The New York herald., 1865-02-02

THE WASHINGTON TRAGEDY.
Further Developments-Intervi with
the rrissner-pnSils .Ss.,. A AsyRpathy Tor q.
the acknowledgements OF His
Friends.
From the Washington Chronicle Feb IL
Throughout the entire day yesterday the excitement OF
this community concerning the killing of Mr. Burroughs
was intense Many circulated respecting
the unfortunate misguided who had perpetrated
the dreadful crime OF which yesterday gave the par
tnlars disclosed at the coroners inquest on the even
ing Of Monday the fatal day Various reports were also
In vogue concerning the deUeased-hs having been
ed and having abandoned another wife before he welded
the now his widow.
The sympathy for the prisoner manifested itself in
vehement expressions Of justification by those who be-
liev she lad been seduced and emphatic demonsra-
tons of cxtenuaon by those who regarded the case as
of gravaed 'breach of promise = Besides these
evidences of the tide of popular feeling, there
number OF visits to the Jail for the purpose Of ameorat
ing the suHrngs OF the unhappy woman by prominent
gentlemen and ladies, some Of whom carried to her
various articles intended to contribute TO her physical
comfort Among those who visited her said TO have
been Senator Hale Mr. Wilson and four other Representa-
tves from Iowa, Mrs Cornelius Wendell and number Of
Desiring to acquant the public with the Of the
which the prisoner might be willing to give, and 70
judge Of her condition by careful observations we visited
the jail and sought interview with her AT first we
told that she had declined 10 see any one But size
subsequently, consented and Mr.. Miburn, the deputy
warden. went Nth 10 the cell which SHE occupied
II Of the Ordinary kind appropriated TO the con
Hnemen Of criminals Of higher grade, but barely fur
aspect Of the apartment indeed most cheerless
During stay Of the attendants came into the
apartment and engaged In repairing the COT which
had broken down. and otherwise 10 add TO the comfort OF
the room. 8
Upon entering the room found Miss Harris pacing
the ooy evident mental distress and her entire
unmstakabe 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
she ceased her steps for Instant and in glance
while greeting us, endeavored TO read our feelings and
the purpose u our visit That view instantly impressed
us vivdy with the belief that she had long been
an earnest convection OF the grevOuB wrong until her
physical nature had been impaired thereby her moral
reflections distorted, and she had virtually become
monomansc This conviction strengthened by all Of
her looks and words throughout the Interview.
Miss Harris appeared 70 be few years older than she
Is said be; IL OF good figure rather sight has well
formed head, dark hazel eyes fine hair which seemed
in the light in which TO be black cut short and
worn in curls IL graceful In her naturally in
telgent, with highly sensitive Organization and sp
peare ss she said to have On, few few .n .ayan
not supernuous in the use OF words
BY expressions Of sympathy and careful inqu
ry gathered from her story frequently interrupted
by choking sobs but expressed with seeming arfless
which would have excited the sympathy Of the most
The following IL the substance Of her statement
My name is Mary Harris; am the daughter Of William
Harris Burlington, Iowa; my parents Irish and
are quite poor; am nineteen years old; about seven
years ago first became acquainted with Mr. Burroughs
was then In store in Burlington; Mr. b. was siding
house. from early period in our acquaintance until he
left Burlington; was very fond of him, aud for long
parents; he always manifested great interest In me as
gre~ older and his attentions became more Of the
continually told me that bis family was high for me;
that he would marry me, and that should not
keep company with him; disregarded them, persisted
In seeing him, and became more and more attached
TO him. When he left Burlington did not ask him to
write TO me, but he had not been long Rons when
received q letter from him, which answered, and
correspondence continued which sometimes in.
terupted by my rersining from writing TO him. But he
would persevere in renewing IL, until would he per-
suaded 10 write 10 him before he left Burlington he
asked me to marry him; refused because felt that
was too young 70 dsobey my parents in such matter
mnation 10 make me his wife. About two years ago he
wrote that he raising men for the war, and ex
10 marry Not long after, received letter from Miss
Dsvlin, who keeps store on Clark street Chicago,
rsna of r. e e,rpossh 70 apd could ss him there
About twenty months ago went 10 that city. Meantime
Mr. Burroughs, who had raised company Of troop1
injured his ankle could to the field and resigned hN
commission saw him frequently and received notes
from hin regularly until within week Of his marriage.
In August or September, year ago received al sboy
mo note asking the writer at house which
ascertaned one OF the most notorious In Chicago"
Miss Devlin said she believed the from Bur
roughs and determined VI possible to ascertain the
truth Miss Devlin endesvorcd TO ascertain who put the
in the Post once answered u, at her suggestion,
promising 10 meet the writer at the place appointed
friend of Miss Dcvin in the Post Office watched for
the party who for the reply, and his description
70 the belief that Mr. Burroughs the person then
determined TO 20 TO the house appointed and Miss Dew
lin went with me We told her cf the appointment and
that my friends would not let him elsewhere The
person n charge Of the house stated that the gentleman
not there VI the me but that he had waited there
before and bad instructed her not " the door
bell but TO permit him 10 do So saying that unless the
party he wished 70 saw him. she would NOT %,
aud we did not remain Her description further
confirmed me In tho belief that Mr. Burroughs
che person who had made the appointment An.
other mote was received stating that the writer had
unAvodably been absent from the city and nsk.
ing another appointment I resolved 10 20 again,
meantime taking 70 have the house watched
The persos whom believe 10 have been Mr. Burroughs)
did not 70 the house. and when thers again
was closed and We could NOS obtain admttance For
some time before this bad Mr. Burronghs The
writer Of the anonymous letter said he had often,
was much preposscssed In my favor and wanted TO be
friend 10 me- Mr Burroughs was man Of such marked
appearances ss NOT 70 be easily mistaken for another
still felt most intense anxiety 70 be further satis6ed
possible, whether he whom had so loved and who
had protested his love for me- could be guilty OF such
baseness then also determined 10 prosecute him FOG
breach Of promise. l went 10 see his brother FRO.
fefsor Burroughs, inquired Of him whether jackson
was IN the city He walked the door asked me if
was from Iowa and upon my replying In the afrma.
tive, said that his brother then there, but bad
been, and had gone 10 Washington. Shortly after
learned that he bad been married by his brother the
professor, think the day after there then de-
termned 10 como TO Washngto, and prosecute him. but
continually deferred II until last August, when Miss Dew
ill., having repeatedly advised 10 do so, and offered
me all the aid IN her power, came beer only TO learn
that be had gone 10 Chicago with his wife. immedi-
stely returned, and reaching Chicago employed
| hwyor and detectlve soon asceftanod that DC