Omaha daily bee., 1889-09-19
MRS. HAMiLToN.s TRIAL
She Attacks the Jury with Tears and
Sobs.

MAYS LANDING, N. j., Sept. 1S.-The court
room was crowded this morning with people
anxious to hear the proceedings in the case
Of Mrs. Robert Ray Hamilton, indicted for
atrocious assault upon her child's nurse,
Mary Donneily. The work of selecting a
jury was quickly disposed Of Mrs. Hamil-
ton frequently sobbed aloud during the Sc
lection of the Jury. and gave every evidence
of hopeless dependency. DR.. Crosby, the
first witness, described the nature of the
wound, and added that Mrs. Donnelly was
now entirely out of danger. Nurse Dom
nelly then told the story OF the stabbng, and
the court took recess.
In the afternoon Nurse Dounelly said Mrs
Hamilton took out OF her trunk the knife
with which the cutting WAS done. Mrs.
Hamilton called her a vile name and she de-
mauded its retraction, which was refused.
She then left the house and on her return
found that Hamilton's trousers had been cut
in the right knee and his coat split down the
back The knife and garments were both
offered in evidence.
MIR. Hamiltons testimony went to show
particularly that the nurse was very abusive
toward Mrs. Hamilton The rent in the
coat he explained oy the fact that
early in the day on which the stab
bing occurred they had family QUARREL
The nurse was very aggressive. A parasol
was also broken by the defendant. She
wanted a greater sum of money than he was
willing to allow her on separation. The de-
fendant had shown him bruises aud scratches
inflicted by the nurse.
Mrs. Hamilton tesUfied that her husband
upheld the nurse, and that she was also
very abusive to her. She threw her on bed
and placed her knee on the witness stomach
and then the knife, which was lying on the
bed. was used by her in self-defense. She
stated that she first met Hamilton for or five
years ago at Mrs. Browns, IN New
York, being accompanied by a Miss
Bader. She afterwards met Hamilton
on the street, and he finally called
upon her. Neither of her parents were liv-
ing and she had money left her by her
father She said she was no relation to
Mrs. Swinton, but met her in boarding
house at No. 10 East Twenth-eighth street,
and she also met Joshua Mann there. She
was married last January to Mr.. Hamilton,
but declined answering III she hau been mar
ried before or was the mother Of Baby Be.
atrice
Mrs. Hamilton said she was afraid to call
her life her own during the time she had
| Mrs. Donnelly 10 her employ. The nurse
| neglected the lady and drank great deal.
| The woman had made threats against
| her life prior to the encounter in
which the witness stabbed her. Be
| fore the encounter the nurse had
| attempted to assault her with whisky bot
| tie. Hamilton put the woman out of the
| room, but she soon returned screaming,
Let me at her." and n h9httensued.
The physician called to attend Nurse Don
| nelly SAID she was under the influence OF
| liqor when he came.
Mrs. Elizabeth Rupp, the proprletress OF
| the Noll COTTAGE was present when Mrs
Hamlto attempted to assault the nurse
| with an Infants bath tub Mrs. Hamilton
| made the remark in her presence, Ray
| Hamilton, you will have me sent to the gal
| lows vet"
Both sides then rested and Judge
| Reed stated that the arguments would be
made and the case given to the jury in the
morning.