Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1869-05-20
INrERRsTING TRIAL. e,

A few weeks ago we published an account Of the
killing of Mr. Nicholas McComas, by Miss Martha
S. Cairnes ofHarford county, Nd, whom he had
seduced under promise Of marriage; The circum-
stances of the Killing were these: MeComas had
gone to JaretsviDe, to attend militia drill, and
was in the yard Of the tavern, when Miss Cairnes,
who had come expressly for this errand, walked
through the barroon, ,shot him three times, in the
presence of considerable crowd and retired un-
molested. : :, -
Her trial, which has just taken place, was very
interesting, the court room being densey filed with
an audience, all of whose ympathies we're with the
prisoner. The Baltimore Sun gives the following
sketch of the closing scenes on the last day Of the
trial ~,:,.r. - -.. :. ;I3
SAT the hour Of opening, after the judges were
on the BENCH the accused entered the room as usual
on the arm Of the sheriff, closely yelled, and was
placed in the dock, trembling and seemingly more
affected than usual knowing that before the sun OF
this day set, her fate would be decided. Many of
her friends had sent her precious words Of sympa.
thy and encouragement A magnificent bouquet
bad been presented to her early in the morning by
young member of the bar, which was prepared
she took her seat in the dock several female friends
who had followed her in, placed themselves on
either side of her, remaining until all was over.
Mr. Fernandis resumed his argument, if it could
be called SUCH dealing but little in dry law but it
was rather an impassioned and fervid strain of eo
queuce and imagery, addressed not to the heads, |
but to the hearts Of those twelve men, who held
the Life of her for whom he was pleading, In the
hollow of their hands. He was listened to with
breathless attention, and while he was speaking,
there was cessation Of the rapping OF the Judge
gavel and the call of the crier for silence. There
were but few eyes that were not molstened, even
of those whose reason and jugment struggled
against it
The accused had also great difficulty in restrain
ing her emotions When Mr.. Fernaudis conclud- |
ed, after speaking something over three hours, he
turned and took her by the hand. She was mute, !
Of course but responded to his action with CRATE
full significance of thanks.
Mr.. Archer followed, making the last speech on
the side Of the defence. His argument was almost
purely legal, but from the able manner in which he
presented the law and the facts and his happy fa-
cilty of expression, the drift Of his remarks was
not only easy of comprehension, but exceedingly in
terestng, and the effect was not at all lesseDed by
the mixture of pathos and fancy so adroitly inter
mingled He also occupied three hours. = - 2
Attorney General Jones then arose, and calmly
and quietly, without any attempt at oratorlcal ct.
fort or flights imagination, step by step reviewed
the evidence from beginning to end, sitting the
material facts and holding them up to the jury 50
that ''he who ran might read" With his well.
known ability he then expounded the law, showing
its application to the facts, but abstaining from
reading any lecture to the jury or nstrueting them
as to their duty leaving it to their own convictions
of duty to- draw their own inferenees
He concluded few minutes after five, and the
excitement now became intense. Necks were
stretched and eyes peered from all directions, first
at the prisoner and then at the jury. Many thought
that the jury would render their verdict without
leaving the box; but they gave no indication that
they had arrived at conclusion
When the jury re-entered, after an absence OF
ten minutes, the crowd in attendance was caution
ed blythe court not to make any demonstration
when the verdict was rendered, on pain of arrest,
and there is no doubt the caution was necessary TO
repress the enthusiasm, of the brawny yeomanry
clustered around. The clerk poled the jury, and
after the other formahtes, the foreman gave the
verdict of''Not Guilty." when few furtiye yells
went up from some small boys in the rear of the
crowd, who were not to be deferred by the threat
ening terrors of the court.