The New York herald., 1871-10-06
The Prisoner Brought In for
Arraignment.
She Makes an Affidavit that She Cannot Get
q Fair Trial in Baltimore and Moves
Her Case to Annapolis.
EXCITING SCENES IN THE COURT
Letter from One of Mrs. Whar-
toms Friends.

BALTIMORE, Oct 6. 1871.
Interest in the notable case OF Mrs. Il. q. Whar-
ton. indicted for the poisoning OF General W. 3.
Ketcham and for the attempt to poison Eugene Van
Ness an extended report OF which appeared
In the HERALD at the time, increases as
the time draws near ar which she will
appear before the Court TO answer the
terrible charges alleged against her. Every item
that contains an alluson to her name IL read with
avidity, and every day the Criminal Court room Ii
crowded with the morbidly curious expecting some
phase OF thus important case to be presented;
but up to this morning the public had not
been gratiled with anything but conjec.
lures and surmises AZ to what would be
done when the case was called for trial. az the
friends Of the unfortunate lady have guarded every
fact in that connection with great care. and the
officers of the court and jail have been rigidly
careful OF every fact in relation to the trial. and the
reucence OF all parties who could know anything
about the matter has heightened the public interest
in everything that relates to the case.
Twice the order went forth for her arragnment.
and both times sne did not appear. The first day
her case was postponed on account OF her health
upon the advice or her physician an account Of
which appeared In the HERALD, and the second upon
the motion OF the Court on account OF the excite
mcnt that attended the announcement In q morning
journal here that she would appear for arragnment
The desire OF all parties connected with the case
In any wny has been to keep ali proceedings therein
as quiet as possible and on yesterday, the impress
sion having gone out that she would be arraIgned
for some days, Judge Gilmore directed that she be
brought before the Court for arragnment this morn
ing at ten O'Clock.
The order was given to her counsel Mr.. J. Nevitt
Steele, and on yesterday afternoon he waited upon
Mrs. Wharton at the jail and broke to her the fact
that to-day at ten O'Clock she should appear at the
bar justice to plead her guilt or innocence OF the
fearful crimes OF which she stood charged.
She received the announcement without much
agitation, and seemed ready to comply with
the stern requirements Of the law that would draw
her forth from her secluded prison CELL into which
rude curiosity could not gaze and subject her to the
terrible ordeal OF standing as criminal to answer
for the fearful crime OF murder before a gaping
crowd OF that common herd that always gather
about criminal courts.
Her daughter Nellie q lovely young girl Of about
eighteen years. who has shared with her mother her
prison lie and watched over her sickness with un-
exampled MISUNDERSTANDING to leave her side .
moment save when she would step from the
close, narrow cell into the corridor to escape the
prying eyes OF her mother, and, IN hood Of
tears ease her breaking heart-did not take the
announcement that the time had come when She
should 90 from the jail to the court room r0 hear
her mother arraigned as common criminal, and
be the target OF the prying eyes that would neces
sarily be leveed upon her, with the same resIgna-
ton as her mother. She had not the years
or rude experience OF life to bear up under
the terrible burden that mas been bearing
down upon her with a crushing weight ever since
the terrible announcement came TO her ears that
ner mother was charged with the crime OF murder,
Sn nsa1s sSns asr Ga Mr. Steele S Withdrew and
nvtnfnp Ain
limits Of that lonely cell: Not one but the Great
Being above can ever tell OF the suderlngs OF tnat
poor girl and her wretched mother during last
hight Fancy could pains no picture that would
convey the deep melancholy OF those hearts nor
could tongue ten or pen wrise augns that would
Tnis morning dawned bright and beautiful: not
trees and shrubs around the jail wore their bright
est autumnal hues Mrs Wharton and her daugh.
their the breakfast os which IS furnished from res.au
rant and consists OF all the delicacies that money
or e s
made for the trying scenes Of the day Az few
moments after nine O'Clock the warden OF the Jail.
friend Of the whar.on family, Proceeded
tune for their departure had arrived Mrs. whar-
ton ana her daughter were In readiness and the
leaning upon the arm OF the warden and her daugh-
ter upon the arm or Mr. Nelson passed out into the
Here moments delay occurred. after which the
huge doors OF the main entrance to the prison were
thrown open. and MRS. Wharton and her daughter
for the first time in several mouths saw the unoD-
structed light OF day and Dreathed the uncon-
lined upon either side BY tastefully ar
ranged beds or rare nowers they went,
while from the windows OF the cells on that Side OF
the jan could be seen the faces OF the hardened
criminals pressed hard against the iron bars,
curious TO know what was going on. Out through
the portals OF the wall passed the un-
happy woman, and all stepped into close
carriage that was IN readiness for them,
or the Court House, at the corner OF Lexington
street and Monument square. During the drive 10
the court room Mrs. Wharton seemed quite cheerful
but her daughter seemed weighed down with q
sense OF the terrible situation IN which she would
soon be placed, and said very little.
To AVOID the eyes Of the curious who might have
got an mixing OF what was TO be done III this
at this mornings session or the Criminal Court the
carriage was driven to the corner Oi 81. Paul ana
Lexington streets and the party aghted and walked
down the street to the Court House, and at hafpast
nine O'Clock entered the Criminal Court room ana
she took her seat In an oDscured place pro-
yided for prisoners almost unObserved. In few
moments IL became * known .nat " s, sne naa @ Deen
were soon Lhronged with motley crowd anxious TO
see the prisoner and listen to the details that were
to he presented. None but attorneys and members
of the press were admitted unt the h0ur designated
for the opening OF the Court.
Al i've minutes Of ten O'Clock Judge Gilmore came
in took seat and raped the Court to ORDER and
mrs. Wharion's COUNSEL i. hewitt steele and John
II. Thomas Immediately followed, and at once held .
as sought Mr.. Leo Knott state Attorney, and these
TWO gentlemen held moments conversation with
Judge Gilmore. The movements OF Court and coun-
sci were watched carefully by tue eager crowd OF
II they could not divine what was TO transplre
Al ion O'CLOCK the doors thrown open ami