The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1869-05-07

T..sSsy 81 fee Martha ~ Cnirnes.
The trial of Miss Martha J. Cairnes,
charged with the murder of Nicholas Mo-
Comas, at Jarrettsville, on the 10th day of
April last, was called for trial on Wednes-
day morning~Jpdges Grason, Yellott and
Bateman on the bench. The State was
represented by Attorney General Isaac D,
Jones and P. H. RutledgesE Esq, state's>A At
torney. II, W, Archer, H, d. Farnandis,
Herman Stump, Jr., and Archer H. Jarrett,
Esqs., appeared for the defence.
After some delay, the following gentle
men were selected and sworn as jurors
Owen Michael, Isaac W. Coale, J. Craw-
ford Thompson, Andrew Boyle, Henry Ost-
hine John D. Anderson, William B. Hop
kins Henry A. Silver, Thomas G. Archer,
Albert Davis, William H. Harvard and
Edward Scarborough.
Attorney General Jones opened the case
on the part of the State, and was followed
on the part of the defence by Fl. W. Arch
er, Esq.
The examination Of witnesses for the
State then proceeded. The first witness
called was
John Ware-who testified that he had
been acquainted with Nicholas McComas,
hut not personally acquainted with Miss
Cairnes. Was at JarrettNille, on the 10th
of April, 1869. Was standing on the hotel
porch, a little to the left Of the bar.roomdoor,
Saw woman crossing tile bar-room and
rapidly approaching the door. Did not see
her have a revolver in her hand, and did not
recognize her as Miss Cairnes, until she had
nearly reached the door. McComas was
standing on the porch, on the right hand side
of the bar-room door, about eight or ten feet
from it. When Miss Cairnes had reached
the door, she raised her hand, and leveling a
pistol which she held, fired in the direction
of McComas She then stepped back wards,
and appeared to be raising the hammer of
the revolver, and said, Gentlemen, you all
know what it's done for" Did not know
McComas was shot. Told him to run. He
staggered back, and caught hold of post
supporting the porch-in such manner as
to place the post between him and Miss G.
the eyes of dying man. Miss Cairnes then
advanced and fired the second shot; when
McComas fell to the grolndAa DISTANCE 1T
three or four feet. Miss Cairnes then fired
two more shots in the direction of McComas,
as he lay stretched out upon the ground
Miss Cairnes then turned and going into the
bar-room, passed beyond my sight. Helped
to carry McComas into the house. Found
him nearly dead. Did not hear him speak,
after the first shot was fired. One ball had
penetrated the left side of the breast, near the
heart another had entered the upper portion
of the thigh.
BY the Defence.-Never was in an affray
where life was taken. Could not tell wheth-
CT the paleness of McComas and the tixed ex-
preston of his eyes, were caused by pain of
body or anguish of mind. Could not have
intcrposed to prevent Miss Cairnes from
shooting. Was very much excited myself
Did not think Miss Cairnes excited Witness
was about twelve feet from Misg Cairnes
when she fired. 80
Mrs Margaret STREET. sworn.-Reside at
Jarrettsville, 10 miles from Bel Air. My
husband keeps the hotel there. Remember
the occurrence ON the 10th of April Was
sitting at the supper table, when Miss Cairnes
entered the dining room by side door. She
had on riding skirt, bonnet and veil.
Asked her to take off her things and 60 into
the parlor, which she did. She asked to see
my husband. Told him he was wanted in
the parlor, and then went back to the supper
table Saw nothing more of Miss Cairnes
until after the shooting, when she was about
leaving for her home. The whole affair oc.
cupied but a few minutes. -
The hour for adjournment having arrived,
Court adjourned until Thursday morning,
at Q O'CLOCK.