National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1878-03-29
THE HORNER TRIAL.
TRIAL OF rHOMAS CLAYTON ron
KILLING THE DOCTOR.

The Testiaony Brisss Out the Faot that the
Homer Family Got Up Rather Gross on
tho Fatal Morning II And that Ciaxton
Killed His Father-in-Law During . Do
nestle Broii-The Jury Out All Night.
Tho trial Of Thomas Ciaxton. indicted for man.
slaughter in killing his fstherin-ia william Hor.
ner, on the morning OF the 10Th Of February last
took place before Justice wylle yesterday In the
Criminal Court
District. Attorney Wells appeared for the Govern.
menl, and Colonel George b. Corkhiil for the de-
fcndant
The process Of smpanellins q Jury was under.
taken; but Immediately afer twelve men were
sworn on their roid dire chock was met with.
Colonel Corkhill asked TO exercise right that he
claimed was his Of examining each juror as to
his qualifications as juryman To st upon the case
The court denied the eounsels right unless no
nrst CHALLENGED the Juror
Exception was taken 10 The ruling.
COMBS, John silence James W Sears, samuel Y.
n. OH William il. Daw, Robert langley, John a.
ioons, Matthew j. Laushlln, and Lawrence Gard.
HoRHER's DAUGHTER.
The frst witness examined was Miss Emma Hor.
ner. daughter Of the deceased. Her father resided
on Virginia avenue, and Thomas Claxton was her
brotheF;In.lsy. They al resided at the same
years Of age The day Of the occurrence her father
rose At eight o'clock, but did no, have breakfast
at eight O'Clock. Mr.. Ciaxton and the daughter
were there sitting by the stove talking Her father
came in and began fssing with her, and said ifshc
her. He then asked the child to take paper next
dI3r, and the little one said 81 won't" Her father
said "Ill be damned 4 bring yop home any more
What are you cursins that child ferr' Her father
said he was tired Of supporting him, and that he
had lived on HI I'm long enough. She had her
back to them, aud when she turned round her ia.
ther was lying In the middle Of the floor dead, aud
TIC poker rolling Ing from Of his SHOULDER sIi,u,
said, " DO not know what have done" He then
went up stairs. put on his coat and len the house.
besides the three, excepting tic little child. '
CroSsexamined: 1t was not poker that was
used but
cuRLISG.IRoS.
which belonged To the witness
Dr. J. French Hartigan performed the autopsy.
and testified to the cause Of death. The prisoner
stated at tho inquest that he was querrellng with
his nther and IN the heat Of passion he picked up
the iron and threw Il at him
This closed the evidence for tho Government.
For the defense.
THE PRISONERS TESTIMONY.
, Thomas Ciaxton, the accused, was sworn: On
the morning Of February q he came down stats
about eight O'Clock and Mr.. HOTner at halfpnst
eight a. M. lie was sitting at the stove knocking
the iron on II. Mr.. HOTner asked his daughter II
she had not sold some medicine. She said, " No"
He replied that she had that DR. Christani told
MIN tliAl ne Two DDttS. SnC tail tlnt she
sold one bottle and spent the money. He SAIL.
You -, will throw this cup nj your head,
Tod damn YOU you are no good 10 me, and | will
drive you out Of this house" She replied, You
need not do that, for will leave the house"
Mr.. Horncr then tnrned to the child of the wit.
ness and asked the little boy N carry paper next
ID you, won't bring you home any more
ginger.snap.,", The witness Told him not 70 talk
Ia the child IN that way. Us he was too young to
understand. Then Mr.. IiOrner pitched into him
called him O. d. liar and got up with clinched
fist rs II coming toward him lie rise, at the
time swinging the Iron IN his hand Mr.. HOruer
then said TO the witness that he had lived on Of
him long enough, and that he had got to do some
thing, to which he rcpiiei that he was doing the
best he could.
Mr.. Horner then said he was not halfa man. or
he would not have permitted his wife to have len
home. The witness said he did not want her to 10
IN, but II was his constant qunrrcling that caused
her do IT, Mr.. Honor said II was G. d lie. At
Ihut time he was swinging the iron aud IL slipped
out Of his hand and struck Mr.. lTOrner.
On cross examination he gave The dimensions Of
the room. and sIUwed that he could not get out of
1t without coming within two feet Of Mr.. ilJrncr
who stood in n threatening attitude before him
The following witnesses te'tihed Us tn SUOi char
actrr: James Hughes. J. W. Mcknight, Richard
Gross, and Richard ClsXton.
This closed the testimony on both sides.
Arguments were made on both sides, the Judge
delivered his charge. and ut fifteen minutes past
two p IN. the jury retired. Alcr being out for Que
hour aud hall, and not agreeing the court took
recess until the jury sent for him
The jury,rrmaincd out all night.