The New York herald., 1871-12-06
opening Of IlF Prosecution at Annapolis
Against The Alleged PosOner of
General Ketchnm.
Appearance of the Prisoner and
Her Daughter.
Testimony Of Friend Who Helped
Nurse Ketohum.
THE PERSONNEL OF THE JURY


Judge Hammond, Of Howard county, and Hayden,
Of Caral, county taking their seats on the bench
with Chief Judge Miller. Attorney General Syster
was also present to assist In the prosecution. The
court room as yesterday, was crowded 10 It's iull
capacity including several scores OF ladies. dozen
or more negroes filing up the back ground. Chief
judge Bastol, OF the State Court OF Appeals occu.
pied seat adjoining The bar Ufilcers from the
Naval School and professors OF st. Johns College
were among the audience, apparently taking deep
interest in the proceedings.
THE PRISONER,
with her athinl daughter by her side, both deeply
veied, attended by Mrs. Nelson and daughter, sat
Immediately IN the rear OF her counsel. After the
formal opening of the Court The Clerk proceeded to
cal, the names OF the talesmcn summoned yester
day from which four jurymen were to be selected
10 complete the inry, and before exhaustng the list
John II. Selman, farmer. r. W. Shccklcs, farmer;
George ". Watkins, merchant and Robert II.
Walsa farmer, were declared competent Jurors,
accepted and sworn in.
THE JURY HAVING BEEN COMPLETED,
The presiding Judge warned them against CON-
munication with any or hearing any statement in
regard TO the case, except from witnesses on the
stand, and against reading newspapers making
comments on the trial.
THE TRIAL
was commenced. The clerk to read the
Indictment to the jury the prisoner took her
in the box. The attention OF every juryman was
riveted on Colonel Howard the clerk, as he read the
Indictment from the commencement 10 the concu.
SION and added that ito This indictment the prisoner
pleaded not guilty." During the hali-bour con.
sumed IN the reading
TIE EYES OF THE PRISONER
we're fixed with steady ana absorbing interest al
ternately the jury ana the clerk. Save this wan
tncuy pronounced the terrible charge against her
10 the twelve me upon whose verdict her life now
hung, not a feature Of the face chanGed--no emo
tion was visible. Her whole thought and soul
seemed buried in deep and penetrating contem-
platiOn OF the jury.
Mr.. Reyell tnen proceeded TO open the case, stat
ing tnat
THE PROSECUTION
would prove the murder by poison; as charged IN
the intimate family relations tina. existed between
General Keachum and Mrs. Wharton's family; Their
business relations, involving q loan OF $2,6aO
BY ketcDnm to the prisoner. which was
secured by her note, 10 obtain which
note, alleged, the motive OF the murder, The
prosecution would show that this note was in the
possession 0f General Ketchum when hO left Wash
lngton for baltimore and that after his death 1t
Ar. STEELE, for the defence, said he would not
now make a statement to the jury. but reserve
that right TO q future time, the development OF
the trial might render necessary and proper.
M Eliza mbb Of nas e Called
the stand and sworn as witness Tue witness
was questioned by Mr. Revelie. The material por.
tiOn OF her testimony was that she had known the
prisoner Tor twentytwo years; tnat she TOOK tea
with General Ketchum ut Mrs Whartons on Satur-
day evening, the oath OF June he day Of his arrival
he complained OF giddmess and sick stomach. Sun
Uay night General Ketchum and witness both took
a glass OF lemonade prepared by Mrs. Wharton.
The General took brandy IN his pouring 1t In the
glass himself. On Monday ne still comp
lained OF being unwelI, and IN the alter
Doom D9 wsms was sent ior ana
The prescription was obtained: shortly afterwards
the pnial or bottle containing me prescription was
broken, as stated 10y prisoner TO witness The wit
ness was about to 90 10 the apothecary and nave
wharton II she desired her to get anything
ese, to which prisoner replied that she wanted
some tartar emetic TO apply to her breast witness
tartar emetic, which she took to Mr.. Wharton and
placed It on the mantel. she occupied the same
chamber, took the paper Of tartar emetic,
slltcd II on mustard plaster and placed
II on her breast, witness lying on the bed
application OF plaster; Mrs. Wharton VAST was up. on
and on, during Saturday, Sunday and Monday
nights, the greater portion OF each night: the Wiz
ness lett Mrs. Wharton's about seven O'Clock on
Tuesday morning for Washington, and did not see
ketchum alive again.
The question was asked witness Had You any
conversation with General Ketcham on his way 10
Baltimore as TO his object In going there2' which
objected TO by counsel for the defence. Nu
merous authorities were cited TO sustain the obec-
lion. The argument continued until three O'clock
without being concluded when the Court adjourned
until tomorrow.
Judging from appearances the jury Is composed
OF intelligent, thoughtful men. who VII! carefully
weigh every shade Of the testimony. The jury con-
ono telegraph operator and one merchant. ma
jorify have attained the meridian OF li'e only two
or three being comparatively young men.