The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-07
THE WEST FARMS MURDER.

Trial OF James Ennis In Westchester
County for the Murder OF His Wife,
Another Potent Temperance Lecture
Affecting Scene In Court-The Infa nj
Child Of the Prisoner Testifying to Hi,
Guilt.
The trial of James Ennis indicted for the murder
of his wife, Ann Ennis, at West Farms
Westchester county, was commenced yesterday
in the Court Of Oyer and Termner a,
White Palms. before Justice A. b. Tappen and the
Justices of Sessions. As the particulars Of the
crime, which was perpetrated, as alleged, on the
night of the 18th ultimo, were duly published In
the HERALD, 1t is unnecessary at this time to re-
Capitulate them. The prisoner and his victim it
appears were both addicted to the frequent
and excessive use OF ardent spirits, which often
suited in fierce quarrcls between them, and in
these latter 1t Is asserted that the prisoner occa
sionally came Off second best. On the night in
question, however, the brutal husband obtained
his revenge, with fists and feet he, according to
the testimony Of his own daughter, literally
pounded the unfortunate woman into eternity. The
prisoner is stout built, repuslve individual, about
forty years OF age aud bears traces Of having led
decidedly rugged existence. The prosecution was
conducted by District Attorney Briggs, while
Messrs. Larkin and Angel appeared for the de-
fence rTt .T7
THE TESTIMONY OF A DAUGHTER OF THE PRISONER.
The first witness called In behalf OF the people
ten years. Having convinced the court that She
was aware or the Importance OF telling the truth,
Mary, who was weeping bitterly, testified az fol.
lOws:-
James Ennis is my father, and Ann Ennis che
deceased was my mother; father ana mother
drunk ON Tuesday morning At halfpast
nine nine, O'Clock; he went to- bed; in a little
MY mother s the soase the time mother
FIRST locked the door, but afterwards sent brother
John out for oysters father came In again shortly
after; he went over 70 the rocking chair
kcsea II 0 ovsr tried to strike mother nA WITH
knife; he then took the scissors and struck her
rocking chair and l hid the scissors behind the
stove; father 'lu al.
BEGAN TO CHOKE MOTHER
when she was taking her last breath, for fear the
people would hear her; he TOOK her by the halr,
bit her hand, twisted her arms and feet, and
kicked her on the head, in the face and on the
twelve O'Clock he commenced kicking her
again, and then he went to sleep; he afterwards
when went to bed, father was asleep on the
lounge; at nine O'Clock he awoke me and said,
mother is dead don't sleep any more;" blood was
on the floor where mother lay; there was ,
lA % ~tf PAIL FULL OF BLOOD; N
father made me take It up with my hands and put
1t in pail and then carry 1t to the water closet;
me and made me put 1t In the water closet; my lit
tie sister wiped up the water after the blood
was taken away; father took mother by the hair,
raised her head and, after putting piece OF clean
carpet down. sOused her head down again mother
was alive then; she had one eye open; her head
Although crOss-examlned with unnecessary
severity by counsel for the Defence little Mary,
amid her sobs adhered to her artless story OF the
stamped her father murderer.
Several other witnesses were examined as TO
the disposition and Incorporate habits Of the pris-
oner after which the prosecution rested, when the
case was adjourned until to-day.