The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-16
Trial Of the Alleged Mnrleress Of
George w. Watson.
THE TRAGEDY At MERR|LL'S BUILDING
The Defence Admitting the Killing, Yet No Wit
nesses Of the Fatal Deed-Great Rush to the
Brooklyn Court House Yesterday-Ap-
pearance of the Prisoner in Court
The First Days Proceedings.


II having been announced for several days previ-
ously that the trial would certainly take place. there
was a great rush for the Court House yesterday
morning, and long before the Court opened the
room was densely crowded, ana officers were sta
toned at the door to prevent the entrance Of all
persons except lawyers, reporters and others hav-
ing business there The upper corridor OF the
Court House was crowded by those who were
able to gain admission.
Within there was very motley assemblage, COM
posed OF judges, lawyers, policemen, politicians and
loafers, with fair sprinkling Of ladies. The bench
was occupied by Supreme Court Judge Tappen pre-
siding, County Judge Henry A. Moore ana Associate
Justices Stephen l. Voorhees, and Barnet Johnson.
Through the courtesy OF Mr. Gerard NJ. Stevens, the
Clerk, the reporters were provided with excellent
accommodations large table placed directly In
'front.' of the bar being set apart for their use.
Mrs. Hyde was taken from the Raymond Street
Jail to the Court House In charge of two officers at
an early hour. She was provided with seat be-
side her husband "a young man, about twenty
three years of age) in corner OF the room allotted
to prisoners, and as soon az her presence became
known every eye in the vast assemblage was Ill
rected towards her. She was closely yelled, how
ever, and remained so during the day. Her father,
an old man, was also present.
The prisoner Is n gOOd-looking, not handsome,
young woman, apparently about twenty years of
age with large, nstrous black eyes, dark hair and
a rich complexion. She was neatly attrcd In
dark coored dress, with black silk oveiskrt, black
cloth sack, lace collar ana black velvet jockey hat.
She wore gold earrings and several gold rings on
the fingers of her left hand. Her manner was quiet
ana collected under the circumstances though at
times she appeared uneasy and twirled her fingers
nervousIy. She subsequently took seat beside
her counsel, with whom she shook hands and en-
tered into brief conversation.
EX-Distrct Attorney Samuel D. Morris, Thomas
Z. Pearsall, General Catlin and r. Ready appeared
Winchester Brtton and his assistant, Edgar NJ. Gull
len, and Levi Faron appeared for the people.
THE MURDER OF GEORGE W. WATSON.
The circumstances attending the killing of Mr..
Watson are probably yet familiar to the readers OF
the HERALD. Mr.. Watson was engaged In the
manufacture Of ladies' hair, nets In Merrlll's
and First streets, Eastern District and
among his employees was the prisoner Fanny HYDE
the prisoner, who afterwards married young man
employed in Appetons' publishing house. in the
macy II is alleged, however that the deceased
still continued to pursue her with the view Of re-
newing their previous relations, and that while In
fit of frenzy, on the 10th OF January last she shot
dead, A at the s' foot of wa staircase At
through his neck No one witnessed the shooting,
but the prisoner afterwards went to the Fourth
street police station, where she confessed that she
had shot Watson, and delivered herself into the
tody Of the officers. Her brother, who accompanied
her. handed the officer in charge Sharp's revolver,
The CorOner's inquest and Indictment by the Grand
Jury followed, ana yesterday, after one postpone
ment the case came on LOT trlai. MI; watson was
u married man. and left a daughter about eighteen
years Old.
THE PROCEEDINGS YESTERDAY.
panel OF $50 jurors had been summoned for the
occasion. considerable time WAS consumed In
hearing the excuses OF Jurors, but shortly after
eleven O'Clock all had been disposed Of and the
counsel In the case signied their readiness to pro-
coed with the trial. The names OF the witnesses on
both sides having been called, the work of cmpan-
cling jury was commenced. The first man called
was William W. I,Ouss, who was accepted rs the first
Juror The second Juror was not obtained so easily.
