The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-13
Mass of Additional Testimony
as to Character.
MEDICAL EXPERTS AT A DISCOUNT.
Generals, Colonies, Lawyers. Clergymen
and Other Impartial and Disinterestcd
Witnesses Testifying to the Kind
ness and Generous Impulses Of
the Prisoners Nature.
AN ACQUITTAL ALMOST CERTAIN

ANNAPOLIS, JAN Ia, 1872.
Memo reDeate Jts1 turpissfnaeS. This ma kim Is
almost as old as the everlasting hills, ana is likely
10 exist as long. That o woman should suddenly
fall from position OF exalted virtue to q depth
which the most depraved criminal has seldom
reached, is an anomaly which the human mind can.
not credit. The annals Of crime furnish no parallel
and the instincts OF human nature revolt at such an
hypothesis. The stern Judgment OF public opinion,
which Is ever more stubborn IN proportion TO Its
1naccurscy, is beginning to relax and spirit
Of tardy justice Is at length manifesting
itself towards the unfortunate lady who for six
weary months has been bowed but not broken
under the weight Of apparently false ccusaton.
All classes, grades professions and occupations In
>sOciety have been marsnaicd upon the witness
sA to r.nuer account Of the private life OF this
martyr to public opinion and the l-considered ef,-
slons OF careless newspapers, and but one sentiment
mas mp to this time been expressed which Is, that
she possessed the qualities OF amlabnity, Kindness
gentleness and humanity In the highest degree.
wish ] could be allowed to say what
Know personally OF her. Persons OF op.
posing political opinions men who have
fought against each other with the tlgerish hat Ia
which only civil strife can arouse; the lawyer who
Thought ne was oppressed by his fellow during the
late war and the barrister who surrendered the
summons OF his country In the hour OF trial. all
nave Joined hands In this instance and have come
10 Annapolis with the common obje CT Of adding
aheir testimony TO the pure ana blameless life which
the gentle prisoner has exhibited TO the world IRON
Der infancy TO the present moment. Persons who
nave all along persisted IN her CUNT, ana their
name Is legion, despite the overwhelming case
which tie defence has established are beginning
70 debate In their own minds whether 1t Is possible
That such lovely woman could deliberately poison
10 death her dearest friend. without conceivable
reason ior 80 hoirid crime This question leads
10 others. The msts OF prejudice are gradually dis
solving and clearer, brighter future opens for the
unhappy prisoner Than she has ever had cause to
hope ior since the Wild and reckless raid Of the Bal
tmore public In last July, Increased and intensified
Oy the exravagant vagaries or the wilder nursing
OF the Maryland University.
This mornings proceedings commenced with the
examination or witnesses to character and a
The Jury looked fresh, ana Tor while were on the
Qslf pire to catch every expression fell from the
tips OF the witnesses. but upon the calling Of
pert TO the stand relapScd into ''seml- tose
state" and so remained until more interesting and
exciting subjects were offered for their considera-
lion. General Hancock stopped In Annapolis last
night and was the recipient OF graceful attentions
from a number OF the more prominent citizens.
His name having been mentioned In connection with
the Presidency, many OF the leading democratic
politicians paid their respects to hlm. The court
ng In large force. Among the audience notice
able Rev. DR.. O. X. Nelson, Vice President OF 81.
Colonel Henry D. Loney, OF The Fifth regiment IL
n. g., and the Rev. Dr. Leeus Mrs. Whartons pas.
tor
MRS. CRAWFORD NELSON TEsrrFY1Na.
Tne Court met al ten O'Clock. with all the Judges
On the Bench. Mrs. Wharton, with hor usual ut.
tendanrs, occupied seats In the OF counsel.
