The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-06-17
The Young Duluth murderess'
from the Duluth Herald.]

The Young Duluth murderess'
from the Duluth Herald]
On Tuesday of last week Miss Hattie
Russell, who about 9 o'clock on Inors,
day evening. March 4th, 1875, shot and
killed the late John Pugsley, whom sne
alleged seduced her, was placed IN the
criminal dock to meet the charge brought,
the indictment on which she was to be
tried beino that of murder in the first
was obtained on Wednesday morning
after some delay, and the examination OF
witnesses began, the prosecution con-
Quoted by county attorney M: 5. Stew,
art, assisted by j. D. Ensign, Esq, and
Judge E. f. Parker. The shooting ana
subsequent death of Pugsley was circum-
stantially and substantially proved
Messrs. II. N. Setter and D. G. Cash
acted as counsel for the defendant, MI. y.
making quite an eloquent opening speecn'
and. after admitting the shooting, they
set up the plea Of emotional insanity,
superinduced by hereditary talnt ana
the fact of her ruin by the deceased pro-
ducing witnesses to prove that one
of the uncles of the prisoner was
at present in a lunatic asylum in Ohio,
and that. some years ago, on the aeatn OF
an elder sister, the prisoner herseiI was III
a crazed condition for several DAYS. Iney
also adduced testimony to snow lnat MI.
Pugsley had, on one occasion at least, ad'
m;fted the seduction. On rebuttal, how
ever. the prosecution brought witnesses
to testify that Mr.. Pugsley was not IN
Moorhead at the time Of his alleged ad-
mission of the offensc, and in fact that he
was never in that town at all. The other
testimony in the case was OF little I'M
portance.
The summing up began on Monday, by
j. D. Ensign, Esq.,, who gave an elaoor'
ate and clear review Of the case, severely
critlcising some of the testimony ad-
duced by the defense, particularly that
portion relating to deceased's confession,
and also commenting somewhat invectlve-
" against the evident sympathy for the
prisoner. who, since the trial began, has
had the countenance of large number OF
the most respectable ladies of the city,
who were in daily attendance during the
entire proceedings. After Mr.. E. S argu-
ment, the court adjourned, Mr.. Setter
making the closing speech on
Tuesday morning. Mr.. SIS re-
marks, which were delivered with
great concseness and critical ability,
elected the most profound attention from
the very large crowd in attendance. His
earnestness showed he felt the greatest
possible interest in the cause in which ne
was engaged, and the cleverness with
which he illustrated the various points
- L -. "a Gov
for him additional fame as an attorney
At the conclusion Of his argument, Judge
Stearns, in feeling and candid manner
charged thejury, in doing which he Cal
led attention to the great Importance o
freeing their minds from all prejudice
and giving the subject their mos
serious deliberation. Judge S. defined
what was and what was not to be con
sidered as emotional insanity, and CAV
the law on that plea of defence, remark
ing that if the jury believed the defend
ant had, through deliberate malice, sian
Mr.. Pugsley, then she was guilty OF
horrible murder. and deserved to be con
victed and punished; but, he added tina
if on the contrary, they believed In
dreadful deed was committed by the prs
oner. when her mind was diSordered, an
wrought up to wildness by her allcge
ruin by the deceased, or even under tn
delusion that he had ruined her, the
she was not guilty under the law. III
charge was lengthy, and called forth a
amount Of quiet comment, pro ana COZ
but. taken as a whole, we think 1T gay
full satisfaction to large majority
those present, who considered 1t not on
learned but just. The jury retired
about quarter to II, and returned the
verdict Of mot Guilty" at about fo'
o'clock, as follows:
We. the Jury in said case do hnd the d
PENDANT, Hattie Russell, not guilty OF I
offense charged in the indlctment, on
ground of Insanity. ANSELL SMITH,
Foreman
The extreme youth Of the you
mother. who is hut Is years of age, q
quite pretty. called forth the largest P,
sible amount of sympathy, sympatl
quite natural and not at all engender
by any i'll feeling or disrespect for t
memory Of the unfortunate victim OF 3
terrible aim, for he was person Of
cellent heart, much liked, full Of genui
charity, business probity and goo
heartedncss.
Hattie was not in court at the time I
verdict was announced, having been tax
RI the iail by Deputy Sheriff Meini
shortly after the jury retired. On bel
informed of their decision by MIR. NJ. s
is reported as having tainted in the ar
of his wife, who has treated her m
humanely and kindly since her impris'
ment. Mr.. Setter, who worked so ca
estly and charitably to save her, went
to the prisoner as soon as the verdict
known. and found his client in an aim
insensible condition, in the arms OF N
Me;n;nr. the news Of her acquittal b
ing reached her through Mr.. N.
moments mo previous to Mr.. setner's cal. II
AT the opening of the court on W
nesday morning, the prisoner was broa
into court and discharged.
Judge E. F. Parker tenderiy aom
ished her as to her future conduct IN
Judge Stearns likewise made lew to'
Inn rcvuarEs after which she was u