National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-02-03
THE HIRTH MUROERERS.
Bedford, Plnn and 0ueenan Indicted
and Arraigned.
All Three of the Prisoners Plead Not Guilty
--nistrict-Attorncy Corl,hili Presses for
aSpeedy Trial-Thc Counsel for the
Accused Opposed to Such
Haste-Monday Set Per-
emptorily for Trial.


The announcement In THE NATIONAL RI.
PUBLICAN yesterday that tho parties accused
| of the murder of MIR. George p. nirth would
be brouI ht ont to plead doubtless drew the
largo crowd gathered at tho Criminal court
room to witness the arraignment of the three
| criminals. When the court first convened,
Justice Hagner upon the bench, lie having
takca tho place of ChiofJustice Cartier,
nothing unusual was apparent, and these par.
tcular prisoners not being present in the
dock many persons began 10 think that thoy
had been sold. Such was not the fact how
ever, for Messrs. Leonard aud Searo, driver of
the van and baili, after bringing M the Grim.
inals assigned for hearing yesterday, returned
to the jail, aud at 11:30 o'clock reached the
City Hall with tho three murderers, who wore
the first three seats in the dock.
| They Immediately became the OBJ.
jcct Of observation from all parts of tho
chamber Pinn sat at the end Of the bench,
and his eyes roamed about the room in a rest.
less way, while there was a frightened look in
his face. Bedford sat next, accepted the situa-
ton willingly, had smile upon his face and
spoke to all giving him tho opportunity.
Quoenan was beyond Bedford, and the most
quiet of tho three. lie seemed disinclincd to
notice yOno, and nearly all of the time kept
his eyes directed toward the floor. When
they left the Jail Bedford and Pnn were very
cheerful and proposed singing, all having good
voices, bnt Quconau said that he did not feel
like IT, iow minutes later lie chimed IN,
and they kept the songs going until within
short distance of tho City Hall. Within ten
minutes after their arrival at the Courthouse
the Grand Jury were announced, aud in n few
minutes they presented an indictment against
Joseph Neversou, alias Joseph Bedford, alias
Babe Bedford, ahorer; Sandy Plum, laborer,
and Edward Queenuu, laborcr, for the murder
Of George Philip Irlh on the night of jam
AIRY :, 1850, on street, between Seventeenth
aud Eighteenth stroots northwest.
The indictment is in six counts, and strippcl
Of its legal phrases, sets forth that Oh the night
In question the accused made an assault on
the deceased, striking him upon the bacl; OF
tho mead with Il stOnc making three mortal
wounds each one aud une.half inches in length
one inch in width and one-half an inch dccp /;
also innicting blows upon tho breast siGo aud
abdomen. The pending trial of Frank Currau
was temporarily suspended.
District Attorney Corkhill-Iu these cases,
Your Honor, l ask for immediate arraignmcnt.
Justice Haguer-Ars the prisoners In court Z?
Distrct-Attorney CorShill-Yes, sir
Justice Hagner-Very well, sir arraigu
them.
They were then brought out and stood up
before the court.
Each gave his namc TO Mr. Sparrow. the
clerk. That official then read the indictment.
While doing so the accused looked around
the room, paying little attention to the read.
Ing, except at the times when the killing was
recitcd; then they would listen, especially
Bedford When questioned rs to their plea
all three responded mot guilty"
In response to the inquiry of the court,
Pinn said that Mr. Miller was his counsel, aud
Bedford and Queenan that they had secured
the services of Mr.. Hayward.
Colonel Corkhill said that he would like
these gentlemen sent for, as he wanted these
cases set down for trial. The two attorneys
arrived few Minutes later.
Colonel Corkhll inquired If Air. Miller ap.
peared for either Of the parties.
Mr. Miller said that shortly after the arrest
was made he was called upon by the mother OF
Pinn. Ho was not yet retained. He PROM
sed to take the case upon certain conditions
/ which had not been complied with. When
} they were he would take it, Tho men had
only been indicted that mOrIing, and he
thought 1t rather premature to rush them to
| immediate trial.
Colonel Corkhill said that there was no dis.
, position to crowd the case further than public
interest aud the business of the Office de.
: maudcd. If Mr. Miller was not their attorney
then they ought to have counsel assigned
them. He asked that the case be set down fol
trial on Thursday next.
D Mr. Miller thought that lie might DO an at.
torney in one Of tho cases, but the gravity of II
did not demand speedy trial to the detriment
of these parties.
, Assistant District-Attofney Perry said that
= some two weeks since a motion was made in
= that court in relation to these three cases
b. Messrs. Miller and Hayward were both
8 present They knew that tho cases would be
= set for trial Mt the earliest moment after the
;. indictments were found. 1t was a brutal
o murder, and public interest demanded prompt
i trials
+ Justice Iagner-Ethor these parties have
S or have not counsel. If they have not. the
i Court will assign it. Mr.. Hayward, who dc
4 You appear for?
. Mr.. Observation-Disclosures for all o.
| them.
a Justice Hagner-The District Attorney i:
pressing for trial. What say you?
~. MIR. Hayward-Woll, we have not yot a
g copy of the indictment, and suppose we car
{ be put on trial forty eight hours after that.
! will be ready next Monday.
Colonel Corkhill--Set it down, then, per
&. emptorly for Monday.
Justice Hdgner-That is reasonable time
. let the trial be fIod for that day.
l Mr.. Hayward-Will the court assign assist
= ant counsel for Bed lord and Queeuan?
f Justice Hagner-Can the court do that with
4 out request from those parties?
3. Mr.. Hayward They do request through me
h. l wish also to except to the action of til,
. court in calling on these parties TO plead be
/ fore receiving copy of the indictment.
: Justice Hagner-'Reduce it to writing. Tn,
I law says that they shall he furnished with
l. copy lNO uAJo uttOlc INC lIlhl-lOJ tle nj
piSnment. | will appoint Mr. Miller to assis
4 ia this case, aud am sorry that | canno
o guarantee fee.
5 Mr.. IIayward-How many Of the defend
4 ants witnesses will Your Honor ALLOW to b.
1 paid for by the Government?
b. Justice Iluguer-I cannot say until aftc
y you make your application, but you must d.
/ that rs soon as possible.
This closed the proceedings 1t is under
stood that an effort will DO made to break
| down the States evidence OF Johnson, bu
suffice IL to say that ample testimony has beer
found that will support his statement in every
. important particular The following arc Tho
, witnesses on tho back OF the Indictment
Benitmin H. johnson, Philip Hungertord
DR., H. NJ. SchacItr, w. II. West, n. p Charlie,
II. Safcl, VI. r.; Sarah Lee, d. NJ. Lighter
William Terrell, James r. Davis, Richnrd r.
! Browne, Katie Dickson, Frederick Vaux
James r. Lelry, William Dorohay, James
, Foreman, james A. MCDoyitt, Washington
lImSton, Edward Lane, william Myers, John
H. Sibley, James C. Little, Winfield Taylor
A. II. Voss, Thomas Williams, Bernard Tiley
DR.. j. +, llartigan, Elmira Bailey, William r.
Blgley, Mary V, Wynn, Il. d. owen and Han
nah Street.
Extraordinary Inducements.