The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-04
INTERESTING MURDER TRIAL,
A Child Poisoned by Its HIosher-ssad Story Of
Domestic Lifo-virtunl AcQuittal Of the

[From the Jackson (Mich.l citizen, Nov. 25.]
Yesterday afternoon the case OF the people aga;ns
Mary Houghson, OF Brooklyn, charged with poison
Ing herself and two children, which resulted In the
death OF one child, was called III the Circuit Court
IL Will be- remembered that about the middle OF Jul,
last this woman was arrested in the township o
Brooklyn, about half way between the villages 0
Manchester and Brooklyn, where she lived with he
husband, John Houghton, man OF about fifty year
OF age, who had seven children when he marie,
Mary Antin six years ago, and who was then yonus
woman OF twenty-five. by her he had two children
both boys Al the time OF her arrest the eldest OF these
boys was found dead ana the other child and herself
under the influence OF large doses OF audanum. The
lives OF both were saved, however, by the proper
remedies, and Mrs. Houghton acknowledged having
administered the poison with her own hands, alleg-
that she wished to die and take her children WIN
her. The evidence on the part OF the prosecution
merely reiterated these facts, besides showing that
tue family lived very uDhapply, aud that previous to
the murder the defendant was aAgfy with her nus
band; that she bought the laudsnum IN ManchesteI
OH the Attn OF July, and that she had frequently 81
pr ih .e lsn 'is sn' INV her cnareh on
Tho testimony in the deior.,. ..
this unfortunsIa Aappy circumstances o.
witnesse- ,anliiy more fully. number o.
- were called, and their evidence elected
, All substance the following iacts:-Six years apo
last April Mary, with her father, mother, sister
ana Drotlier came to thus country from England
ana Went TO live In the town OF Manchester near
the Brooklyn line, where an elder brother had pre
ylously settled The defendant went out to service,
ana Decaue acquainted with air. HOuQhton who as
We nave said, was u man about hfty years OF age
with seven children. Her parents were much Oh
posed to the match, and they married in secret
She had no intercourse VITA ner folks for over a
year, when she came with complaints OF Ill usage.
ana from that time the condition or the family was
miserable In The extreme she complained that
her husband wouid not provide sufficient foou
or clothing for her and her children; that he
ana ms boys abused ana lll-lreated her In all
forms; that he would not SEND the children Co
school, nor let her 60 to church; she was
bro, brought nr , up .o strict Methodist in England;
last some days previous TO The commission OF the
deed, all who saw her remarked that she evidently
scarcely knew what she was about. 1t appears that
she was enceiItte at the time she committed the
crime and the medical all SAID that she did not
appear TO be in her right mind, while one witness
did not consider The defendant an accountable
being, either before or after the murdcr.r OF course
this evidence was brought out IN support OF the plea
or partial insanity anu non malicious intent.
The prisoner then made her statement and told q
painful story OF abuse and pralons at the hands OF
ner husband and his family; SAID they Always kept
audanum In the house for medicine; she recollected
buying some III Manchester ana taxing 1t home as
they had none at the tne that she put IL IN the cup
there, but remembered nothing OF the occurrences
OF the fatal day.
Tne prisoner Ii woman OF about thirty two years
oil age, but looks somewhat younger; below the
medium height possessing the evidences OF having
been pretty once, though preserving, with her nag
gard lace, piercing black eyes aud OF the same
Color Poorly but decently dressed she sat in court
with an air OF melancholy indifference throughout,
except when she gave her statement, which sne ana
III an earnest impressive manner. aud at one other
timc wncn witness was quite personal toward
uer III giving MS testimony, Wlen she spoke a few
words IN quick, passionate manner, which showed
that she was suffering keenly. Her outward be-
hdvor was as though she had not realizing sense
oil her crime and her position. and her feelings may
be understood IRON q remark she made to one or
the witnesses, which was In evidence that suo
would rather go 10 prison than go BACK 10 her hus-
baud ana her miserable homer
some rebutins testimony was offered tending TO
show that Iousnt0n provided Well for the family
and that the woman had "A bad temper and was lazy
most OF which was In direct contradiction 10 Inc
evidence OF several witnesses that SHE was a hard
working drudge both outdoors and in the honse
working in the harvest field harvesting the team
anu drawing CHIPS aud stones. hoelng and husSing
corn, aud that she was provided with nothing To
make me house or lts Inmates comfortable Tni5
closed the evidence.
The jury, alter lour hours absence and on ce re-
porting themselves entirely unable TO agree finally
returned verdict OF manslaughler. Tue verdict
proved 10 DE almost tantamount 10 one OF acquItta
Tor when, just before the court adjourned Tor sup
per, the prisoner was called In to receive sentence
Mi were relieved 10 near the judge after a few kind
words OF ENCOURAGEMENT aud advice, pronounce the
penalty 10 DC line Of SlO0. When 1t came 10 be
known that the poor crushed creature was to re-
urn nome with her mother, brothers anl sisters,
suu that sue was Tree To commence lie over again.
avery one VINO had heart the trial seemed glad and
Iolh dissenting EXPRESSION was heard.
mus ended ono OF the most Interesting trials
lad III this county.