The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1869-05-22
Interesting Murder Trial in Mary
land. tr'lY,,i

L
Some weeksago, it viii aforementioned
Miss Martha Jane Gairnes shot and
killed Mr.. Nicholas McComas, at Jar.
rettsville, Maryland, fer the offence Of
having seduced her under promise Of
marriage, aud failing to. ikeopithe prom
isc. The greater part sof last week was
occupied in her trial, aud an extraordi
nary interest was manifested in the case
the families of both parties being highly
respectable. The closing scene .Satur.
day is thus described by:a correspondent
Of the Baltimore SUM- - lhn"1 .
This morning the interest was greater
than ever, and larger crowd than any
time during the trial was present. The
court room back to the wall was densely
packed with human beings. Some we're
standing in the windows, and many even
pushed inside the bar and monopolized
the space appropriated TO the members Of
the bar and the witnesses, even invading
the spot where the jury sat. and from
which no admonition oiSthc court could
induce them to bulge
AT the hour Of opening, after the
judges were Oh the bench, the accused
ea.eEea the Eoom as usual on the arm Of
the sheriff, closely yelled, aud was placed
in the dock trembling and seemingly
more affected than usual, knowing that
before the SUI Of this day set her fate
would be decided. Many of her friends
had sent her previous words Of sympathy
and encouragement. A magnificent
bouquet had been presented to her early
iu the morning by a young member oil
the bar, which was prepared by the fair
hands of Mrs. Stevenson Archer. When
she took her seat in ,ae dock several
female friends who had followed her in,
placed themselves on either side of her
remainiug until all was over.
f6e Argument was c6htinued afrc0 IA con.
cludcd.
The excitement now became intense
Necks were stretched and the eyes peercd
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 Il
conclusion.
Judge Grason then directed the bailif
to take them in charge, when they re-
tired. Some considerable disappoint.
mcnt as manifested 10y the crowd at
this, aud anxious Inquiries went around
"What is the matter Y "Do you think
the jury is all right" &c The jury
were out just ten minutes, aud it is uu
derstood that the hitch Was caused b,
cmse cm..se ;".ii'man ;;""..ii'aman being unable to agree with
phe other eleven that it was case Of
iustifablu homicide, but was willing t,
acquit if hc could be satisfied OF the
previous insanity and ten minutes wcr,
occupied By his associates in couyincin.
him OF the fact.
The Jury were thus out ten minutes
Whcn the jury rc-cntcrcd, the crow,
in attendance was cautioned by the cuur
not to make any demonstration when the
verdict was rendered, on pain of arrest
and there is no doubt that the caution
was necessary TO reprcss the enthusiasm
OF the brawny yeomanry clustered al
around. The clerk polled the jury, anC
after the other formalities, the focmar
gave the verdict of Not guilty" whhei
few furtive yclls went up from small
boys in the rear Of the crowd who wcr,
no, to be deferred by tho thrcatenin.
tcriurs of the court.
The accused. whose composure during
the trial had been so generally noticed
could no longer bear the strain upon hel
and gave way entirely; she wept anc
gasped for breath, and seemed in immi
ncnt danger of iainting. With the as
sistancc Of the sheriff and others she wa
taken into an adjoining room, the doc
locked to keep out the crowd that wa
pressing upon her, and after inhaing
little fresh mir she recovered sufficiently
to be taken over the street to her hotel
where for n long time parties were con
stantly coming to Inquire after hel
Later in tho evening, with her mothe
nd ot hcrs n hnv fnu,;l,. onJ rr;onI, 81