Middletown transcript., 1874-11-28
Letter from New Castle.

DEAR TkANSCRIPT. T.-E1tner because
| was Incorrectly informed myself, or
misunderstood my informant. the mis-
take Of saying that Woodward's trial,
for murder. would precede Taylor's
crept into my last communication. By
that error I got the order of the trials
directly reversed w e.7se af'
On Friday morning the trial Of Jos.
II, Taylor. for the murder. BY drown
ing Of Robert A. Mackey, was begun.
and it has s.'dragged its slow length
along" for four whole days; the argu-
ment having been concluded on Tues
day, by prolonging the session Of the the
afternoon quite into the evening--till
$780, The court being sunprepared to
charge the jury at that time they were
returned 10 their room, under custody
of the bailiHs for another. the, fifth
night. The next morning. upon open
ing court, the jury reappeared in their
seats. and received a clear, concise,
fair and impartial charge from Judge
Wootten. the presiding judge They
then went back to their room for de-
liberation, where they remained until
four o'clock. p NJ. when they re-
turned to the court room for repeti-
tion Of the general charge Of the court,
and for special information as to their
power to return verdict for less
grave otfense than murder in the 6rst
degree. Being fully instructed. they
again made their e,rcunt. Everybody
seemed to think that, now, the jury
would not be slow in agreeing upon
their verdict, as the inference was,
that the objections to verdict Of guilty
of the first degree of murder. would
effect compromise upon an offense Of
less turpitude, as soon as they had re-
ceived the assurance Of the court that
they were At liberty to do SO. In that
expectation they were disappointed,
however, rs the jury remained out all
night-tbe sixth that they had suffered
Az. etIc.nrno v:1o
No murder case, within my know
ledge. which has attracted so large a
concourse Of spectators. and developed.
in advance Of trial, 80 much anxiety
and speculation as to its termipation
and result. was ever attended, during
the progress Of its trial. With fewer in
eidents Of an exciting. or, / may say.
interesting character. than this.
It seemed to have been heavy, dull
drag from beginning to end. No one
was brilliant or eloquent enough to ex-
cite thrill Of enthusiasm, and never
vas there an allusion sufficiently
pathetic 10 moisten cheek. The pri-
soner and bis relatives, even, never
seemed conscious Of tho gravity of the
offense with which he stood charged.
or Of the magnitude Of the issue in
vOlvsd sit might affect him and them
AS I write. the time for The depar-
ture Of the mail draws near, and I fear
shall not be able to include the yer.
dict Of the jury. Feg
Our community was grievously
shocked, yesterday. by the announce
ment of the sudden death of Mr.. VIM.
Couper. He has long been valuable
citizen of New Castle By his intelli-
gencs. integrity and spotless life. be
eommsnded universal respect and
esteem; and BY bis kindly and affec-
tionate disposition he drew around him
self many devoted friends. He was, at
the time. member Of the Grand Jury
in the active discharge Of his duties,
and. being taken sick in their room,
died soon after he was conveyed to his
home. Nom Asos.
New Castle, Nov. 26.