Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-01-17
THE SHOOTING OF MORGAN.
Miss Horton i'm the Police Court.
Charged With Intent to Kill Him

To-day in the Police Court Miss Lucy Walton
Rhett Horton, was charged with an assault
with intent to kill John H. Morgan, son Of sena-
tor Morgan, Of Alabama, by shooting him in the
shoulder on the afternoon of January LIST last.
It will be remembered that Miss Horton charges
that Morgan had robbed her OF her innocence
under promise OF marriage. Some months
since, by Messrs Cook and Cole, she entered
suit against him for $780, 900 damages, which suit
is now awaiting trial. Since entering the suit
she alleges that she has been dismissed from
every place in which she succeeded in getting
employment, and her friends claim that her
mind has been unsettled by the treatment that
she has received at his hands. She was arrested
shortly after the occurrence, making no effort
to escape, and charge being made, Mrs Lock-
wood went her bail in s., 600, and hearing of
the case has been continued from time to time
until to-day. No publicity having been given
to the fact that the case would be called to-day,
there was not an unusual attendance in the
courtroom.
THE PARTIES IN THE CASE.
Mr.. Morgan is rather slim built young man,
OF medium height, with dark hair and mus
tacbe. He was early in court with a number of
his friends but until the case was called the
accused did not appear in court. She is rather
fair looking girl, about IS or 70 years of age
but has more settled and mature look than is
usual in women Of that age. She Is OF medium
height, with dark hair. This morning she was
neatly attired in dark dress, black hat ard
veil. There were number OF ladies present. in
Guiding Mrs. Lockwood, Miss McNall, Mrs. Char
lotte Smith. and Others.
About liz O'Clock the accused entered the
room, accompanied by MeSSrS. Cook and Cole,
and the case was Immediately called and the
witnesses sworn.
JOHN II. MoRGAN's TESTIMONY.
John ii. Morgan fist testified that on New
Years day, while walking eastward on street
with friend, Mr.. Cole, he noticed the accused
and passed her, end Immediately after he heard
the Shot and felt pain in his shoulder. He
pistol again, and he ran to her and held her
hands until she was forced from hiiI. The
pistol was then in her hands. SIZE made no re-
mark before the shooting, but when the crowd
came up she said, ''YeS shot him, and wish
to God l had killed him." She made no effort to
conceal the pistol DR.. Reyburn first attended
him.
Cross examined by Col Cook:-When did you
come to Washington? AnS.--In the fall of 1871.
Question.-Where from?
Mr.. COyle objected.
The Court said that he was sitting in this
case as an examining justice, and suggested
that the shooting being proved the defence
should be made in the court above.
Mr.. Cook said that they purpoSed to show
conclusively that this defendant in consequence
of the injustifjablc acts of the witness was not
in her right mind. Had it come to this, that
woman who had been thus treated should be
incarcerated without inquiring into the con-
ditiOn OF her mind?
the accused had his sympathy, but he had to go
by the law.
Mr.. Cook asked what the Court would do in
the case OF maniac.
The Court.-You have pleaded not guilty, and
If insane the plea is wrong.
Mr.. Cook said he proposed to show her con-
dition at the time the shot was fired.
Mr.. Coyle answered that this was not the time
to bring out
THE SENSATIONAL FEATURES OF THE CASE.
and although the witness and his friends were
willing that all should come out he would do
what he could to keep these features out until
the case reached the proper tribunal
MI. Cook asked why could not these points be
made now, and claimed that this tribunal, in
feIior though it may be, had the right to make
this inquiry.
The court said that he had a stern duty to
perform, and he would keep this tribunal in its
own limits. He did not think that he had any,
thing TO do with the sanity or insanity OF the
prisoner, for that question would be one of the
first in the upper court.
Mr.. Cook claimed as matter Of Justice that
this poor child should not be committed on the
assumption of guilt, and they were prepared to
time tottering, because she had been robbed Of
everything dear to her, and they were entitled to
show the condition of her mind.
The court cited the Mary Harris case. and
said that he had no right to acqut, and his only
course was to examine the case as to probable
cause.
OTHER WITNESSES EXAMINED.
John Hart was next sworn, and testified that
on the evening in question he saw a crowd. in
which Nil. Morgan was holding lady and he told
witness to hold her, but he declined, and she
said that she was sorry tnat she had not killed
him.. Witness put his hand ON the pistol so it
could not go off.
not hear the shot fired, but saw the excitement:
saw lady in the crowd; saw Mr.. Morgan, and
heard some one say, ..let that lady CO." Witness
took the pistol from Morgan.
OFFICER Smith testified to the pistol and hand
derchief being turned over TO him by Mr.. Cal
vert. and he turned them over to Sergeant Ho'-
lenberger. There were four loads in the pistol
and one empty cartridge.
Sergeant Hollenberger corroborated the last
witness. and also identified the handkerchief
which was Sewed up so as to form a bag and
had several holes in 1t.
Officer Britt testified that being informed that
man had been shot, he followed the car in
Which Miss Horton had taken a seat, and the
lady being pointed out, he asked her if she was
the party who had Shot some one, and she nod
ded her head.
Mr.. Coyle said he had examined all the wit
nesses present. DR.. Reyburn was absent
MI Cook said he would prefer the case to so
over till Saturday next.
Mr. Coyle objected to any further delay
Mr.. Cook said that this case had been allowed
TO slumber until Thursday last, when they were
served.
able to the government, and remarked that
three different times had been set for the hear
ing of this case and they had arranged for
hearing; that this girl should not be exposed to
the gaze OF the curious
The court suggested that DR.. Reyburn be sent
for and they go on with the case. Mr.. Cook de-
clined until the government had closed
A LETTER OFFERED BUT RULED OUT.
Col. COOK submitted the following letter Of
December Sd last, but 1t was ruled out:
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Dec. Sd, lSIT.-lHiSS Lllcy:
Enclosed please find the two pictures which |
ought 10 have sent you before and would have
done so but got them misplaced and could not
find them. | regret that 1t should please you
TO use such language as you did in your last two
or three letters. make no reply to them, and
sincerely hope that the 'patrician blood" that
flows in your veins will prompt you to treat
with silent contempt an unworthy plebian like
myself l remain firm In my determination 10
abide by what said In my last letter.
Very respectfully, JOHN H. MORGAN
On this letter Is written Il told him would
come TO him in Washington IL he did come back
OF write me he was coming soon. / suppose
this is the Language he refers to- wish to God
he would show my letters"
Lucy RHETT HORTON.
Mr. Coyle asked, at 12:40 o'clock, a recess till
O'Clock, which was granted
At O'Clock the court re-asSembled, and testi-
mony was given as to the wound, which WAS
not dangerous one.
MISS HORIZONS TESTIMONY.
Inc accused, Miss Horton, was called and teS-
ufed that she had been acquainted with Nor
gan, and the day before the shooting She saw
MN Just before his house on g street, and he
there said that he would not stand anything
more from her, and the next time he saw her on
g street he would shoot her.
Observation-Disclosures was then speaking to
her about proposition to compromise; is GER
tain that he did not say. ''if you don't go away
lWlll have you arrested saw him the next day
on 6 street
Mr.. Cook objected, and the court sustaining
the objection witness left the stand.
OTHER LETTERS OFFERED AND RULED OUT