The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-03-14
THE DUK IN TRIAL.
Sensational Doye.opments-T .Deprav-
ity OF the Murderer.

sensational lDoYe!Opmentb-Ihe Deprhv-
ity OF the Murderer.
UNIoNrowN, Pa, March l3.-!Tcstimony
in the Dukes murder trial was resumed
promptly at o'clock this morning. The
defendant, in company with his counsel,
exhibited none Of that gravity which
should characterize his demeanor. Resting
his head on his left arm, he idly sketched
diagrams during the day, except when he
used his lead pencil for tooth.pick. I'm
mediately to the left Of your correspondent
Sat the bereaved widow Of Captain
Mutt, ct times solaced by her sister.
in.law, Mrs. Stephen Mutt. Both are
at.ired in the deepest mourning. The
nervous system Of the former was under a
severe strain all day. Her limbs quivered
inyoluntarily. and the silent, burning tears
were perceptible to the close observer.
The court room is packed, and o well
planned strategy Is necessary to admission.
John Sturgeon identified the deadly revol-
yer used by the assassin. Mrs. Mutt, widow,
OF Captain Mutt, was recalled by the prosei
cution, and identified letter offered In
evidence by Hon. W. II. Playforc. It was
shown TO her by her husband. There was
second letter which Captain Mutt gave 10
witness the evening before he was killed. (.
Clark Breckenridge, nephew OF Captain
Mutt, recalled, testified that by request oi
Mrs. Mutt lie was made custodian oi the
two letters referred to; that was on the 24th
Of December last. subsequently witness
gave them to Mr.. Haywood, who turned
tnem over to Hon. G. L. Boyle.
n. II. Bowman, cashier Of the National
Bank OF Payatte county, was called for the
purpose oil identifying the defendants
handwriting, which he did. The sigma
ture to the infamous missives was positively
identified as that OF N. L. Dukes. Hon.
w. II. P!ayford here introduced in evi-
dence Dukes two letters to the deceased,
dated December 9Th and 10th, for the pur.
pose OF showing the alimls and motives
which led to the fatal Staying. ,Qblecied
10 as irrelevant and not tending 10 prove
any Of the matters alleged to be offered. A
very long controversy ensued between
counsel. Mr.. Playford dwelt upon the
character Of the letters, s,Rbicb
FOR NossTRosIrY BEddARED DEscRItTIos.
The objection was overruled by Judge
Wilson; and there was audible approba.
ton from the audience. Mrs. Mutt and
her sister.in-law at this juncture retired.
Dukes letters were then read by Mr.. Play
ford. The one dated December 4th is not
ft- for these columns. Writing 10 the
deceased about his daughter, Dukes used
language which reveals deprayity. He
first met Miss Mutt at Presbyterian
church. He might well curse the 90.
casion in the light Of the. letters.
After stating to Captain Mutt that big
daughter was the prettiest incest and
most modest girl he ever met, he goes on
10 tell about her. swarm OF followers, and
mentions in an ,unsavory way the names
| OF Nat Frey, Alonzo Hagani Prank HELEN
and II. P. Kennedy, Dukes next says In
his epistle that be determined to test her,
IlIiss Mutt, and iound thatehe yielded to
his solicitations -like.wax In bis arms.
Following this Is reflection, on Miss
Nuts chArrcler, which puts her In the
| Ilisht Of q common prostitute. Defendant
wrote TO deceased that, alter consider.
able bandying, he extracted confession
IA this effect. Gross remarks are made
about Miss Nutt's personal adornments.
INC father Is told the narrowing tale Of his
daurhtefs leWdnees. Her fayors were in
discriminately extended, says the man
who seeks acquittal from bis peers. The
concluding portion Of the frat letter 10 to
the effect that Miss Mutt was about to be.
come mother. The writer then pays tri.
Ibute to her musical talent, and personal
beauty. The next paragraph says "Saye
your daughter at any risk"
In the letter dated December 10Th, which
| Il In reply TO Capt. Mutt. the accused mur.
derer states be 10 not the author OF Miss
Nuts troubles, and brands her rs q wanton
woman. These two letters are more
POWERFUL IN pREluDlclxe PUBLIC SENTIMENT
a0ainst the prisoner than all the Witnesses