Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-12-19
NOT GUILTY.
The Jury in the Harris Pickett
Case
Renders a Verdict for Defendant Without
Leaving Their Seats---A fearful
Scene in Court.

Remarkable as had been the testimony
and sad "a had been the scenes in Court
during the first two days of the Harris
Pickett suit, the climax was reserved for
yesterday morning, when events occurred
which completely revolutionized the senti-
ment Of the public, sstonished Court, at
torneys and spectators beyond measure,
and impelled the jury, at the suggestion
Of the Prosecuting Attorney, to render q
verdict for the defense, while the plaintiff,
narrowly escaping a bench warrant for
perjury, was forced to geek safety in fight
in some direction as yet unknown.
Viewed in any light, the case is the most
remarkable ever put on trial in local
Court, and affords material for q three
volume novel with 8 plot more intricate
than
TIE MOST BRILLIANT RONANCIsT
could have possibly conceived. In legal
circles the matter was the universal topic
of conversation, and many wise heads sre
even yet deeply involved in efforts TO dove
tail together statements and circumstances
which psrsistently refuse to range them.
selves in line.
II will be remembered that when Miss
Harris, the plaintiff, was first put upon the
stand, abe tesufed that her child was being
kept at the house Of g man named Frazier,
about two miles from Roneys Point. This
was the first clue the defense had as to the
whereabouts OF the child clsimed By Miss
Harris as her own, and spbpenas we're at
once cent out for al the Fraziers In that
part Of the county, and also for Edward
Martin and Andrew Heimberger, who, it
was said, could
IDENTIFY TIE BAsY
produced in Court by the plaintiff. The
testimony of these witnesses was that the
baby belonged to the family Of Mr.. Louis
Auliman, q German, who lived not far
from Roney's Point, and he and his wife
we're promptly subpensed. As the family
were known 10 be very poor, and being
fearful that simple subpoena might not
bring the desired witnesses quick enough
the dsfense furnished vehicle TO Deputy
Sheriff Morgan Mccullough, who, on
Thursday evening after the adjournment OF
Court, set out TO bring the couple to this
city. After trsversing probably two.thirds
of the distance to Roney's Point, the Dep.
uty met Mr., and Mrs Aultmsn on the
road, walking towards Wheeling. In re-
suonse to inquiries they said they had been
told their child was in Wheeling in Court,
and they we're going to see about it, They
were brought 10 the city, and lodging &C.
cured until yesterday morning. They were
very anxious to know where the child was,
but were assured that it was in good hands
and all right,
At nine o'clock yesterday morning the
hearing of the case was resumed, all the
parties being present except Miss Harris.
When the German couple Mr.. and Mira.
Aultman. caught sight Of the child. they
boah
BURST INTO TEARS,
and caressed the youngster in the most
sfsctionste manner. The mother clssped
the baby to her breast, and so5bed convul.
sively, in response 10 which the child
threw It's arms around Mrs. Aultnan neck
and laughed with, Joy at seeiag her again.
Then the fathercrled: George, Georgia"
and the child extended its arms to him,
and, when he took it, pattied him upon
the cheek and seemed glad to be in tamil
lar hands again. Soon father, mother and
child were all weeping together, while
dozens of men in the court room looked
on with teardimned eyes.
When this pathetic scene had been
enacted, and the taking of testimony was
resumed, Mrs Mary Aultmsn was
called to the stand by tie defense Wit
ness was unable to speak word OF Eng
lish, and the services of su interpreter had
to be called in. She stated that tha child
then in Court, and claimed by Miss Harris,
really belonged 10 herself. 1t was born
November 8, 1888. Mrs Fisher was pres
ent at It's birth. Miss Harris came to her
house for the child on Wednesday. She
drove up in buggy, and said she wanted
to take the child 10 Wheeling. Mrs. Fry,
a lady whom Mrs. Aultnan knew init
mstely had recommended her to see wit
ness and ask leave to
LET TIE CHILD CONE To TOWN.
Witness asked what was wanted with the
child, and Miss Harris said friend of Mrs
Fry had recently lost q child, and being
much grieved, it was thought the presence
Of Mrs. Aultman's baby would cheer her
up and comfort her. Besides the lady had
lots Of nice clothes which would just fit the
baby, snd if Mrs. Aultman would consent
to its making the tripit would be given
outfit. The parents consented,
but Mr.. Aultman said to bring it back the
next day if it cried. he also produced
dollar, and told Miss Harris 10 get the
bsby's picture taken, whereupon Miss Hsr-
ris pulled out q handful of money and
said she could pay for the pictures her,
selfsnd would bring one when she brought
The baby OFT. Miss Harris made no effort at
and cid not tell witness 10 say
nothing about her visit Witnese had come
INTO town with her husband and a young.
sr child the night before because she heard
her baby was in Court and she wanted to
zee about it. On cross-examinstion Mrs
Aultuan said she had only seen Miss Hsr.
is once before. Mrs Fry neighbor, was
making apple butter, and the girl come up
She said nothing to witness She was
only ct witness house, on Wednesday,
about tEc or three minutes. She
WOULD NOT WAIT
lntil the child could have its clothes
changed or its face washed, but
ook it away with her in the buggy. |
Mrs. Foster next took the stand. She
gas Mrs. Aultmsus aunt. The child was
frs Aultmsn's, witness having been pres.
Mt when it was born. Had known the
hid ever since. 1t wss weaned year
go tomorrow.
Mr.. Auitmsn uezt took ths stsnd He
orroborated all his wife had ssid.
Mrs Ferrsn, the mother Of Miss Harris.
7as the next witness She said no one
yer visited her daughter but Clint Pick.
It He went With her to Mrs Fry's on
ne occasion, and returned the following
az. When she returned she looked very
much like she hsd been poisoned. Her
suVhter WAS sRcieRts in January, 1884.
Ut she did not know what had become Of
be child. Witness had found Q bottle OF
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