifty -nnel
He told her he was Justice Of the Peace As
soon rs he told her that, she put her hand in hcr
pocket and handed the pistol to him. She gavo
no rossoD for surrenderng the pistol. Her man
ner and appearance showed that she was very
much excited. She was tossing her arms about.
When she gave the pistol to witness she was on
her knees and was very much excited. Witness
asked her why she shot him. She replied, "Why
did do IL would give my life to save hlL.
The witness was still on the stand when our
report closed.
WILLIAM HUTcHNs, of Penobscot, tho
only remaining veteran Of the Revolution, resi-
dent In New England, DArticfpAted in tho celnbr