Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1892-06-15
THE Observation-Disclosures.
INSANITY TIE PLEA OF THE DE-
TENSE IN TIE SHEPHERDS
TOWN MURDER CASE.
The Jury Find the Prisoner Guilty o.
Murder ga the First Degree.

The trial of Harry F. Smooth, indicted
for the murder of Miss Susie Terrell in
Shepherdstown on the twenty-6rst of last
January, occupied the entire time Of the
Circuit Court for five days last week-the
case being concluded on Saturday evening.
Throughout the time popular interest IN
the case was not abated, throngs Of people
of the town and county witnessing the pro-
ceediugs. A large part Of the time, aud espe-
cially on the last day, the courthouse was
crowded to sufocation.
The first witness for the State was DIR, A.
5. Reynolds, Of Shepherdstown, who exam
ined the body Of Miss Ferrall after the
shooting. He testified that the wound was
about an inch from the middle line of the
head, the ball penetrating the brain, and,
was necessarily fatal.
Miss Lucy SchOppert, who was an init
mate friend of Miss Terrell, said that on
evening of the tragedy she and Miss Fer
rell were followed on the street by Smooth,
who caught Miss Terrell by the hand, say
ing: 81 have something to say to you. -
The reply was Don't touch me-" SmOOtz
said "We'n settle this little matter right
here" Miss Terrell appealed to witness to
run for help, that Smooth had a revolver,
and she did so in spite of the threat of the
assailant to shoot her if she ran. When
she returned her friend was dead Smooth
had held Miss Terrell with his left hand,
the revolver in his right, while she strug-
gled to escape.
Henry Staley, colored, who was coastins,
heard woman's cry for help, ran up
and saw Smooth holding Miss Terrell, with
his left arm around her neck her face against
his Breasts revolver in his right hand
Told Smooth to let her 90. SmOotz threat
ened witness with pistol and witness turned
away crying, Murder, then heard pistol
shot
Joseph Madison. colored, had also heard
Miss FerrelPs cry for help ran up and
found accused holding Miss FeIrell as de-
scribed by preceding witness. Asked what
was the matter and was threatened with
shooting. Saw accused put revolver to Miss
Ferrelps head and shoot her; she fell at
SmoOtz's feet and he walked to her head and
stood there a miuute-then walked away
These three witnesses testified that Smooth
did not seem, excited
jas. W. Kcarney and T. H. Davis heard
Miss Schoppert's alarm; found Miss Terrell
lying on the snow and carried her into the
house Of Rev. Mr. Neel.
DR.. l. s. Tanner described the wound
with professional proiundity," to the edi-
fcation if not enlightenment of his hearers.
Geo. W. Humrickhouse heard cries of
murder, saw flash and heard report.
Jacob Terrell, grandfather Of the deceas-
ed girl. testified that Miss Terrell aud Miss
Schoppert went out about quarter of seven
that evening. He went out and saw them
walking down the street; saw Smooth stand
ing on street corLer.
Geo. W. Banks testified to accuracy Of
map made by him and placed in evidence.
Jack Barrett was told by Smooth, some
days before the shooting, that he was going
to shoot Miss Susie FerreI. He was Sc
verely cross.examined to show that he and
accused were not on confidential terms /;
stuck to his statement. Fillmore Reynolds
was told by Smooth, on train going TO Ha-
gerstowu, that before any one else should
have Susie he'd kill her.
VIM. Myers testified to Miss FerrelPs
alarm when Smooth approached her as she
went to Suuday-school.
W. 5. Wagner was in DR.. Stotler's office
when Smootz and his brother came there
after the shooting Harry had a revolver
and would not let witness 60 until heprom-
ised to say nothing for half an hour.
Jno. F. Maddox lconstablel aud Larry
Brown arrested Smooth in DR., Stotler's Of
fee. Accused said, when told that Miss
Terrell was dead: "God help Tor pity US
both"
DIR. Stotler gave an account Of SmoOtz's
coming to his office. When asked if he
had shot Miss Terrell, Smootz said; eyes,
oh yes, I've shot her. was perfectly quiet
aud looked rather pleasant when he said so.
When asked why be had done it he said be
didn't know asked if he had better kill
himself; looked natural
Several witnesses testified that pistol
shown looked like the one used Here the
state rested
a number of citizens of shepherdstown,
summoned for the defense, testified to the
prisoners good reputation for peace, quiet
ness and sobriety
NJ. ;. Wenner gave an account of the &C
cused's strange conduct in Hagerstown,
with which he lWenner) was so much i'm
pressed that he told uncle Of the accused
that he ought to be confined, that he had
certainly gone crazy and would kill Miss
Terrell OF himself or somebody. 1t was
drawn out on cross examination that Wen
ner's attention had also been called by 9TH
ers to Smootz's peculiar conduct.
J. d. Fayman testified to eccentric con-
duct Of prisoner for three or four months
prior to killing, though he talked nationally.
Witness thought him a maniac. On cross