The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-10-08


terday-A Revolving I'd Brutal Murder.
George p. Hargraves, of North East, in
dicted for tie murder of the aged Joshua
Miller. near that town on July 20 last, was
declared guilty of murder in the second
degree, at Denton, yesterday morning,
where the case was removed from this
county.
The case was begun on Wednesday and
the examination OF witnesses concluded
at two o'clock on Thursday, when the argu-
ments of counsel were heard. The prisoner
was defended by A. l.. Crothers, Esq. as
sisted by Frank y. Finnan, Esq, of Eikton'
and ex-Judge Russum. of Denton. States
Attorney William S. Evans represented the
State assisted by States Attorney Deweese.
of Caroline county.
States Attorney Evans stated that the State
expected to prove that Hargraves wss with
out money before the murder and Immediate
ly thereafter exhibited q considerable sum
and made large purchases, paying the cash
therefor, and upon being asked to account
for the money gave several contradictory
statements Mr.. Evans also stated that n
knife had been seen in the possession OF the
prisoner after the murder that had been
identified as the property Of the murdered
man.
DR.. Housekeeper, of North East, was the
first witness called, who testified as to the
particulars OF the finding Of the body and the
cause of death.
Emma Barrett testified that she and the
prisoner lived at the same house at the time
of the murder. She said he took her to Will
mington, where they remained over night,
returning the day of the inquest, and that he
spent considerable money In Wilmington.
She saw him on the Goth OF July,
he leaving about 10 O'Clock at night,
saying he was going to get his money out OF
his trunk. He returned next morning about
s o'clock with new suit OF clothes and told
her to get ready and go with him to Will
mington, which she did. He had knife on
the trip and never having seen him with one,
she asked him where he got it. He said he
got it out OF his trunk. This knife witness
afterward found On the floor OF their house
the day of Hargraves' arrest, and afterward
gave it to the officers. The knife the State
claims WIS the property Of the murdered
man.
The blacksmith OF the community testified
that Hargraves worked for him few days
before the murder and he paid him 81, Har-
graves saying that he did not have cent in
the world.
Mr.. Reeder, a merchant OF North East.
testified that Hargraves spent els at his
store on the Thursday after the murder,
which occurred on Wednesday, although the
murder was not known until Friday.
Charles Shippers identified knife which
which belonged to Miller.
Harry Baker swore that this knife belong
ed to Miller. Isaiah Biddle also identified the
knife as that of Miller.
Mrs. Mary Sidwell, mother of Mrs. Barrett,
said Hargraves put money in his trunk on
the day of his arrest. He claimed that this
was money he gave his aunt before going to
the pententiary and she had just returned
it. He told her there were S94 in the roll
Mrs. Marcela Shipley said the accused
was at her house on Monday from 8 a. m.
until 5 p. M. He said he was going to get
$50 the next day and was going to Will
mington to spend it.
Witnesses were produced who told OF his
borrowing small sums Of money before the
murder occurred. One witness loaned him
pistol