The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1878-12-20
THE MASON TRIAL.

The case of the State VS.. Luther Mason,
indicted for the murder of Amber Jones, on
the 18th of last September, by striking him
on the head with stone. came up for trial in
the Circuit Court for Hartford county, on
Monday.
Amber Jones was the owner Of u house.
near Jarrctteville. occupied by Luther Mason
and his brother William Mason, with their
families. On the morning of the day named
Jones called on Luther Mason and demanded
the rent. Angry words followed, and Mason,
telling Jones that the rent was not due, order
ed him away. A barn used by Jones stands
near the house then occupied by Mason. In
the afternoon of the same day Mason, who
went away from home after the alteration
in the morning, returned and met Jones Mt
or near the barn. The difficulty was renew
ed, and ended in Mason throwing Il stone at
Jones. Unfortunately the stone struck Jones
near the top of the head, on the left side
fracturng the skull, and causing death the
next day.
Luther Mason is about twenty-five years
of age. He is Il dentist by profession and has
a wife aud three children. He is the son of
Mr.. Benjamin Mason, a very respectable cti-
zen of Jarretlsyille, and has always borne a
good character. He is native of Hartford
county, but resided for number of years in
Westminster, Nd, Amber Jones, the de-
ceased, was about sixty-Ihree years of age,
md was one Of the most highly esteemed cit
izens of the district. He leaves wife, bat
no children.
The State was represented by J. r. c. Hop
kins, Eq., States Attorney, assisted by Col
z II. Webster. Herman Stump and William
Young Esq, with A. H. Norris. E,q., of
Westminster, appeared for the prisoner
The jury was constituted as follows: Syl-
vestrr Phelps, Samuel Mutin, Jams Hone
! Frank Jones, jacob Walker John McAhee,
\. S Adams, Robert L. Morgan, Josiah
Bailey, b Frank llanway, Samuel Z Stewart
nd John Sils The five last named were
talcsmen, selected ont Of fourteen summoned
by the Sheriff, after eXhausting the petit Jury.
The opening statement for the prosecution
was made by The States Attorney, who read
the legal definition of murder and of man
slaughter, and gave a brief synopsis of the
evidence which the State expected to present.
Mr.. Young opened the case for the defence,
giving clear and connected statement of the
affair, based upon the evidence which he said
would be adduced. The prisoner, he said,
was the creature of circumstances initiated
and precipitated by the deceased himself; that
Mason was not responsible for those circum-
stances, and that he acted in sclf-defence-
Without examining any witnesses, court ad.
journed until Tuesday morning.
The examination of witnesses was COM
menced on Tuesday morning. The first wit
ness called was William II. Clark, County
Surveyor, who explained to the court and the
jury the various localities at the scene of the
occurrence, as laid down on plats made by
him.
Mrs Macy Jones testified that Luther
Mason rented n house and garden from hel
husband. This house was situated about
200 yards from her residence, an orchard in
tervening. Mr.. Jones and his wife had for.
merly lived in the house rented by Mason,
bat some years ago built new house. The
barn, wagon house, spring house. &c were
near the old house. On the morning of the
18th of September, 1878, shortly after break
fasi her husband went to work about the
barn, being generally engaged there every
day in turning some phosphate he was max
ing in the barn. About one o'clock he came
home to dinner, and told her that he had
seen Luther Mason in the morning, about the
rent. Mason told him he would not pay him
till he pleased. Her husband told her Mason
had "sassed" him some, hut did not tell her
what the words were. He said to Mason,
81 won't talk any more to you about the
rent. I'll talk to your father" Mason re-
piled 81 don't care for my father or you eth
er" My husband said he turned to 90 and
Mrson said; "Ill stretch you out" He told
me all that passed and was not excited, He
did not appear to mind it, He told witness
he was not going 10 say anything more to
Mason about it. He remained at home rest
ing himself until half past one or two, and then
LETT to go his work again Afer dinner wit
ness went to the spring house and was joined
there by her husband. When she had fin.
ished printing her butter her husband ac-
companied her to the bars, where they sepa-
rated, she going to the house, while he went
towards the barn. He did not alludc TO the
difficulty with Mason again. This was after
4 O'clock. Subsequently, she was in her
yard when one of Mas MS boys came up and |
told her that his mother had sent him to tell |
her that Mr. Jones was lying down mt the
spril e house. Witness ran down to the
spring house, but did not see him here. She
rtn on and found her husband lying on his
back in the path, below The spring house.
She screamed for help. Mrs. Luther Mason,