The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1870-04-13

lrion VIC rSCW Ork EXPRESS.
The Mcfarland trial is on to-day, and the
anticipation that it would excite intense
public interest will, judging from appearan-
ces, be fully realized. As early as 10 a. m.
the corridors of the Court of General Ses
slons were densely thronged by curious
crowd eager to gain admission to the Court
room. The throng in the halls of the Court
was very unlike that which is usually been
there.
To-day, while there are many pickpockets
and fowdies around the Court, visitors con-
sist mainly of respectable citizens, whose
interest in this tragic case has been SO
wrought up that they find themselves elbow
ing their way among what, under ordinary
circumstances, would be very incongenial
assemblage. Fastidousness seems to have
been sunk even by the most sensitive in the
intense and all absorbing desire to get
glimpse of the prisoner, and if possible to
have chance of listening to evidence which
is expected to be of the deepest interest.
LEAVING THE TONES.
A little after 10 o'clock, the prisoner Nc
Farland, neatly dressed in black, his face
shaved, and his general demeanor cool and
collected, in custody of Captain McCoskey
stepped into Blocker street car, and on
arriving at the Court proceeded up the stairs
unrecognized by the dense and curious
crowd, every one of whom was so anxious
| to catch glimpse of him. He quietly took
his seat within the railing of the court, in
which at that time, quarter past ten,
| there were not more than twenty favored
| individuals, who had succeeded in passing
| the sentinel at the door. Mcfarland, soon
after being seated in the courtroom, was
Joined by his son Percy an interesting look
| ing child of ten years OF age, and who bears
striking resemblance to his father.
a CONVERSATION WITH MCFARLAND.
| The writer, while Mcfarland was waiting
| quietly for the hour when the Court would
/ open, entered into conversation with him re-
garding the trial which was about to come
on. Mcfarland said he was prepared to
meet the verdict, no matter what it might
be, but was confident that it would be IA
vorable one. He said he felt in very good
health, that the past four months imprlson-
ment had improved him both in health and
in spirits, and had given him peace OF
mind which he had not known for the
three years previous McFarlands little boy
during our conversation, came into Court,
and father and child kissed each other with
l ducCllOU. ulCp DnoWOo oiSho
of much emotion, and the little fellow SEEM
ed to have a thorough consciousness of tue
position his father occupied in this melan-
choly drama.
| OPENING OF THE COURT.
By II a. M the Court room had become
densely crowded. The delegation from the
press was very large. At few minutes
after II Recorder Hackett took his seat on
the bench, Judge Bedford seating himself
beside him. Messrs. Graham, Spencer and
Geary, the prisoners counsel, took their seats
beside Mcfarland. Judge Garvin, the Dis
trict Attorney, and Assistant District Attor-
ney Fellows appeared to prosecute and were
assisted by Noah Davis as associate counsel.
The case of The People against Daniel Nc
Farland was called up, and amid the breath
less attention of the Court the case was for
mally opened. 3.H
In reply to Recorder Hackett, Judge Gar
win said he was ready to proceed with the
trial.
Mr. Graham, ON the part of the prisoner,
! suggested the propriety of appointing triers
for the jury. He felt anxious to impress upon
the Court the Importance of being careful in
tho selection of men upon whom were to de-
volve such momentuous duties.
The Recorder said that MIR. Graham and
the District Attorney could agree upon the
triers
The District Attorney intimated that he
entertained no objection to that course.
A considerable interval elapsed before the
work of nominating triers commenced, du-
ring which Mcfarland conversed with his
little boy, while his counsel engaged in earn
est conference
The first juryman called was a German,
who, on saying that he knew the English
language but imperfectly, was ordered by
the Recorder to stand aside. The next was
Mr. Charles Wingate, an Insurance agent,
living in the 21st Ward. Upon being sworn,
the counsel for the defence Intercepted him
as to whether or no lie had formed any opn-
ion of the case. He stated that he had
} formed no definite opinion on the case !;
knew nothing more than the general fact
, that man was shot-that knowledge was
derived from the papers. o t1.
Examined by the District Attorney-Mr.
Wingate stated that he had no conscientious
scruples about finding a verdict of guilty il
case where such verdict would entail tho
} punishment of death.
Mr.. Graham challenged on the ground
that the juryman had characterized the
transaction as crime.
The Recorder decided that the challenge
could not be sustained
Mr.. Wingate was then challenged for favor
by the counsel for the defense, who except
ed to the ruling.
Nh. Graham stated that he should chal-
lenge tor favor on the ground that he had
expressed an opinion; that he had bias
against the prisoner personally.
RICHARDSON'S BROTHER AND THE FATHER
OF MRS. MCFARLAND IN COURT
Notwithstanding the monotony of exam
, lnlng jurors the case is growing in interest.
Among those in Court who are watching
/ the progress of the trial with profound at
: tention, are brother of Albert D. Rich
} ardson, and VIM. Sage, the father of Mrs.
Mcfarland. The former strongly resembles
his deceased brother. He is very quiet aud
| collected in his demeanor Mr. Sage is a
man of large frame. He is seated unobtru-
T siyely in corner beside the steps of the
, bench, and seems nervous and downcast.
Few OF those in Court are aware of the
presence of these two personages. Mayor
, Hall has been in Court The "Count'
3 Joannes is in Court. 1t will be remembered
e that the Count offered to defend Mr. Nc
I
f Messrs. VIM Edddeston and Henry Nor
rison were appointed triers by the Court,
/ and Mr.. Graham proceeded to examine Mr..
$ Wingate, who testified that he never saw
Mr. Richardson; attended DR.. Frothing.
| hams church occasionally; was personally
, acquainted with DR.. rockingham was
1 aware that Dr. rockingham was censured
f for his connection with the ceremony at the
Astor House; read about the affair in the
, paper; could not tell whether it was legal
l proceeding or not; had no opinion or be-
: lief about the matter.
d : District Attorney Garvin examined the
8 juror, who stated he was perfectly impartial
between the Psisoner and the people and
' 7 could render fair verdict.
| Mr.. Graham, addressing the triers, said
y that II there was any truth in what the Juror
had stated, he was the most extraordinary
specimen of inhumanity. that ever tried to
4 get on jury, There must have been some
motive urging him to seekl and tn thrust
. himself into position from which men of
!, his years generally shrink. He conceived
that 1t was impossible that any man should
\, have read accounts of the transaction in the
. papers and not have formed an opinion in
! regard to it. He was therefore at a loss to
), account for the jurors answers, and was
! forced to think that he was concealing some.
!. thing, and that he was not in that unbiased
state of mind essential to a Juror An
9 other thing to cause suspicion was, that Mr..
Wingate was ANXIOUS to get on the jury,
which, of itself, was sufficient to prove bias |;
and he also admitted that he was acauaint-
ed with one of the principle actors in the
! blasphemous ceremony at the Astor House.
The Recorder charged the tricrs that they
20 were to decide from the evidence submitted