The New York herald., 1876-01-27
THE BROOKLYN WIFE MURDER.

IHE BlLOOhLlN WIFE M MOhDEh.
THE DEFENCE LABoRING TO PROVE INSANITY
HIS AGED MOTHER TELLS THE STORY OF HIS
LIFE.
The Kings County Court of Oyer and Terminer was
occupied yesterday in the trial of Joseph j. Burroughs
for the murder OF his wiio, Elizabeth, Saturday No
vember 13, 1875 Judge Pratt and Associate Justices
OF Sessions occupied the Bench Tho prisoner main
tanned the listess diptic expression which has
characterized his appearance Tho opening
Of the trial AT O'Clock the Court and the jurors
fled into their seats in the. jury STALL
George Hopkins, OF 675 sixth avenue, had been
member Of the same division of the Sons of Tempe
rance with Joseph Burroughs for over one year; hal
spoken to him ON the subject Of the reconciliation with
his wife; witness had written letter for Burroughs to
hts wife, prisoner told him October that he was
anxious TO live with MS WHO again u ms WHO wanted
$40 or $50 prisoner said he would willingly give 1t 10
her.
Isaac s Bogart, OF No 256 Eighteenth street. testi-
fed that October - the prisoner came TO Witness
mother TO get her TO effect reconciliation between
him and deceased; November witness mother went
to Burroughs and prayed with him; the prisoner
prayed, 'sBlessed Lord have mercy on my soul My
dear wfc forgive me ~ he said he loved his wife, but
she great trouble 10 him; he said, ''Brother
Bogart do you know where was yesterdays was
lust that much out of helmcasuring of two joints OF
his first finger he said 'whon mother was laying the
mother drew the knife from aud cut her fingers !"
he said hs head seemed TO be fun OF devils, and he
had prayed that they might be taken away" the
prisoners manner very strange on the night OF the
prayer.
Mrs. Lucreiia Burroughs, mother OF the prisoner,
tcStiaod that she seventy-two years Of age The
prisoner is thirty nne and was born on Long Island
Tho father Of Joseph kept shoe store his father had
brother who lived ia Prince street, whore he died
twenty years ago; he committed suicide by TAX
ing poison that brother had son, John, who was for
time insane about four years ago.
Mitness-When Joseph, the prisoner, was fourteen
years Of age, he fell on stoop ut the corner OF Gold
and Willoughby Streets and sustained injury TO the
back OF his head the injured part formed absccss,
aud his ear ran continuously he grew dull aftcr
that that he never learned TO read WRITE though he
had been bright boy at school previous TO the fall
he was first married eight nine years ago
TO Maggie Camp. by whom he had two children;
only ono child is now living; they lived happily TO.
gcthcr; he vas always kind, drunk or sober; his
second wife, Elizabeth kinsman, boarded at the house
OF witness for eighteen months previous 90 her mar
riagc which occurred three months after tho death Of
the first wife; their acquaintance very slight till
after the death OF Margaret
Witness did not know that Elizabeth and Joseph were
to be married TIL thcy welded; tho eldest child
by the first wife named Phcbc she Is years old;
know Joseph 10 go two years without drinking: that
was three years ago; they last lived together in
Seventeenth street; he was always industrious,
although at times he would drink; saw him so
that he not able TO take care OF HIMSELF he
always good naturcd; rocollcct the Grst separation
between himself and hls last wife. she wrotc TO him
then 20 come ana take her home-that her mother did
not treat her we'll; witness the letter, and read
che wrote Josph every night so that he got ID when
he homo in tho evening" they married in
April, 1859 and their child Is now four years old; in
Seventeenth street they lived for six months; two
years AFTER The frat separation they again parted, and
came together again. witness never had known him 10
be aught ose than kind IN bis manner 70 his wife he
regular in his habits OF returning homo az night
when his wlio len him last he came 70 his rcther apd
said "sno bad tJsl Ser ss5Ty, bu! FhAt no
had suffered no tongue could tells: stii
he SAID 'ne loved herr" be frequently said hc