The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1883-03-02
miscellaneous.
THE NORRIS POISONING CASE
VERDICT OF ACQUITTAI.
FRIDAY MORNING

The trial of Mrs Mary Norris, for the
murder of her husband, by poison, in July,
1881, was resumed on Friday morning. The
accused looked somewhat faded, but pre-.
served the calm demeanor which has charac-
terized her throughout the trial
Oliver Smith testified that he assisted
Nicholas Norris to cut oats, the day after he
returned from Baltimore. A lunch, consist.
ing of bread and pic was sent out to the
field. The bread was eaten by Mr.. Norris
and the pie by witness. They then went to
the spring house together and drank butter
milk. Was at Norris's again the following
Monday and Tuesday. Sullivan came one
day and went away the next While he was
in the harvest,field witness saw Sullivan and
Mrs. Norris walking across the yard towards
the kitchen, from the direction of the barn.
Cross Examined. At dinner time Mr..
Norris took dose of salts
Josiah b. Almony, keeper OF hotel ON the
road from Norrisville to Baltimore, testified
that early one morning in July, 1881, Nicho.
las Norris, while on his way to Baltimore,
called him up, and saying he was very sick,
asked for n drink. He said he felt well when
he got up in the morning, but half a mile
from home he began to feel sick, with a ter.
rible burning in the stomach. "If | had had
dose of poison" he said, 81 could not have
felt worse" He took a drink and started
with his wagon. Witness never saw him af.
forwards
Mary Salisbury, colored, testified that in
the fall before Mr.. Norris's death she was at
his house, engaged in knitting for Mrs. Nor.
ris Mr. Norris had gone to Baltimore, but
Mrs. Norris, her two children and Sullivan
were there. Sullivan was churning and Mrs.
Norris whitewashing Sullivan and Mrs.
Norris were talking and laughing Mrs.
Norris made some remarks to Sullivan, which
witness regarded rs so improper that she de-
clined to repeat them until threatened with
punishment by the court
On the cross examination witness said Mr..
and Mrs. Norris lived happily together
William Norris. the brother of Nicholas
Norris, was recalled He described the plan
of his brothers house. On the Sunday after
his brothers return from Baltimore, hearing
he was sick he went 10 see him. Was told
he was up stairs. Mrs, Norris met him at
the foot of the stairs and said to him
You're coming here to carry away some
more lies" He made no reply, and she con.
tinued: 81 am going down s'airs TO the
basement) to see if | can get some chicken
to carry up stairs" His brother complained
of pains in the stomach and said he was very
bad in his bowels. Mrs. Norris entered the
room and appeared to be cross. She said
witness could not come TO see the old niger
meaning herself) when she was sick. Then
she said, you will be talking and Nick has
not sense enough not to talk to you" His
brothers eyes filled with tears but he did not
say word. 1t is customary for farmers of
the neighborhood to use Paris green, which
is sold in the stores. Did not see his brother
again until the following Sunday.
The defence sought by cross examination
to show that the accused had no ll-feeling
towards her husbands brothers After his
brothers death Mrs. Norris divided her hus.
bands clothing between witness and his
brother George,
Re'direct.-The reason he did not go to
see his brother until the next Sunday, was
the way he was received and the effect his
| visit appeared to have upon his brother.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Joseph Butler, store-keeper of Norrisvile,
knew Norris and Sullivan. The latter Was a
small boy, perhaps five years old, at New
market in 1859 or 1860. Witness had sold
Paris green at his store, and believed Nicho-
| las Norris had bought some in 1881.
Mrs. Mary Racugle, of York, Pa, was
sworn. The States Attorney handed her q
tin type, representing Sullivan seated in a
chair and Mrs. Norris standing by his side
| with her hand on his shoulder. Witness was
asked if she recognized the parties.
Mr.. Young, for the defence, objected siren
uousy to the introduction of the picture,
which the States Attorney argued was for
the purpose of showing the intimate relations
existing between Sullivan and the accused