The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-01-09
CIRCUIT COURT.
THE PRITCHARD WILL CASE
The Bloody Tragedies of Cat Swamp
Recalled.

The Circuit Court reconyened on Monday,
docket was taken up, the indicted violators
of the prohihitory law having fed the State.
Charles Carroll. colorcd, indicted for shoot
ing Albert Frisby III the First district, was
called. The case was stettcd and the prisoner
released
The defense not being ready for trial the
ease OF the State VS.. Vim. Brown. charged
with barn burning. was called, but tempo
rarily continued.
TUESDAY.
On Tuesday the civil suit of John pritch-
ard VS.. Alfred b. McVey. executor of Caro-
line Pritchard was taken up and Jury i'm
panneled. Pritchard was represented bv
Albert Constable, ST., and Albert Constable
Jr., John ). Writ and VIM. S. Evans being
counsel for Mcvey
TWO CECIL COUNTY MURDERS RECALLED.
The trial of this case recalls two tragedies
which occurred in that section of this county
known as "Cat swamp located on the road
from Eikton to Newark. where the Pritchard
idHliN t''rlAl''I. NiTOIlIt 1TNtDufi, ln''
widow OF Henry Pritchard. whose will is be-
ing contested died in Wilmington, Del, in
February last. Her will was offered for pro-
bate in the Orphans Court of this county by
Alfred b. McNey. executor. her estate which
is valued at $1,000, being left to Henry Hem
derson her reputed son. To this will John
Pritchard, who claims to be the only lcgiti-
mate son Of Caroline Pritchard by his coUu-
sci filed Il caveat making the allegation that
she was of unsound mind at the time the
will was executed. and was under undue
influence etc. The Issue raised on the trial
was whether the petitioner John Pritchard is
the legitimate child of Caroline and Hrnry
Pritchard this being an essential fact upon
which to base his contest Of the will. The
family relations of the Pritchartls were ncyor
the pieasantest, ana the facts relative to the
murder Of her husband by Edward CHM ia
1851 We're necessarily brought out Caroline
was then known rs "Redn Caroline to dis
tngtish her from her sister-in-law Black"
Caroline vino, in those days. was the house
keeper of CHM who lived close 10y the Prilch-
ards. On September G. 1851. CHM who had
been drinking heavily went home and found
"Bac&' Caroline his houscke per absent
He went to Henry Pritrharu's house nearby
tho husband Of Red" Caroline, and an alter
cation taking place, he drew a pistol shooting.
his dousckceper "BIarkn Caroline in the side
Henry PFJtchard in the melee having three
fingers of his hand shot on Pritchard Co.
capped from his house and fled to his brother
Jesse Pritchard's, being afraid CHM would
Kill him. In the meantime CHM went to his
house. procured his gun, ana following Henry
Prtchard up. shot him in the breast ut his
doorstep. killing him on the spot. CHM was
arrested and while under indictment at
tempted suicide, was tried in Hartford county
in March. 1852 was found guilty, but died
before he was executed.
The second murder in the pritchard family
occurred in November 1852, when Maria
Pritchard, the reputed wife OF John Pritch-
ard, brother OF Henry, was the victim. Her
body, stripped Of clothing, was found some
distance from her house in the morning. APP
parcnty II knife having been used in her
killing. A jug had been placed by her side
and two fingers of her hand were found
through its handle, TO create the impression
that she had died from exposure through
incompetence. Her husband, John Pritch-
ard, RED" Caroline and "Bllck' Caroline
were arrested, tried and convicted of her
killing. John Pritthard being sent to the
penitontiary for fifteen years, Red Caro-
line, whose will is now being contested. was
sentenced for five years, and "Blackn Caro-
line for i've months. john Pritchard, after
his release from the pcnitcntiary, was run
over and killed on the p. W. & i. Railroad
while Red Caroline located in Wilmington
Del, where she and her house became gcner.
ally known over the city, and where she
accumulated considerable property.
WEDNESDAY.
Hons JOS. A. Wckes and Frederick stump
presiding the examination of witnesses in the
Prtchard viii ease was continued, until
THURSDAY,
when at II o clock. a. M, it was given 10 the
jury, which at II a returned verdict for
john priicharl the cayeator.
The criminal ease against William Brown,
indicted for burning the barn Of Joseph
W. Weber in the Fifth district was taken
up, and tried before jury which acquitted
him.
The case of Maloney vs.. Ellen Maloncy, Il
suit for wages claimed to be due the plain
tiff occupied the court until its adjournment.
At Z p. m. the motion for new trial in the
case OF Davis vs.. Tome Institute was argued
and over-rued 10y the court, Judges Russum
and Stump, presiding.
On Friday morning the case OF Maloney
was resumed, and was on trial at the hour
the WING went to press.