The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1871-06-22
Mrs. Fair to be Hanged,

San francisco, June 3.-MrS. Fair was
sentenced to day to be hanged for the
shooting Of Judge Critteudeu. Her coun-
sci this morning attempted to impeacE
Littlefeld, Que of the jurors. An afida-
Wit made by Wm. McNamra, special
policemen, was read, to the effect that he
had heard Littlefeld say at the time of
the shooting that if he were juror in
the case he would hang the woman. On
being examined for juror he swore that
he had formed no opinion and had no
bias either way Mr.. Littlefeld present
ed counter affidavit denying the whole
statement of McNamar.
At the conclusion of argument on the
motion for new trial on the ground con-
tanned in the affidavit impeaching the
jurors the Judge said he had given the
matter careful consideration and would
be glad to have the least doubt as the JUS
tice of the verdict The prisoner had
every advantage the law could give. The
case, that should have been tried in ten
days, occupied month. In the case Of
the jurors he did not think they had
formed a direct opinion, merely news
paper impression and if jurors were to
be excluded from reading newspapers, we
never could get jury.
The Judge further said it was hard to
make any Court believe that man of re-
spectabilty would work themselves into
jury for the purpose Of securing con-
viction. 1t only remains for me now to
pass the sentence, the saddest duty of my
life
Mr. Campbell-I resume my motion
for judgment upon the verdict.
Mr. Cook i ask permission to file on
Monday my ground of exception nunc
pro tunc.
The Court-Laura D. Fair, you are in-
dicted by the Grand Jury of the city and
county Of San Francisco for the unlawful
killing of Alexander Crittenden. That
indictment was sent to this Court for trial
You were furnished with an impartial
jury You were ably defended by coun-
sell The jury pronounced you guilty.
Have you any legal cause to show why
the judgment of the Court should not be
pronounced upon you?
Profound silence reigned in the Court,
broken only by the sobbng of the pris-
oners mother and of the women who
sat by her. The prisoner sat with her
face buried in her hands, but otherwise
composed and motionless, and made no
response. After few moments pause
the Judge, with trembling voice, said
''The judgment of the Court is that on
Friday, the 26th day of July next, you,
by the Sheriff appointed, be hanged by
the neck until you are dead ; and may
God have mercy on your soul"
The scene in the court room during
the remarks of the Judge and the deli
very Of the sentence was one Of intense
excitement. The room was not crowded,
few supposing that the case would be
closed to day. The Prisoner, while the
Judge was speaking, watched him eager
ly. When he said he saw no ground for
a new trial she bowed her head in her
mothers lap and wept bitterly, but soon
recovered her composure. A number of
ladies were present, all of whom wept
when sentence was being pronounced.
After the adjournment Of the Court the
prisoners mother, Mrs. Lane, confronted
the reporters, saying with excitement and
anger:
"Now you have got what you wanted,
haven't you? You have got her hung.
[ hope it gives you joy"
With difficulty she was pacifed. The
prisoner, on leaving the court room, bow
ed to the reporters and officers of the
Court, saying she forgave all. She asked
the Sheriff to prevent her jailer from
Handwriting her and claiming her to the
floor of the cell, as he had threatened to
do. The Sheriff assured her he would al
low no such treatment.
The excitement in the street was in
tense Hundreds Of people were waiting
to see her pass to her carriage.
A general friend, who always has sharp
wits about him. hands in the following:
NITD \ Snr0pOInS Of