National Republican., 1880-02-23
The uIrth Murder Trial.

The second week Of the trial Of Babe Bed
ford, Sandy Pinn and Edward Quccnan,
charged with the murder Of George p. Hirth
on the night Of the 9TH Of January last was
finished in the Criminal court, Justice Hagncr
last Saturday. The same large crowd was in
attendance, and the scene varied little from
that observable on the other days.
THE MUTE WITNESS,
Emma johnson, aud her husband Bnrrcl
johnson. were first called. Professor E. NJ Gal.
laudet, the interpreter, also came forward.
Mr.. Miller said that they proposed to have
the womaus husband, Burrell johnson, as
joint Interpreter.
The Government objected.
The Court thought that the responsibility
would be too much divided by pursuing that
course. If there was some symbol that the
professor did not understand common between
husband and wife, he could step into the wit.
ucss.room and inform himself from the hus-
band
Mr.. Miller asked that the witness be exam.
ined us 10 whether or not she knew Christmas
day.
The interpreter made the attempt, but
could not get her to comprehend the question,
and upon consultation with her husband he
stated that he possessed no means of finding
out whether or not she knew when Christmas
came
Mr.. Miller said that they had no more qucs.
| tiOns 10 put.
Mr.. Wells said that they wished to have
the witness examined. They did not care to
deiain the professor, hut would select another
| means, and they thought one by which they
could reach the mind of the witness aud
make her understand the questions asked
her.
At the suggestion Of the Court the professor
examined the woman as to her knowledge of
Christianity aud reported that the result was
not us satisfactory as it might be. The inter
prefer was then excused
Mr. Wells then called Burrell johnson aud
asked that he be sworn as interpreter.
The Government objected.
Mr. Wells spoke Of the importance Of this
womau's testimony TO them He cited the
fact that she was II member of II Christian
church; that she and her husband were
children together aud talked in their manner,
from that period mp to the present. Her little
children understand her aud she them, and
they and their father were decidedly more
competent to translate her signs than any one
else. There were some of her neighbors who
could well understand her. They would show
| that this woman told Immediately after the
occurrence Of the murder, that Johnson came
to her with the watch aud ring. She could
not he corrupted, for there was no possible
means of doing il. They could not convey to
her the means necessary to that purpose.
His Honor was not satisfied aE to the wOmail's
knowledge of Creator aud the responsibility
| of an oath.
Bnrrcll Johnson was called and sworn on
| his roir dire aud examined ms to his com PC.
] tencv to interpret: lie had known her for
| five years before the war when she wns a
little girl, aud they lived on adjoining firms;
he could talk with her by her signs; she was
| a member of the church, and knew that #
she did wrong she would be punished for it:
| she knew that If she gave away the food in
the house she would be blamed for it; she
knows that when she kiss.s the Bible and
tells ialsChoOd that she will he punished
To the Court lie did not know whether
she knew who made the world and who made
her aud governs all things.
His HonOr-Gentlcnleu how then can thi!
woman be examined?
Mr.. Millor-Your Honor, the woman may
never have bocu examined on that point
His Honorary person not having re-
ligiOus belief or the knOwlC dge Of the sauctity
OF an oath, cannot be sworn, even If it were
the President Of the United States.
Mr.. Wells asked permission to examine the
man further. lie inquired IL the man accom-.
panied his wife TO church He answered
Sometimes"
Q. Does she partake of the Communion Z
A. She hus not since we have been married.
Q. Why uot2 A. We did something wrong
together before we were married aud since
then she has not gone TO Communion.
Mr. Wclls--ls that not enough to show tha
their sin found them cut, aud she understand
the greatness of it?
His Houor-NOt at all. Unfortunately
there are many persons that partake of tn
Sacrament that are unworthy TO do go.
Mr. Wells made a further effort to introduc
tho testimony, Int His Houor WAS satisfied
! that evidence sufficient had not been show
of the womans religious belief aud ruled th
testimony out
An exception was noted
MARY STILES