National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-02-10
THE HIRTH MURDERERS.
Bedford, 0ueenan and Pinn on TrIa'
for Life.
A Crowd at the City Ball--A Tedious Time
Examining Jurors-Ten Secured Yes
terday-seven White aud Three
Colored - Scenes About the
Court Room-Full rro-
ceedlngs, &C., &c.
The Murder Of George phnip nIrth.


The trial of Joseph Ncvorson, alias Joseph
Bedford, alias Babe Bedford, SANDY Pinn aud
Edward QuCenan, which was announced for
yesterday morning, caused an unusual interest
in the city and considerable excitement about
the City Hall. IT. has been many years, IL
over before, since such large crowd assem-
blcd in that locality drawn thither By q
criminal prosecution. Tho murder Of George
Philip liirth at the time OF its occurrence,
seemed to awaken citizens TO sense of the
dangerous extent that crime had gone to, and
the Staying Of r young man so highly re-
speced and esteemed only added intensity Ia
the excitement that ensued at his death
Had the murdcrers been known and ap
pretended Immediately following the
| commission of their brutal deed, nc
person doubted that swift and sum
mary vengeance would have been visited upon
them. However, the delay in securing the
parties accused Of the crime permitted the
passions of men 10 cool, aud when they were
arrested the power of the law prevailed aud
they were permitted to enjoy trial and Judi
cial investigation into the charges preferred
against them. Although the court did not
meet until 10 o'clock yesterday morning, still
at least one hour prior TO that time meu aud
women commenced to gather about the court
house, and by 10 a. IN. the asscmblage was
very great. The marshal and his officials had
taken every prccautiOu TO prevent tho
chamber from being overrun, and MS
consequence there was circulating room
therein for those persons required to be
in attendance. Many ortbe men and women
and the great humber of tho latter was par
ticularly nOticeable-beng unable to gain adj
lmittanco to the courtroom. hung about the
doors and steps of the building trying to catch
II few words or obtain glance at the prison.
ers.
| The accused parties had been brought from
Jail about $3.50 o'clock, aud sat quietly in
the dock, taking considerable interest in the
proceedings about them. The counsel for the
defense were Messrs. John A. Haywood, II. II.
Wells, jr., and Randolph Cnyie for Bedford aud
Queenan and Messrs C. Maurice Smith and
Thomas f. Miller for Sandy Pinn. 10 the
latter had been added Mr.. John Il. Riley,
| young gentleman OF considerable ability and
II welI-knOwn practitioner at tho bar. Those
were all present. The Government was repre-.
sented by District Attorney George b.
Corkhill and his first assistant, R.
Ross Perry, esq. Justice Hagner cumo
upon the bench promptly at 10 o'clock.
He called the attention of the Marshal to the
fact that he had seen several respectable per-
sons outside of the chamber unable TO gain
admission, and directed that as many be
allowed to enter the room rs possible and that
would not Inconvenience public business.
In response to an inquiry of the court, Dis
trict Attorney COrkhil said the United States
called the case against Bedford, Plum and
| Queenan
His Honor addressing the counsel for the
defense, said that If they desired to withdraw
| the plea of not guilty and file motion to
quash or demurrer they were at liberty TO
do so.
! Mr. Maurice Smith said that so far as his
client was concerned lie regretted to say that
| they had not obtained II copy of the indict-
ment. IL was given to Pinn and by him trans
lerrod to his mother, who not appreciatmg
| the importance Of it, had failed to deliver ID
| to his counsel.
Mr.. Miller said he supposed that they could
take advantage of any point they might desire
10 make on Il motion for u new trial or In
arrest Of Judgment. His Honor replied that
| they could.
Mr. Miller said that then they were ready
| to proceed,
| Mr. Wells stated that tho counsel for Bed
ford and QueGnan had no motion to make.
! Mr. Smith called the attention Of the court
| to the fact that Pinn possessed better clothes
than he was wearing aud that they were al
| the Jail, but the warden would not permit him
to wear them, stating that he had received an
order from tho court TO that effect.
! His Honor suid that he had given an order,
but it was directly to tho contrary OF the
statement made; still, so far as wearing the
clothes was concerned It was matter with
which he did not have much TO DO. Yet he
could see where the clothes might he very
| important in connection with the identity of
/ the parties.
! District Attorney Corkhill stated that lie
had arranged to have shorthand report Of
! the trial
Mr., :, 4, II, Marks, jro was the hrst juror
called
His Honor inquired for the Shorthand ro.
porter,
Mr. Miller wanted to know il the other side
intended to enjoy the benefit of verbatim
report of the testimony
Mr. Perry replied that they did, and IN.
qulred If the defense could not do the same.
| Mr.. Miller said that they were financially
unable to do so.
been made by which the full report Of the
trial would be published In The NATIONAL
REPUBLICAN from day to day and the counsel
for the defense could avail themselves OF that
publication.
1t was decided that the defense should have
! twenty challenges.
Mr. Marks was then examined
IIs stated that he had formed a strong
opinion, but thought that he could give a fair
and impartial verdict ON hearing the evidence.
In answer to the question ns to being biased,
ho stated that lie did not see how he could be
otherwise, having formed strong opinion.
He was then excused.
Mr.. George White was next called, and
stated that he had neither formed nor expressed
an opinion.
| Mr Miller challenged him for cause, and he
was put on trial before the court
| Mr.. Miller then desired that he bo asked II
no had read tue newspaper accounts Of tho
AFFAIR.
The court declined to do so,
Mr., Miller then wanted the Juror asked
whether or not he had COnyer,Gd with his
| wife upon the subject.
! This the court declined also.
His Honor said that the juror under oath,
a.. Il. F..4.. ...l Il