Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-12-28
The Michigan Horror.


The Michigan Horror.
The sensation of Northern Michigan is the
terrible murder at Chesaning, near Saginaw,
Michigan. A woman named Smith loves
youug named Alexander. They continue their
ilIict love for more than year. Snish, the
husband is cross and jealous. They want him
out Of the way, aud plot to murder iiu is
planred. Mrs. Smith has sister just mar
ried to one Cargiu. 10 New York State. She
hates Smith, and 80 does her young husband.
Correspondence follows; the letters arc de-
stroyed. They agree to kill the jealous hus-
band, and make Journey to Michigan for the
purpose. Alexander isto stand by with trunk
strap for Cargin TO choke Smlth alter he has
been stunned With CLUB. AT midnight Will,
Mrs. Smith is lying with her husband, Alex
auder leaves his hotel, enters au open window,
meets CaTg,n and his vile, who are stopping lu
Smitb's house, Carglu gets the club and falls
upon the sleeping Smith, WHO gives ooe groan
of despair. The guilty wife arises softly, goes
to her pate 10 au adjolnlug room, and while
the blows cortluue on her husbands bead, and
While the truuk strap is drawn around his gasping
throat she puts her fingers 10 her ears aud presses
the babe to her bosom. Smith Is killed after
q frightful struggle. Once he cries out aud
moaps. Blood flows from bis nose and mouth.
The bed is saturated with the blood. 10 re-
move all traces Of violence Alexander aod Cargo
cut the pasteriog from the wall, put it ln the
bed, and carried the still warm body on the
mattress to the barn; they pitch a ton OF hay
upon it, then set fire to the barn IN two places.
While they are doing this the two women
scrape the bloody floor and headboard 10 the
house with pair of scissors. Suddenly lurid
flames burst from the roof of the barn, Wild
cries echo on the midnight air, the neighbors
hurry from their beds only to sue the red hot
outlines OF the barn slDk into mass OF flame.
The women scream and pull their hair, and 10
convulsive sobs iptorm the appalled, listeners
that Door Mr.. Smith went out to look after his
horses, wheo kick from one OF them disabled
him, broke the lantern and set the barn on
fire. On the day following that plght OF SID
and shame the remnants OF the mattress were
found aud other proofs that could not be ex-
nlained away. Then Alexander, the Don Juan
of the tragedy, confessed. Mrs. Smith corro-
borated his dreadful story, and the trial began.
Carpin has Just been convicted OF murder 10
the first degree. The evidence against his wife
is nov before the jury. after which Mrs. Smith
and her lover Alexander, will take the prison
ers stand. .c,
Cargin declares his Innocence also his wlle's.
She saws she is sick and bed Is allowed her III
omen court. The following is description OF
the strange scene, as given by the Saginaw
Courier of December 70:
Yesterday proved to be an Interesting day
in the Cargu-Smith murder trial and consld-
erable progress was made, though from present
apuearance it is not probable that the case VIII
20 to the jury before Tuesday or wednesday
neyt. Twelve witnesses were called and testl-
6s1 IN the part of the people. The crowd OF
snectators was smaller Than common during
the forenoon, but after the noon recess every
available space outside the bar was occupied,
both on the floor and 10 the gallery. Deputy
Sheriff Rice had plenty to do to keep the
crowd from pressing forward and obstructog
the view of the ladies occupying the seats.
The defendant is becoming generally known as
the sleeping beauty.
She still occupies her easy chair and reclines
ON her left side with her feet upon the rounds
of another chair or resting with hmos extend
ed to full length in the chair itself. she Is
turoed partially toward the jury, but only the
painted right cheek and forehead are visible
to them. Her eyes are shut almost coutlnu-
ally, so that it is impossible to get falr LOOK az
themn.sud duriog the whole day she did not
raise h,r head from the pillow except as she
rose to 90 to her cell. Ooe would naturally Won
der what kind of a nature she must have to re-
main so unmoved at the startling aud blood
cnrdlipg revelations made against her by the
witnesses upon the stand. At times, when no ooe
is kuown to her to be observing. she can De seen
20 peep at the witness with her right eye par
tially opeued the left being hidden from slght
nv the pillow. But the moment she observes
any person looking at her the eye IS quickly
closed and remains so until she again thinks
herself unohserved, apd at 40 time as she SITS
or recoes in her easy way can the eager throns
catch evea glance at her,
After giving the testimony the reporter con-
AT this point 10 the testimony Mrs Carg'r
was seized with one of her frequently occurring
fits, and she began to gasp, stretch, squeal ane
clutch at empty nothiogness with her out
stretched hands, and at once VIM. A. Clark
ir,. laid his hsnd personal---very. upon hers anc
whispered some torcbe utteranees IN ner ear
by which she was made to understand that !
wasn't the right time to put 10 ht to the oes
effect and advantage, whereupon she lnstantl
became quiet an ;.
Mrs. Smith at the close of court was still OF
the stand, and will be again this mornog. W.
could see 30 perceptlble change 10 her testl
mony except as to new facts and her aemesno
was about the same as on the former trial, ex
cent that she testified to her criminal lntnac
with Alexander with little more nerve tina
on the former trial, though yesterday 1t was /,
terspersed with au occasional ggge.-N.
Herald