Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-02-09
THE TREASURY TRAGEDY.
THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS.
INTERVIEW WITH TIE PRISONER.
Her Statement of ths Affair.
from The Washington Chronisle. ]

Throughout the entire day yesterday the
excitement Of this community, concerning the
killing Of Mr.. Burroughs. was intense.
Many rumors were circulssod concerning the
unfortunate, misguided woman who perpe-
trased the dreadful crime, of which We yes
terdsy gave the particulars, - disclosed at
the coroner's inquest ON the evening Of Mon
day, the fatal dsy. Various reports were
also in vogue concerning the deceHsed-his
having been married and having abandoned
another wife before be wsdded the one now
his idow.
The sympathy for the prisoner manifested
itself in vehs,asns expressions Of Justification
by those who believed she had been seduced,
and in emphatic demonstrs ,icns Of eXteuua-
ton by those who regarded the case ~ one of
aggravated breach Of promise Eesides
these evidences Of the tide of popular feeling.
there were number of visits to the Jail for
for the purpose of alnelorating the suffering
Of the unhappy woman, by prominent gen
tlemen and ladies', some Of whome carried to
her various articles intended to contribute to
her physical comfort. Among those who
visited her we've said to have been Senator
Hale, Mr.. Wilson and four others. represent
iatives from Iowa, Mira Cornelius Wendell,
and = number of other ladies'.
Desiring to scquAint the pubic with the
version Of the case which the prisoner might
be willing to give, and TO judge of her con-
ditioh By careful observation, we visited the
Jail and soaght an interview with her. AT
first We were told ths: she had declined to see
any one. But she subsequently, consented,
and Dir Miiburn, the deputy warden, wen,
with us to the cell which she occupied.
1t was of the ordinary kind appropriated to
the confinement of criminals of higher grade
but barely furnished, and thought there WAS
fire in it, the entire aspect of the apartment
was indeed most cherries. During our stay
some of the attendants came into the apart
n,ent, and were engaged i'll repairing the cot,
which had broken down. AMI other wise to
add to the comfort of the room.
Upon entering the room We fosud Miss
Harris pacing the floor in evident severe
mental distress, and her entire appearance
gave unmistakable signs of the terrible agony
Of the few hours which she had passed within
the prison walls. We obtained the first view
of her face and form Us shc ceased her steps
for an instant, and in glance. while greet
ing us. endeavored to read our feelings and
tho purpose of our visit. The view instantly
impressed US wildly with the belief that she
had long been nursing an earnest conviction
of the grisvous wrong, until her physical ma
ture had been impaired thereby, her moral
reflections distorted, and she had virtually
become a monomaniac. This conviction was
strengthened by all other looks and words
throughout the interview.
Miss Harris appeared to be few years
older than she is said to be; is of good figure.
rather slight; has wsll-formed head; dark
hazel eyes; fine hair, which seemed in the
light in which We saw it 70 be black, cut
short, and worn in curls; is graceful in her
manners; naturally intelligent, with high
sensitive organization, aud appeared, as she
said, to have but few educational advantages.
She, however. employed good language, and
was not superfuous in the use of words.
By earnest expressions of sympathy. and
careful inquiry. we gathered from her story,
frequently interrupted by choking sobs, but
expressed with seeming artessness which
would have excited the sympathy of the most
stocal ls,sner.
The following is the substance Of he, state
mcnt:
Ny name is Mary Harris am the daughter
Of William Harris, of Burlington, Iowa; my
parents are Irish, and are quite poor ; am
nineteen years old abost seven years ago I
frs. became acquainted with Mr.. Burroughs
was then in a store in Burlington; Mr.. B. was
residing there he came frequently to see ME