Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1872-01-26
Trial OF Mrs. wharton.

Inc trial OF Mrs. wharton, IN the Circuit
Court of Anne Arundel County, was brought
to close on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock
and given to the jury, who remained out all
night. being unable to agree upon verdict
They passed the nightin the court room, and
early on Wednesday morning were still divi-
ded. At about. ten o'clock, however, the jury
agreed upon their verdict. The Court soon
after that hour. assembled. Mrs. Wharton
took her seat in the prisoners box, with Mr.
Crawford Nelson at her side, and by them
stood Miss Nellie Wharton with Mr.. Thomas
one Of the counsel. The jury being called
and the usual questions asked by the Clerk
of the Court, the foreman pronounced the ver-
|dct-"NoT GUILTY" As the foreman an
swered there was slight manifestation Of
applause, which was instantaneously checked
Mrs. Wharton appeared calm and as motion
less as ever.
There is another Indictment against Mrs
Wharton for assaulting and attempting to
poison Mr.. Eugene Van Ness. This case has
been continued until the third Monday in
April. This ofense being bailable one,
the Court decided to take the prisoners own
recognizance in $4,000, with two sureties in
$4,000 each, or one surety in $4,000. The
bail was promptly given and Mrs. Wharton
retired with her friends from the court room.
In our brief resume of the case we quote
from the Annapolis Gazette: "Mr. Revell, our
States Attorney, began the argument on
Tuesday aud closed on Wednesday (the 17th).
His speech was universally admitted to have
been able, logical and forcible, and has raised
him to the first rank at our bar. Indeed, the
skill and learning he has evinced throughout
as the States Attorney, in the management of
this exciting and important trial, have gained
for him reputation as an advocate that few
men of bis age have attained. Mr. Revell
was followed by Mr.. Hagner for the defence,
in a speech of about five hours, which fully
met the expectations of his friends and added
another proof of his great powers as lawyer.
Mr.. Thomas of the Baltimore bar followed
Mr.. Hagner,. in lengthy and able defence of
the accused, and closed on Friday afternoon.
Mr.. l. hewitt Steele, also of the Baltimore
bar, followed Mr.. Thomas. Mr. Steele spoke
until about halfpast two o'clock on Friday
afternoon, when, becoming exhausted, the
court adjourned. On Saturday morning be
resumed his argument. and at noon again be-
came exhausted, and the court was compelled
to adjourned over to Monday" Mr. Steele
resumed his argument on Monday morning
and concluded at 1890 P. NJ, when Attorney
General Syester commenced the closing speech
and spoke until abeut p NJ. On Wednes-
day morning last, Mr.. Syester resumed aud
spoke till 2P. M. His speech was through
out marked with great ability and eloqueuce.
The following review of the case is from
the correspondence Of Che Sun:
The trial of Mrs. Wharton for the murder
of General Ketchum has been the most mem
orable event of the kind in this State for thir-,
ty or thirty-6ve years. No trial has ELECTED
so much public interest since the blue Ratchet
case of Stewart, or the later and more brutal
tragedy for which Adam Horn was hanged.
1t is now one month two weeks and FIVE days
since Mrs. Wharton's trial began in Annapd-
lis, She was arraigned in the Circuit Court
for Anne Arundel county December 4th, 1871,
having been indicted 10 Baltimore August
14th, 1871. .agE3
Mrs. Wharton was detained under arrest in
her own house, on the 10th of July last, and
six days afterwards the Grand Jury having
made formal presentment, she was convey
ed to the Baltimore city Jail, where she re-
manned until the FIRST OF December last, when
shecwas removed to the Annapolis Jail. She
has therefore been in duress over six mouths.
though her Imprisonment, owing to the devo-
ton Of her daughter ana the consideration of
her :custodians, has been deprived of much of
thea dtsary discomfort ordinarily experienced
BY persons under similar circumstances, Her
trial has occupied forty-two days actually, in