The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-05-11
THE CAIRNES MURDER TRIAL.
The Interest Among the People--Demen-
nor and Treatment Of the Accused.


A correspondent OF the Baltimore Sun gives
the following account Of the trial Of Martha ].
Cairnes, now in progress at Belair, Maryland.
Miss Cairnes, it will be remembered, shot and
killed Nicholas McComas, who had seduced her
under promise Of marriage:
The trial of Miss Martha J. Cairnes for the
murder of Nicholas McComas, which is now in
progress here, is the all. absorbing theme Of
conversation in all circles. The courthouse ls
thronged not only with the people OF this
town, and those residing in the vicinity where
the detd was committed, but by persons from
the most remote parts Of the county, drawn
together by the general interest. which seem,
to attach to the affair. Contrary to general
expectation, but little difficulty was experience
ed in obtaining jury, and the trial was imme-
dat ely proceeded with. The flower OF the bar
of Hartford County having been secured tor the
defence, Governor 30 rie, on application OF r
H. Rutledge, Esq, the States attorney. re-
quested Attorney General Jones to assist 10
the prosecution. In consequence Of the dilapi-
dated condition OF the county Jail, the county
authorities did not regard it as ft place IN
which to confne female prisoner, and Miss
Carnes has acc )rdingly been placed upon
her parole, and has her quarters at Glenn's
Hotel, where accommodations have been
DrOYIuel tOr ueE oHO
is under no surveillance whatever, eats at
the public table, and moves IN and out OF her
room c5 pleasure and has been in the habit OF
promenadng and shopping on the streets until
this week. She is escorted to and from the
courthouse by Sheriff Young, leaning upon his
arm as any other lady, and left by HIM at the
hotel with polite bow. Upon Miss Cairnes
entering the courtroom the dense crowd dl-
yldes. and, with the utmost respect, makes q
passage way for her to the inside of the bar.
at the hotel she is constantly in the receipt OF
expressions OF kindness from sympathizlng
friends and well-wishers. She wears plain
but neat light purple dress, lilac kid gloves,
white bonnet aud ribbons, and seems neither
to court or avoid observation. There is no diff
ficuIty in at once perceiying that the large ma
iority Of the community uphold her aud count
confidently ujon her acquittal, contendlng
that she was fully justified in her action. while
it is also true that DO luconslderable por ton
mix with their sympathy regrets that human
life should ever be deliberately taken unless
by sanction Of the law.
When the trial formally commenced, Attor-
ey-General Jones opened the case on the part
of the prosecution, the three judges being all
on the bench. The learned Attorney-General
made calm and dispasslonate argument, PIC
turing the dangers to society il the Wanton
slaying Of a human being in defiance of law
was to go unrebuked. Henry w. Archer, Esq,
on behalf Of the defence. made most lmpas-
stoned and eloquent address, appealing to the
feelings OF the jury in such manner as to
draw tears not only from some OF them and the
prisoner, but from many OF the spectators, and
even to sensibIy affect the bench and the bar.
| From the indications 80 far brought out 1t ia
assumed that the prosecution will endeavor TO
| prove that the killing was deliberate and pre-
medtated, and that the prisoner was aided and
abetted bv her brother, Richard Cairnes. The
| most important witness relied on BY the prose-
tion to prove the brothers completely is q little
| girl, Miss Ella Hope, who was riding behind
him on his horse on the evening of the mur-
der. She is, however, returned by the sheriff
as non es., and 1t is said that she has left the
State.
The grand Jury refused to indict the brother,
regarding the facts stated as insufficient to i'm
| pIicate him. Tho defence will claim that the
accused was insane at the time OF the commis-
| siop Of the act and for some time previous, on
account of McComas's treatment towards her.
During the progress Of the trial the demeanor
OF the accused has been generally one Of un-
concern, mostly occupying the time IN gazing
listessly around and tanning herself. But this
afternoon, when the witnesses called by her
counsel we're all testifying to her high charac-
ter aud womanly virtues, she was yisibly
moved, ahd although her eyes we're still tear
less, her pale face was momentarly suffused,
and the m lsces around the mouth twitched
nervously and beyond her control. When the
old lady, her mother. was placed on the stand,
she bent her eyes on the floor, but listened at
tentiveIy, and at tie sight OF mother and
daughter in such different situations and under
such trying circumstances, thrill OF sympa-
thy ran through all who were present.
Mr. Archer, who is now acting as the leading
counsel 1r Miss Calrnes. was retained by the
deceased (McComas) as his counsel in suit
brought against him lasl winter by Miss
Cairnes for breach OF promise OF marrlace,
which suit was never brought To trial. Inc
widowed mother and three sisters of McComas
were deoendent on him for support, and his
friends assert that his pecuniary condition did
not admit OF his marriage.
Tonight Miss Cairnes held quite levee at
her hotel, visitors Of both sex constantly COM
ing and goiug, md almost all proffering ell
couragement. She was in fine spirits. About
ten O'clock she was seren ded. as. was also the
jury sitting in her case, who are quartered at
MIS-. Ashton's.