Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1897-01-22
Mrs Irwias Trial.


The trisl OF Mrs. Emma Irwin Tor the iuar-
der Of her husband, James Irwin, at Aliens
Fresh on August Bud last. took place in bil-
iimore on last Monday aud she vas acquitted
for want Of sufficient proof 10 connect bet With
the crime Nearly all the witnesses sput 70
baltimore on the early train MONDAY moru-
ing The trial took place beiure Judge Mitks
who Is holding the Criminal Court Ia The 1ld
United States Court House luildIng 1.-The City
having 10 Court House building al this ima
The time fixed for the trial being Known
thousands Of people gatheIed around the Court
House building TO get look al the female
prisoner and those connected With her uii'.
Promptly M 10 oiciuck the Court WIS called
to order The Attorneys, WITNESSES and pris-
oner being on hand the trial promptly be-
gar. The States Attorney for this county,
Nr A. PoseY, and the deputy-Smtes Atior-
ney for Baltimore City, Mr. J. N, AeLane,
conduete1 the prosecution and Hon. ).
Mudd and ex-deputy- States Attorney Camp
bell conducted the defense. The work OF
getting a Jury took about two hours aud il
seemed to he fair body OF men. The evil
deuce showed that Mrs irwin fixed hy let
Ter place of meeting with Matthews on the
Friday preceding the murder, when Irwin was
killed, that Matthews 9ss couvic ed as prin-
eipal in the commission Of the crime aud that
she was asleep in bed with her husband wien
be was killed Then Matthews was brought
over from the Jail to testify as to the counsel
and advice Mrs Irwin had given him regarding
the killing and the aid she gave him pre- ed
ing the murder. He had stated his willing
ness to the States Attorney to testify previ-
Gus to the trial and told much if n all tile
story. showing Mrs. Irwin to have been an
accessory beyond a doubt To the surprise
of every one, however, when called to the
witness stand, he refused even TO be sworn.
His action brought halt to the case. No
ph, steal force could be used to make him les
tifv. his action leaving the State so TAR KS
eliminating testimony against Mrs. Irwin was
concerned at his mercy. Counsel aud advice
had no effect o change the unacconntaoie 81 nd
he took and he was sent back to the lock
up to await bis hanging. The defense re-
fused to put in anv testimony and the case
was given the jury without Argument, the
latter rendering verdict Of not guilty with
out leaving he box. Mrs. Irwin was dis
charged and left Baltimore for Washington
City, where ii is expected she will make her
future home Public sentiment is running
high against her and the feeling against Mat
thews is much aggravated By his deceiuul
and uuaccountabie conduct at her trial. The
Governor on Tuesday, the day after the trial
signed Matthews death warrant. He will be
hanged at the county Jail on the 18th OF
March next. There are some people Idle
enough 10 talk about asking for a reprieve
for him, but we hardly think there is man
in the county indiscrCet enough 10 venture
upon such an undertaking. There was some
sympathy fol him before Mrs Twins trial,
but his deceptive conduct in refusing to testi-
fy against her has dispelled all warmth Of
feeling for him, and his death upon the gal
lows awaits him and be will die without ii
friend to regret his taking away save such as
emanate from the charity filing every chris
tan heart.