The evidence OF Mrs. Nelson especially notice.
able, as she distinctly contradicted the theory OF
and showed that Mrs. wharton's declaration al
20 his drnggng himself which has been regarded
sectly based upon her own experience She was
s:Worn Immediately upon the opening Of the Court.
who has chung to Mrs. Wharton With the fidelity OF
SISTER IN her misfortune: she entered the hack
w rs asr 70 e' prison
lowed her with unerring affection TO Annapolis and
mas frequently Lighted the forbdding precincts Of
GENIAL smiles and cheerful disposition Mrs.
Nelson Ia 6ne.looking mddlc-aged lady, and gave
t9r testimony in calm, clear and earnest manner,
when impressed all with the convection That she
~ icas ell that no faint nad ever yet blurred The
Sne saio sue was resident OF Hartford county
maryland, ana had known the prisoner for eight or
nine years; iheir iamies had been as intimate as
IaInllcs could DC; she mad had the most ample Cd.
portunities for Knowing her regulations she pos
sessed the qualities OF amabiiy, kindness gentle.
wished sue could be allowed to say What she
Knew personally about her. Mrs Wharton was very
and when sick nc preferred TO be in her nonse.
last February she came from Washington with Mrs
cars started he very uneasy for fear he MAD eft
behind his bottle OF medicine, as he would not be
ray he was not fond OF doctors and preferred his
own medicine, which be took his own way; this
was eaid In the witness house, In conversation.
MISE MARTHA G. sTUMP's TESTIMONY.
Miss Martha O. stump. daughter OF Mr.. Hanil.
GS Sm oI e Creek s% "%
pany, was then called TO the stand. Miss Stump Is
an sAcesd,Ingy pretty and modes, young lady, ana
lWn,ch was really ch2rmlng she said she mad
known Mrs. Wharton for six years, and very init.
after winter, ami bad travelled with her during the
summers she mad The reputation for Mindless.
ANY person SHE ever knew fte witness was 'T mo-,
sToss-eAamined; III fact, but little cross-examina.
&j0n has thus lar been made of OF the witnesses
giving testimony AS TO character.
Nj. CRAWFORD NELSON TEsrIr yrNo.
j. Crawford Nelson, U widely Known architect OF
Baltimore city, member OF tie frm Of Hernsee (
Nelson, next took the stand. Mr. Nelson has been
indefsngable IN MS attentions 10 the prisoner, With
which might aid IN removing The aspersions from
her character. iIe said he resided IN nariord
county, and had known the prisoner about eight
years; tbelr families were extremely intimate; he
had met old acqusIntances Of Mrs. Wharton VINO
bIllty and humanity; her reputation was such az
very few women have ever enjoyed, aud was ~
Elgb az could be.
DR.. cLAupE, TUE HUMOROUS puELlIsT
owing 10 me TACT that Dr. Abram Claude usually
PAD proiesslonal engagements 10 the morning, and
examination was broken In upon ut this point and
the Doctor was CALEB 10 the stand. Dr.. Abram
claude IS dlstinR aisneG physician OF Annapolis
and very widely known and highly appreciated In
this region o. country. he has recently added 10
MS other duties the position OF Professor OF Natural
Sciences In 81. Johns College. Ut. Claude Is the
son OF d. Dennis Claude, deceased, formerly sur.
yeon In the United States Army, and who resigned
MS position 10 ngnt duel with General Winneld
scott. IL will perhaps be remembered that on
that occasion ~ Scott received the IRE OF the Doc.
.or. when, Nv the way, was discharged In the air.
nc slsnuy ducked his mead, when the Doctor called
cut ID Deep base voice. but with Infinite
nnmof;m''No lodging, General, no dodg-
Ing." inc duel ended harmessly for boib
yheies. Inc witness, after stating who he was and
VIA POSITION be occupied, said ne of one tune had
VI seveda wards Of the hospital established
mere curing me war, aud had had ia hjrn "a three
hundred Patients under MS cbarae m one
, mnoi nc se"rs r the evidence Of Drs vii.
ron the symptoms and post.moricn exaYinaiion