The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-10-04
THE UNION MIL TRAGEDY.
The Prisoners Version of what he Did while
he was "Insane The Counsers Plea.

he WINS "Insane THE CounseIs Plea.
The trial of John Henry Schwamb for
the murder Of VIM. II. Bette in Union Hin on
the 4th OF August last was continued yesterday.
Mrs. Schwamb, whose husband IL a distant re-
lative Of the prisoner, keeps a little lager beer
saloon in Union Hill. On the day mem
toned the prisoner, her brother, called
TO see her, accompanied by his nine-yesr-
old daughter. They shook hands cordially,
but Schwamb seemed excited and nctt d
strangely and said times were hard with
him. He said her husbands father owed him
money She told him not to speak Of II when
her husband returned home. as he would not
Ike II aud II might roise quarrel Tie became
excited raised stick to strike her; took hold
lie broke away from her and ran out into the
back yard. She followed him out on the stoop.
lie drew pistol and fired at her. Bette. VINO
lived 10 the house adjoining, hearing the report
aud woman's screams ran In. He passed to
the rear door Just as schwamb nred again, and
the bullet hit Bette ia the neck. lie was car
ried to mis- owe house and died after Hfty-one
hours. Yesterday the prisoner testified:
bs .S Sf have ay sd e1 CT S are hvs bee "a
poor health Tor 4 past Eve or six years. Have aacss
frightened aud as though ehesins Dafies these at.
me- very Dad Y and H WEI e dry Hy ease "U he
siiacks ! take swallow OF gin Have had very
rea ana 6ad only nIie food Inc ndof SYt told me
rent o tae dn s Would turn me OUT T' %hcP vent %s
out TO looK Tor wurN hardly knew what was about
had pistol on mat morning borrowed. INTENDED
60 commit euiclGe II did not get new
ried pistol before bad no Intention q shooting
ANYBODY else VIA IT, visited Bacrs saloon, ami drank
there, ana after that WAS shglt intoxicated. Was on
good terms with my sister III Union Hill. Mnen got
there size asked me how was getting SAID poorly
khe asscd me " would Ike drink. anu sald yes
There was man M N re, the one nclitve am &C
drank one giles u beer. Asked my ster where my
other sitter wAsi the sail IN BROOKLYN asked why
they din not come over to my pacc she said bee
N they came over | Won stir M the old fuss 1
brought her up. aud she thought mi ght up1raid her.
she thcu iii her husband WOud put me Out. | never
had any trouble with hun, aud asked her what had
done 10 detrve such treatment after all mad done for
ihtm. Tue IRE came In my eyes, aud KNOW nothing
tutthcr do II remember raising stick. aud not
think had one IN my hAni. 10 not know why ehot
the pistol. uid hot wish to shoot sister
hruthcrin.aw. do not knov how many shots nrcd,
only Nisded 10 kiu myself. only remember having
me.
Several other witnesses were examined. and
Messrs. Randolph Nroom summed up for the
defence. They demanded his acquittai ON the
grounds OF Insanity that poverty, lack Of work,
and the prospect OF being turned out OF his
home. added to dyspepsia. from which he was
suffering, had made Tim temporarily insane.
District Attorney GarretsOn very energetically
claimed n verdict Of murder In the nrst degree.
The prisoner was very nervous, and cried Bit
terry during he trial. lie Is quiet, respectable
looking German. lie cannot speak Ene lish, and
gave his testimony through an interpreter