Year: 1871

Homicide Trial at Frederick, Md.-SIayer


of n Seducer Acquitted-Excitings Scene


I'm Court Ovation to the Released


Prisoner.


The trial at Frederick Nd, of Harry Craw-
ford Black for the homicide of Colonel w. w.
hcKag, at Cumberland, in October last, was
concluded on the 2lst, having occupied ten DAYS
The deceased had seduced the sister of the ac-
cused, a beautiful and highly accomplished young
lady, and kept up his criminal association with
her even after he had been married, taking her
from her home to Baltimore. The fact
becoming known to young Black, he
each drew pistols, but McKaig being taken at
some disadvantage was killed in the street
Some months previously the father of the Sc
duced had attempted to take the life of McKaig
lasted ten days, and excited the most intense
interest, on account of the high social standing
of the families concerned, all of whom reside at
Cumberland. Among the counsel engaged was
the Hon. ID. w. Voorhees,. of Indiana, who ap-
peared for the defense. The scene while ''waft-
ing for the verdict" and after its rendition is
thus described


At five minutes of 8 o'clock the case was given
to the jury, and they retired to their room.
Large crowds were gathered about the court
house, while q number remained within the hall
believing that the jury would be out but few
moments. Within sight of the court house, on
all the corners, were gathered groups of men,
talking of the trial and its probable result, and
ever and anon eager glances were cast towards
the window of the room where the twelve men
in whose hands rested the life of young Black
were celebrating. Soon after they entered
their room they sent for their dinner, and it was
supposed by that they would have a long de-
liberation before they arrived at any definite
conclusion.


At 5 minutes after o'clock the bailiff having
the jury in charge came down and notified
Chief Justice Maulsby that they had agreed
upon verdict. Judge Maulsby directed them
to be brought down, and at eight minutes after
o'clock they entered the room. After they
were seated the clerk directed the prisoner to
stand up. He stood erect, and seemed perfectly
composed; the audience who had come in held
their breath, as it were; and when the clerk
asked the jury If they had agreed upon a ver-
dict the stiffness was almost painful-not even
the breathing of the vast crowd disturbed the
silence-the jury replied that they had agreed
upon verdict. The foreman arose, and in a
clear, distinct voice said, "Not guilty" One
deafening yell of applause went up from the
crowd, and they rushed forward and raised the
prisoner and carried him from the courtroom.
custody Black had been since the deed was
committed, was the first to embrace Black in the
most aftectionate manner. An admonition
given by the Chief Justice that no demonstra-
tlon would be allowed, went for naught The
pent-up admiration and love that were resting in
the hearts of the audience for Harry Black, even
among those who had never kno gn him save for
the few days of the trial, could not be restrained
by the forms of judicial tribunals. As soon as
his mother, who was standing within the bar
weeping for joy over the release of her son,
and with her walked to the hotel, where during
the day and evening he was visited by hundreds
OF friends and acquaintances who came to con-
gratulate him upon his release.