Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-04-12
The BLACH .MckA lG CASE.
Murder Trial at Frederick,

The trial Of II. G. Black for the murder OF
W. W. McKaig, Jr., at Cumberland, in Octo
Der last, commenced yesterday at Frederick
City. Nine jurors were obtained from the reg
ular panel, and pending the selection Of three
more from the regular panel, the court sd-
j0urned until to day. The social standing OF
the parties concerned, the eminent legal talent
which is arrayed on each side, and the charac-
ter OF the alleged proyocation Tor the murder,
combine to create an intense interest in the
case. There was during the proceedings to OBJ
tain jury some skirmishes between the OBJ
posing counsel, which indicated how close is to
be the interest.
The correspondent of the Baltimore American
gives the following particulars Of the hrst days
proceedings:
cat 10 O'clock the Crier announced the sitting
Of the Court, and at once the crowd began
vending their way thither, all anxious 10 get a
glimpse OF Black, the prisoner, and the cele-
brated counsel engaged IN the case, until every
available space in the large chamber was filled.
The Court, Judges Msulsby and Lynch,
promptly called the bar TO order, and announced
Its readiness 10 proceed in the case of the State
OF MARYLAND VS.. ii. Crawford Black, indicted al
the october term OF the Circuit Court OF
Allegheny County for the killing of W. W.
McKag, ir., on the 18th of October last,
in the city of Cumberland. The sheriff,
oner in court, who took seat with his
counsel, ID. w. voorhees,, OF Ind; A. X. Syes-
ter, OF HagerstowD: Col. DOwney. Of Wyoming
Territory; +. i. Nelson, OF Frederick; Lloyd
Downdes and W. Price, OF Cumberland, al
table fronting the jury box; whilst Isaac ID.
Jones Attorney General of the State of Mary
land: Milten Whitney, of Baltimore; Francis
BreDgle, States Attorney.f0r Frederick coun-
~, and the father and brother of W. w. Me-
kaig, Jr., sat at another quite near. The able
array OF counsel have contributed no little 10
the presence OF the vast crowd, as all seem
anxious TO witness the struggle between these
great minds over the life of the prisoner. Mr..
Whitney was appointed by the court OF Allie
gany county TO assist in the prosecution and
Attorney ~ 0f M
State, both of which appointments were made
atithe earnest REQUEST of McKaig's friends.
TIE ACCUSED.
The prisoner, Black, is about twenty-f0ur
years old, quite handsome, with brown hair and
blue eyes, and OF rather delicate frame, and
does not have the appearance OF one that would
commit the crime or which he stands indicted.
He has a very intelligent face, is dressed par ez-
cezence, AID seems quite confident of the result
although at times he seems rather nervous, and
especially is IL apparent when he casts his eye
toward the gentlemen whe are here assisting in
the prosecution A large circle of friends sit In
groups about him. AT the time OF the murder
ha was engaged in business at Cumberland as
agent OF one Of the Coal Companies. He was
brought here from Allegheny on the eth instant,
and although the officer in charged proposed
finding him quarters at one of the hotels, he pre-
fefred going 10 jail. His family and relatives
stand high in the social circles Of Cumberland,
as 10 his victims.
: THr VICTIM
". W. McKaig, Jr., the deceased, into whose
Ia
OF October last, alleging as reason the seduc
ton OF his sister, Miss Maria Black, was
Young man 80 years Of age, engaged in the
onndry business In Cumberland, and univer-
sally esteemed by those who knew him we'll
he was the son Of ". W. MeKaig, Esd, a well
known citizen of Cumberland, and nephew OF
Gen. L. j. Mcksig. He had been married but
Few years prior TO the sad event, and left
wicow and two children to mourn his loss. HI
tune al was attended en- masse by the people o
Cumberland, and all the prominent bushes
90 ali Shnf Mt hat
PUBLIC FEELING.
This community is decidedly in favor
Black, on the reports as 10 the proyocation 70
the murder, although there are some staid dis
Greet old gentlemen who shake their heads
the new dictum set up as American law b
virtue of recent verdicts in similar cases, whie
will be held az law in this case, to wit: that tn
seduction OF female is justihable cause for
near relative to take away the life OF t.
seducer. 1t lie said that the defence will be Sc,
up that W. W. MeKaig, Jr., net only seduee.i
Black sister and insulted his father on public
race course near Cumberland last fall in the
presence OF large assembly of people, besides
other provocations, but that the fatal shot was
an act OF personal self defence; and that these
will be rebutted by the State.