The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-20
THE MKAIG TRAGEDY.
The Story Of q Sisters Ruin and
Arrangement.
A Sorrow-Stricken Mother on
the Stand.
Legal Arguments, Judicial Decisions and
Further Testimony.

Legal arguments, Judicial Decisions and
Further Testimony. NJ
FREDERICK Cry, Nd, April II, 1871.
The court reassembIed this morning at nine
O'Clock Tor the sixth days proceedings In this highly
interesting and important case.
The offer on Saturday or letter alleged Ia have
been written by the deceased to the sister OF the
prisoner, and identified as being in McKaig's hand.
writing, and the eloquent arguments OF Messrs.
Whitney Of Baltimore, and Voorhees, OF Indiana upon
the admissiblity OF the letter as evidence had at
tracted an immense crowd to the court room in
anticipation that the whole question OF the seduction
OF Miss Block by the deceased would 30 fully nvest-
gated, and that public curiosity upon that subject
would be gratiied by perhaps unexpected details.
The decision Of the Court upo the admissbfity OF
the letters as evidence was anxously anticipated by
the spectators as well as tho respective counsel as
opening the way for the introduction Of the testt.
mony OF the seduction and the chastity OF Miss
Block, which. It was well known both sides were
fully prepared to meet BY argument and by rebuff
ting testimony. The prisoners mother reappeared
In court this morning and occupied a seat by his
side. She was deeply veiled as on the first day
she came into the court and was evidently
greatly agitated. To her right sat the aged
father OF the prisoner, wearing the same care
worn. weared and even d0wncasr look which
bar Of the court to answer the charge OF murder.
mine A. Nj Ali the Officers OF the court were at
their posts OF duty; the respective counsel with the
Of Maryland who was called to Baltimore in an Inn.
poran State case, were In their seats and the sixth
As soon as ali the judges came in and took their
seats Chief Justice MausDy, for the Court said In
laon to the point raised BY the prosecution on Sat
prove seduction, that
M .asns 70 Ss ~ ne Of =: ssaasen
condition d the MIND Se
s tune q IN he ao s e. THE 10 H.
e s 70 a Sy % other in
Mr.. Voorhees,, for the defence, stated that there
were TWO distinguished gentlemen present who had
come mere TO testify as TO the character Of the pri
they might return to Washington as soon as pos
Hon. Henry G. Davis, United States Senator nom
West Virginia, and j. Orr, member Of Congress, OF
Iowa. were called by the defence and testified that
BLOCKS character for peace and quiet was remarka-
bly, good.
as oSnsn ,Ss e % proof and the Court .
NJ fact The q me q The p
ing the condition the prisoner on the
III on he S s # Rs
ter the deceased any facts and coming
ass 70 cl
the purposes before stated by the Court
plication to the Court The Defence in its opening
statement TO the Jury alleged the fact OF seduction
State was prepared to prove ana now oers to prove
that the sister Of the prisoner was not In condi-
seduced by Colonel McKaig, but that she was motto.
riouly unchaste before, during and since the war.
Mr.. Voorhees, for the defence, objected to the line
OF Want0n remark on the part OF the prosecution
when there was nothing before the Court The whole
subject Of seduction had he said. been ruled out BY
and they were not willing to accept the oler Of the
prosecution to make 1t question.
s the
should % whdrayn, and s:isd Court instruct the
son g1 81: Il Il ;s % Court did not ..
4. n4o,ns:
s cSs r to The Jury RYE any
TIE MOTHER OF THE PRISONER ON tbs STAND.
After the testimony OF Mr.. Henshaw had been
given Mrs. Block, mother OF the prisoner, was seen
and accompanied By Mr.. Voorhees, move slowly to.
wards the witness stand. All eyes followed her.
great difficulty she ascended into the box. After
getting upon the stand she stood moment to try to
wore heavy brown veil over her face, and in her
agitation would put her FAM large palm Leaf, up to
sight the staring gaze Of the assembags Alter be.
coming seated for moment and getting little
Il was rather prepossesslng for OF her years.
From IL ana her general manner as well as repu:
deed she lady na & s ;ns ssnsSlliues,
wrapped IN her family circle. she seemed greatly
affected at times during the giving Of her testimony,
placed in, and Tor moment forgot his own sorrow
terly Mrs Block was dressed neatly and in Perfect
taste. she wore dark brown Dress black velvet
black kid gloves She gave her her evidence in csar
c en- nsr The audience Kept respect
attorneys appreciating her position, were very CIR
cumspect I'm their manner.
lss s: f. :ss her hi. s ne
soe nons . he . ny son on Saturday night be-
.isvsn O'clock hight on Sunday morning h. went up
sunday q, ss vSss
had been told aDsS been told Al hs here
about talked about the matter Il horns, We
sSSq . or & s ap a
ss
sm peues thai sa h. wa: cf and cSSd moi ,s HIM
usual 4: :.asson asked s me where IL
but s. e1sa ' S father I'D not
told MI Lowndes that abe could come home he said they
q come wines:; told him sha. she must
% TO
my ne and liberty for her sake and her father was willing
M
then contnued-Mr Lovndes then asked me she was not
able 20 come homo told that she In good health
then tod him, for the frat time that had told
one that Myra had given birth 70 child, and that was
then four months old; when told him fell back
on the bed and said nohins this was the 6n! time tia.
moment got up, went into the hall walked up and down.
- MI Lowndes said when Mr. Lowndes went away Craw
a' &c
bedi ne Meeps In an adjouIng TO and There
door betwesn before he went TO bed he
ssted me fet bettsr Told him not much; ne very
all mis- dn thfukh s