The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-13
THE JERSEY WIFE MURDER
Solomon David Moore on Trial for His Life
at MOFfistown.
The Case for tho Prosecution Resting Upon Cir
cumstantial Evidence-A Peculiar
Defence Expected

ticipation OF the trial OF Solomon David Moore COM
Ing on was very large, every seat in the room
being occupied. There was q great array Of law
yers the case presenting SO many features OF
criminal interest that even those members of the
legal fraternity who were not directly interested
In 1t made 1t point to be present. It Ia
rumored that the defence OF Moore viii be
very peculiar one, 1t being the Intention Of
counsel to endeavor to prove that the murder was
committed by one of the principal witnesses for
the prosecution. There is q celebrated Irish case
on record In the law courts, In which O'Connell
was counsel for the Defence when the same tactics
1t Is said that the counsel for Moore in posses
sion OF some strong testimony, which will not be
without ITS weight upon an intelligent jury.
Moore was brought into Court at three O'Clock,
amid breathless silence, by the Sheriff. He is a
man OF about five feet seven inches high, forty
years old, strongly built and wry. His face Is not
indicative OF numerous disposition, and no one
looking ut him could imagine he was 30 charged
with
THE FEARFUL CRIME
for which he is to be put on trial for his life. He
wears no whiskers or moustache, the eyes are
deep set, his hair is fair and the whole appearance
OF the man, while not Vicious is indicative of
low order OF intelligence. He manifested no con-
Germ at the perilous position in which he Is placed,
looking steadily on while the proceedings were
being opened
AT three O'Clock the case was called on ana the
jury panel read over. Judge Dalrymple was the
presiding Judge, assisted by the two associate
Judges OF the district. For the State there appeared
the prosecuting attorney, +. A. De Mott and the
Attorney General, Mr. Gchrist. For the defence
A. Mills, James J. Cutler and Stephen H. Little.
There was great number OF ladies present, who
watched the case with intense interest.
The jurors were first called and ranged In the
two front seats.
THE FOLLOWING JURY
was selected alter some delay abraham D. Budd,
Isaac Parsons, Luther M. Baird, John M. Stark,
Samuel Baldwin, Louis Kutcher. Henry II. Sutton.
Garrett Q. Smith, George JacObus James M.
Leonard, John d. Courtray and William Thorpe:
The witnesses for the prosecution were then called
and answered to their names:-
Mr.. De Mott stated the case for the people. The
prisoner was charged with having willuy MUIR
Der Thanksgiving night. On that night the
miners who inhabited the little hamlet in which
was be unaer the ire
duence OF liquor and was seen going towards
MS Rreyl0us about ten
enieebled woman and cripple, was also seen
going towards her home on a crutch. The next
morning two little boys, who were out rabbit
shooting, the first OF the season having fallen
the previous night, came upon the dead body OF
wt on wi pair Of oSg
the house was examined, 1t was found that the
furniture 1t contained
WAS COVERED WITH BLOOD,
and there were many other evidences OF severe
and bloody struggle. The post.mortem examina-
with heavy boot Moore had disappeared i1 and
was nowhere to be found, but some tokens were
found and portions OF clothing. lie was in the
three weeks after he was arrested In Philipsburg.
owen McElhern, a boy OF thirteen years of age
was the first witness sworn and testified as iol
lows:-I live In Pine Hill, close to David Moore's
house; was out with my brother tracking rabbits
on the Goth Of November; when we came close to
the house OF Moore we saw u body lying across the
brook; we went home and told my mother, who
told James Council to go down and see who 1t was
track OF blood from the house to where the body
lay; my brother John went down to Dover and told
Squire Gage about the matter
Cross-eXamined-There was path leading across
the brook to where the body lay; had been there
before tracking rabbits; live about a quarter
tracks from the wheel house to where the
body lay the snow was co0red with blood; the
body was lying on small rock about q step from
the brook; her feet was right against the stream,
John McEhern brother of the last witness, was
next sworn. His evidence was as fOOwS:- IL was
tracking rabbits on the morning OF the 29th OF No
vcmber; when l came to the brook 1 saw
told mother;I then went to Terence ConnolI ys
and Dave Moore was there told them there was
a body found at the brook; Mrs. Connolly said,
"Dave, you had better go and see who it Is; you
may have done some harm last night;'' Dave went
out Of the house and went in another direction in
CrOss-eXamined--I went to Dover about half past
eleven O'Clock, and saw Dave Moore standing on
the street; ala not speak to him; he had his
Bridget Connolly was next sworn, and testified
live near Mine Hill, and know the prisoner David
Moore, and knew his wife when she was living;
Moore was in my house the morning after Thanks.
giving Day; ! saw him the previous day; while
Moore was In Johnny McElhern came In aud said
there was somebody
LYING AT THE BROOK DEAD;
said to Moore, "You had better go home, you
may have done something wrong;' he got up
and walked out, and thought he was going home,
but he went the other road; Moore's son slept In
my house Thanksgiving night ;his ather mad lett our
hnu w q nv from m nd
sent him upon that morning.
Cross-examned-My husband keeps a drinking
saloon; the miners and David Moore and his wife
sometimes came to our house; David Moore was in
the saloon on thanksgiving night; he got quart
OF whiskey and then l went to bed he paid for
the same afternoon; she remained about twenty
minutes; she drank nothing while she was there;
/ did not notice Thomas Madden In the house at
the time.
At this stage the trial was adjourned until half
past nine O'Clock this morning.