The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-12-29

Correspondence Of the Baltimore SUM-
ANNAPOLIS, Nd, December ~.
The Wharton. .Ketchum trial closed Its third
week to-day-the court adjournlng over Satur-
day until after Christmas, to afford the State
an opportunity of presenting the result Of Pro-
fessor Tonry's chemical analysis, which, 1t is
stated, will be completed prior to the reassem-
bling OF the tribunal on Tuesday next. Owing
to the absences Of Its witnesses to-day, the
State was Unexpectedly compelled to close Its
case without any further evidence being
given. Professor Tonrys reorganization II,
of course, specially excepted by the court.
The introduction of the evidence OF second
chemical analysis for the purpose OF
proving the existence of tartar emetic In
the body of General Ketchum, was quite
atar, ,ll0g to the defence. The distinguished
philadelphia chemical experts, who have been
in attendance upon the court during the past
three weeks, preparing themselves to demol-
ish Prof. Akin, his analysis, and the case It.
SELF were somewhat discounted 10 find that
they had been engaged In useless labor. The
carefrlness and scientific precision With which
Prof. Tonry has conducted his analysis has
been subject OF remark, and will, 1t ls sald,
Withstand the criticism Of all the experts. He
has exhibited to the court and Jury visible eV1
dences OF the presence of poison, and 1t 10 be-
lieved that the result will be unmlStakaDle and
conclusive In addition to Prof. Tonry the fol-
lowing twelve witnesses have been examined
the present week, In the following order :
James Ketchum, Mrs. Van Ness, General BIice,
Mrs. Snowden, Major Bradley, Judge Sherman,
General Myers, General Wise. DR.. Donaldson,
DR.. THOMPSON, DR.. Craig aud DR.. McSherry.
Nearly all the States evidence this week
has Deen very damaging to the defence, and
the friends Of Professor Akin are very much
gratIfied that The correctness OF his analysis
mas been 80 completely confirmed by The Gu E.
fiIl and laborous Investigation of Mr. Tonry.
The clear and convincing medical opinions Uf
DR.. Donaldson, as an expert, upon the char
acler of the States evidence In respect 10 the
symptoms In life and post-mortem appearance
OF tho deceased, appear to be uDassallable, as
are those of DR.. Thompson, OF Washington:
The testimony OF General Wise and General
Brice In regard to the business trasactons OF
tn. prisoner huve had much effect. The EVIL
dence in relation to the alleged payment OF
her $2600 note-her alleged loan Of $4,000 to
General Ketohum-her attempts 10 borrow
$ll 900 upon the statement that her income
was $ll,080 per year, and that her uncle In
Philadelphia had made will beqneathlng her
500, 900, and his e2aclion from her or pro-
mise that she would not pledge any OF her pro-.
perty as security for the loan Of money, TO-
gether with her prevarioutlng statements upon
Ine subject, &C., were oil calculated to impugn
that truthfulness and integrity Of character
which she was thought to possess. The many
statements made by the prisoner IN connec-
lion with the poisoning OF General Ketchum
and the habits OF the deceased, and upon other
subjects, which have been proved 10 be false
by many respectable witnesses, are thought 10
be Inconsistent and damaging to the efforts OF
her counsel, and therefore the greatest ankle.
ty now exists to hear what the defence has 10
offer In explanation before lair-minded men
shall pronounce a Judgment on the intricacies
OF the case.
1t remains to be seen how far the defence
will be enabled to break down the prosecu-
tion, which presents strong case-as strong,
perhaps, as u case OF clrcumstantial evidence
can be made. Seemingly, the only point OF
evidence open for discussion Is that which
connects the prisoner directly with The pre-
paration of the poison and its admlnistra lon
with her own hands. The strong array of
facts and circumstances upon that point. in
connection with the oiher links IN the chain
OF evidence, the Stale will probably contend
Is sufficient to leave no doubt in the minds oil
the Jury oil her guilt.
In thus glanclng at few of the many points
Of the evidence Tor the State, 1t is only de-
signed TO give the reader some Idea OF the
present condition of the trail. When the evi.
dence for the defence Is presented, Its strong
points will receive equal attention. During
the examination of the recent witnesses, " Is
very evident that Mrs. Wharton has been close
ly attentive TO every word that passes their
lips. Her veil conoeals her features, but they
would probably be expressienless If seen. The
motion Of her head and the cleaning OF her
ewes are visible and betray to some extent
her anxiety. But little conversation passes
between her and her daughter and other com.
panIons of late. The only one of her counsel
who communicates with her at the trial table
is Mr. Thomas, and he very rarely speaks to
her