Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-06
STEWART ON TRIAL
Charged With Throwing a Lighted Lamp
at His Wife and Killing Her-The Pros
ecution Brings Numerous Witnesses to
Prove It's Claim,

at His Wife and Killing Her-The Pros
ecution Brings Numerous Witnesses to
Prove Its Claim.
James E. Stewart, of Collier township,
near Mansfield, was on trial yesterday before
Mary Stewart, on the night of May 9, 1891:
Stewart came home drunk and ordered
his wife to get supper for him.
After eating his supper he began TO
quarrel with her. Fearing her husband
vnn would make an attempt on her ascane 1,e'
Stewart picked up a lighted lamp and threw
at her, striking her in the back. 1t exploded
and set the woman's clothing on fire. She
died about eight hours after.
A great deal of time was consumed III
gathering a jury. District Attorney Bur,
leigh opened for the prosecution and asked
for a first degree verdict
DR.. E. G. Husler testified that Mrs. stew
saw her suffering from frightful burns
all over her body. Rev. Joseph
NJ. Duff corroborated the physicians state
ments; as did also Mr. and Mrs james
Pointer, father and mother of Mrs. Stewart.
Squire Andrew Mcmillan took Mrs. Stew
arts deposition follows:
My husband came home under the infiu. .
ence of liquor. He went to bed and got
supper ready and called him. He came
down about O'Clock in n great rage and
swore he would kill me- He, then
locked the door and l screamed
and told him to open it. 1 picked up the
hatchet and broke the lock- Just rs 1 was
going out he threw a lighted lamp at me- 1t
struck me ana the oil ran over my clothes,
setting me on fire"
Patrick Halpin, who lived near Stewart,
said: Il heard a cry and ran out, thinking the
house was on fire. l then saw Stewards vile
she was in the yard, and her husband was
leading her up to the house. Her clothes
were all burned OF, and she said Jim threw
the lamp at her."
Ellen Fisher, colored, saw Mrs. Stewart
and heard her scream: She testified
bed. We gave her castor oil. She
said she did not want to get well. saw her
running around the yard with her clothes
on fire. Mr.. Stewart came up to her and
she said: Go away, Jim, don't want to see zee
you Mr.. Stewart turned TO me and said:
4 did say thatI would get square with her.
Constable Foster, of CHARTERS said he ar
rested Stewart. He said Stewart asked next
day if he thought they would hang him. lie
said he did not mean to kill his wife.
Clara Pointer, sister of Mrs. Stewart,
had on several occasions heard Stewart
say he would kill his wife.
William Henderson had heard Stewart make
threats that he would kill his wife.
This closed the testimony for the Common
wealth, and Attorney Chapman arose and
made the opening address for the defense.
was not. thrown Intentionally ana
that amicable relations existed be-
tween the husband and wife on
the night of the alleged murder.
James h. Stewart. the prisoner, was the
first witness called. He said: 81 am a coal
digger. Have lived near Mansfield four
years. 1 only worked a half day on Satur-
day and L got drunk. l went
home to supper and told my wife
1 was going to see Billy Pointer. She
put her back to the door and
locked it and said l should not
go out. l demonstrated with her and she
then told me that Billy would be down and
l could then see him. l then took of my
coat and vest and went upstairs to bed.
Soon after my wife called for the door key.
told her did not know where it was. L
never. struck my wife in my life. went
downstairs and saw the lamp
was on fire. Ipicked it up threw it toward
the door where it exploded just as my wife
came in. did not throw it ut her. 1t was
purely accidental. l never threatened to
Kill her"
The case will be continued this morning.