The New York herald., 1871-12-08
Increased interest Manifested In
This Exciting Trial.
The Ladies Of Baltimore Throng.
ing the Court Room.
MRS. HuTToA'S TESTIMONY CONCLUDED
Or. Williams, General Ettchnm's Medical
Attendant, on the Stand.
ANNAPOLIS. Dec. Z, 1871.

Tne fourfn DAYS proceedings IN tno cdse VI Mis
wharton, now ON trial In the Circuit OF this
county at this place for the murder by poison OF
General W. Scott Ketchum. were commenced TINS
morning at ten O'Clock. Chief Justice Miller and
Associate Justices Hammond and Hayden took
their seats precisely at the hour named for the
Court to meet. The Court was called to order.
MRS. WHARTON HAD ARRIVED
a few moments before, attended as usual by her
daughter Mr. j. crawford Nelson wife and daugn.
ter and an elderly lady, and also Mrs. Nugenf,
the wife OF Mrs. Wharon's brother from Potsville,
Pa. who is stranger TO the past proceedings In
this important and interesting case. The party
took their seats IN the rear OF those occupied by
the counsel for the defence, and the same
air OF deep ana earnest sorrow for the fear
ful staation OF this unfortunate lady, both in
dress and manner, pervaded the entire party, as
on each preceding day Of the trial. Mrs. Nngent
seemed TO be more depressed than the others, ana
during the day her eyes would frequently MI with
tears as some alusion was made by counsel to Mrs.
Wharton's connection with the dreadful crime for
which she Is now on trial. Mrs. Wharton herself
appeared quite well and Miss Nellie, her daughter
seemed much more cheerful than upon any previous
day. and received as usual the kndest attentions OF
a large circe OF young lady friends from Baltimore
and elsewhere, conspicuous among whom was the
the almost constant companion OF her tediols
lengthy and patient watching over her mothers
prison life, MISS Rose Nelson.
THE CROWD WITHIN THE COURT ROOM
was larger II possible than on any previous day or
she trial, and the attendance OF richly dressed
ladies was its prominent feature Within the bar
were gathered, belsdes the press representatives
aud members OF the legal profession, several gen.
tlemen OF prominence both IN civil and military
life conspicuous among whom were Paymaser
General Brice, the motherln-law OF General
Ketchum; General j. Ii. Eaton, or the Department,
Of the United states Army ana intimate personal
friend OF General Ketchums, both Of whom seemed
to take great interest In the proceedings Of the day.
Two sons OF the late General Ketchum, both fine
looking young men, apparently abont twenty-five
years OF age were also present. and seemed
1t times much affected when the facts In
relation to their fatner's death were being
detailed by the witness. All the counsel
for both prosecution and defence were present
when the Court was Called except Mr.. Steele senior
counsel for the defence, ana q delay OF some min
utes was had on that account He came ia, how
ever, at twenty minutes after ten O'Clock, shook
hands with Mrs. and Miss Wharton. but seemed
somewhat embarrassed on account OF the delay he
had caused IN opening The session.
OPENING OF THE FOURTH Days PROCEEDINGS.
As soon as he became seated Chief Justice Miller
directed the counsel for the prosecution to proceed
With The case.
MRS. MILA HUTTON,
who was on the stand when the court adjourned
yesterday, was called and took seat In the witness
box. Az yesterday she was dressed In rich, deep
mourning, and she raised her heavy Grape ven to
give her evidence revealed to the gaze OF the
curious an expression Of couutenance al once
pleasing and intelligent She gave her evidence IN
clear, distinct tone OF voice that indicated re-
markab.e degree of seI- possession.
the proceedings by saying that yesterday question
was asked Mrs. Hutton and objection made by the
Sussiion al The time, but would now ask ii and tnen
hear tie grounds of objection.
Mr.. Reyen then sald:..Mrs. HuttGn detail
a mss sase Of % At Ms pae
which Mr.. Van Ness partook part without delete.
rous Effects and the balance of which was set away
IN the refrigerator, and afterwards analysed, and
found to contain tartar emetic." MI. Rcve said 1t
was then intention TO follow up this question, with
when the punch was made, and afterwards had it
Get In the refrigerator for Mr. Van Ness
points OF objection TO be that the case OF Mr.. Van
Ness was not now on trial. and that unless they pro.
this punch. and connect Mrs. Wharton with some
speciiic act ~ relation to It, the evidence could not
Judge Hammond said he dld not understand that
the prosecution proposed 10 show by witnesses that
Mr. Van Ness partook OF this punch. but merely that
the tartar emefic was found in the punch made at
Mr.. steele said they must frs. connect Mrs. whar.
making OF the punch.
Attorney General syster said that they offered
,n 20 az y, c ana
IN that mouse, and such as were being conveyed 10
Abe rooms OF those conined thore by sickness con-
tanned tartar emec. and 10 present TO the jury the
fact that IN tnat glass OF punch prepared ior Van
Ness, who was then SICK III Mrs. wharlon's house
with symptoms sinauiary ike those attending the
death OF General Ketchum, there was large guam
TITS OF that poisonous drug found.
NJ Steele said tna unless they proposed TO show,
Wharton
tnmhler before, the evidence would not be admis
sS Attorney General Syster said they did propose
TO connect Mrs. wharton with putting this poison
MI steele said II that was fact then the case was
for The flrsl time, properly be ore the Court.
Mr.. Hagrcr for defence then proceeded win his
argument against the admssbilitv OF the evidence,
able length ny Mr. Thomas.
that Mrs, Hutton, the witness, had sworn that on
Wednesday, the day on which General Kerchum
OF medicine, and that symptoms followed the
administration, and that be soon after died anu it
for the prosecution 10 snow Mrs Wharton had
within her power and under herScontrol the means
OF creating sacn symptoms oil death. Mrs. ChuDb
haa estined that tartar emetc was bought, and II
the state should undertake 10 SHOW IL was admins.
ther argument; but evidence as to Mrs. Wharton's
having The poison in ner possession was, In their
Judgment competent evidence
how they could decide this question before they
knew that the prosecution were able 10 connect Mrs
wharton with some specific act IN connection with
the putting OF the poison 10 the glass lie went on
20 argue the question, when Associate Judge HAM
IL was competent FOR the State to show mat tartar
emctic was found IN possession and under control
OF the prisoner aud SO lar as ne was concerned the
decision was mat as tartar emetic was found TO
have been given 10 General Ketcnum, II was eyl.
aence 10 show that the prisoner, IN whose house 10
died, had the drug at her command.
CONTINUATION or MRS. uuTfON's EvIDEScE
Mr.. Steele then took his seat, and at thirty.
gan giving her evidence. she testified
that on Wednesday, the 2sth OF June, DR..
Chew ordered milk punch for her brother, Mr..
eugene Van Ness who was sick at Mrs Wharion's
house, and that she brought from her own house
servant al Mrs. Whartons, who put it Ia refifge.
rator IN the cellar, and tnat she afterwards got
the milk from the servant ana assisted
Mrs. Van Ness 10 prepare the punch for
her brother she TOOK q fumnleT ana