Those Jurors who were disqualified from serving In
this case sent over TO the Special Term room,
where Judge Pratt was holding Circuit, to serve
there.
Mr. Morris. on the part of the defence, conducted
the examination as to the competency of Jurors,
and District Attorney Britton performed a similar
duty for the people.
AT two O'Clock the jury was secured. They are:-
W. w. Rouss Io4 Court street.; James J. Tapscott,
"A Columbia Heights; Martin J. Cooley, 5l5 Henry
street; Charles r. Boomer, 81 Devoe street; John
Cregeir, pa Rodney street; Henry Hewett, 295
Eighteenth street; Charles G. Curtis, go Henry
street; Hugh Allen, 1S9 Harrison street; James NJ.
Rowan, 55j Pacific street; Jacob II. Brown, 2l2
Wilson street: John r. Dayton, 1863 Schermcrh0rn
street; Alfred Armstrong, 47 south Ninth street.
The Court then took recess for three-quarters Of
an hour.
After the rcassembling Of the Court District At
torney Britton briefly opened the case for the peo-
pie, reciting the facts and defining the law Of
murder.
THE TESTIMONY FOR THE PEOPLE.
DIR. Joseph Dreamer was called as the first witness
by Mr.. Brtton, when
Mr. Norris said that the defence admitted that Mr..
Watson came to his death from pistol shot wound,
inflicted upon him at the hands Of Fanny Hyde; that
she confessed that fact, and that In company with
her brother she purchased the pistol from f. J.
Stowcll
District Attorney Britton offered diagram of the
premises which was admitted.
DR.. Dreamer failed to appear.
GEORGE W. WATSON DEAD.
Ellen Curley was then sworn for the people, and
testified that she lived at No. u South Sixth street.
and the Goth OF January she worked at Merrill's
building; she knew the deceased, Mr.. Watson; be-
tween eleven and twelve O'Clock on the day in ques
in the buildings we then left there about ten minutes
to twelve O'Clock, but the whistle had not yet blown
she went to Division avenue, about two
before the whistle had blown; she thought
she was gone from seven to eight minutes; when
she returned her attention was attracted by Mrs
Hyde standing at the head OF the first stairs knock
ingat the door; about two minutes afterwards wit
ness saw deceased lying across the foot Of the
Ond flight OF stairs and then went In a room the
second floor: there were no other persons save wit
ness, defendant and Mr. Watson present on the
she went out that morning witness saw deceased
and Mrs. Hyde convcrsng and working at one
table.
O. Was there anything unusual In their appear
ance?
Mr.. Morris objected.
Q. Did you see anything In their manner different
from usualY A. No.
Objected to-
Judge Tappan directed witness TO state what she
saw there.
Witness replied that she saw them talking to-
gether up to the time she left.
q. Was there any time at which Mr.. Watson was
accustomed to leave the premises before the whistle
blewY
objected to, and objection oyerruled. Exception
taken.
Witness replied that she generally went out about
five minutes 10 twelve O'Clock and remained out
until half-past twelve o'clock she did not know
whether the prisoner was accustomed to leave at
any particular time before the whistle blew.
District Attorney Morris cross-examined and
called the witness attention 10 her testimony be-
fore the Coroner, when she stated that she saw
MRS. HYDE wRINaING HER HANDS,
&C. Objected to objection sustained. There was
no further examination Of the witness.
Mary Kelly OF "a Fifth street. who worked on the
third ioor of that building, said she saw Mr.. Wat.
son and Mrs. Hyde there on the morning In Ques-
tiop, conversinp together, and working up to ten
minutes to twelve O'Clock; after the last witness
left, at about ten minutes TO twelve O'Clock. Mr..
Watson also LETT Mrs. Hyde also left before Mr.
Watson did. and wore shawl on her shouldar4. at