Bradford reporter. (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, September 15, 1847, Image 1

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TOWANDA:
itictinvibati glotitintt, September 141, 4817
TRIAL OF JAMES P. LANGFORD.
Report of this Trial and Conviction of JAS.
P.I.ANSWORD, for the murder of his while
• Ateaereat Aanglord. late of Rome tOWlllallp,
Bradford -County, Peasaylvaitta. •
In the Adjourned Court of Oyer and Terrniner,
for Bradford county, Junnl.s, 1847 ; before Hon.
JOHN CONVNGHAM, President, and Har r y-
gan and Reuben Wilber, Associates.
A "Tine Bill," was found against the prisoner,
by the Grand Jury- 2 4,t their regular term in Februa.
ary last, eltarginglum with " murder of his wife,
by shooting her. To which, he. pleaded Not guilty.
The court convened on Tuesday, the 15th day of
June, 1847, for the purpose of trying the prisoner
en the chat* contained in the indictment, but in
the absence of a material Witness on the part of the
Commonwealth, adjourned until 8 o'clock, next
morning
LNLESDAY, Lune 16, 1847
Bofh parties annout*d to the Court that they
.Arere ready to pit:reed jo trial.
Counsel for the Corornortwealth—E. \V. HAZARD,
.11ep. Ally. Gen., for Brailford eoantjr;ilVm.
and J..3 - AbAte; 7 Esquires.
For the Prisoner- 7 D4VID WILMOT ; E. W. BAIRD
and Jo4N C. KNOX, Esquires..
The panel of Jurors drawn for this court, were
then called over, and respectively answered to their
lanfets. The prisoner Wa4 informed that he was
entitled; to twenty peremptory challenges, without
assigningikwy-catise, and as many more as he could
show cause for.
The challenges having•been all made; the' fat
perfons ;were selected' as jururs,•and sworn
1. J, M. Watts. 7. Robert ~Iq. Kee.
. Thom:4 WolOtt, 8. Wm. Vandyke.
:t Robert Lewis. 9. George Miller.
Harry Ada, 10. Hiratn Gee. •
5 E. .C. 11. (;eo. C. Clazfzett,
'6 E. G. Durfey t . 12. M. Alexander.
•
Two conkablettufre appointed by the'Court,
take charge of. the 'jury, during the progress of the
•
The rairse'was then opened h . i"E. W. Ha7atro,
and the commonwealth called— . •
Dr. W. . Kanner. who. havirig. been duly
-worn. that about six rOclkk, P. of
11..11,14, the eleventh of January laSt o 'lle was sent
or and went to Langtord's house, found 'Mrs. Lang
tard .itting on the heti, and . Langford by. the side of
fier. She spoke,--said she was shot, and thought
-ae was Mg. I asked who did it, and Langford
cphed that lie did., and asked if he (K.) thought it
"as taint. That he examined the wound and gave
a• my opinion tat there was no
. chnoce of her
recovery. Langford, on being itiquiro of how it
happened, stated that it was an accidel'it ; to Which
Mr Kinney made answer—" I have net to learn
that it was an , accident." She then spoke, and
yes, it :is an accident, although there
is limiting to prevent it." L. then got up and said.
a was right, ant! Maths, wanted her to say to all
the worhl*fhat he was innocent. He then advancL
e,I tw., or three 'steps, fell upon the floor and said,
• give me some camphor and water,or I shall die."
I told him to die or get up and help himself. He
the n got up and went to the buttery and got some
water or something else—when he went to the hilt-
!cry she took hold of my arm and wished me to
take care of her, and take care of myself, and not
fen Langford come near the bed. When L. came
out of the buttery I inquired where. the pistol
,wits,
i.14 . - . 4bout the same node Mr, Wattles came in, he
got the pistol and handed it to me. Before d. Mr.
Wattles-earne tangforcbstated how the matter
occurred. He said he loaded the pistol to kill a cat
and while he was putting on the cap, the pistol
%vent off half bent--,that he stood about six or eight
feet from the place where she did when the acci
dint happened. She Was standing by the stand do
ing some kind of work attd as she turned round, it
went off and hit her. The stand wag near the bed
in the north east corner Of the room. He stood-ve
ry near the centre, rathpr near the east and south
side of the room; I now have the 'pistol with rep.
(The pistol was her pretiented.) I tried the pistol
next nurrning, and it.went off very hard. Dr.
Rice had it two or three days. I left Latig.ford's
iiouse about ft) or 11 o'clock in the eveningand be
fore he was arrested. She seemed agitated , when
ever lie carne near the bed ; several times rmotion
ed him away: I lived about a mile from Langford's,
is Rome. This occurrence took place at his house.
Mrs. Allen. was the 'only one I saw there when I
to there, besides his own family.. His family eon
msted of his wife and three children. His oldest
might have been seven or eight years old. The
Round was a-pistol shot, passing in about an inch
r'r an,inch and airlf from the navel, passing down-
Ilard anct.Casne:ouf of the right hip. It went in at,
the ri;ht side and a litle above the navel. ' I was
there when the ball was found, it was in the quil
ted skirt she had on, lodged in the cotteri Orment.
. 11 came out some tour or six inches lower than it
entered She lived till Thursday night Of the same
w eek.'atior r t 14 or 1 1 o'clock, the 14th day of the
m enal• I think the character of -the wound was
. to prodliCe death. I don't see how it could
through in that direction Nrithout producing
° 7 4 . I saw on her wrists, powder that had been
-rrlt in, rather on the tufder side of them. I ex
/14111ed it closely at the timegand should say it was
P i 'u4er. This appearance was some two or three
m6l P"along on her writsts—both of them: She
nil medical attention, during the time of her
`Dr. Rice, Dr. Weston and myself well
t re durin2 thelime of her sickness. I heard her .
suff e red
she rhought.' she would not get
4. : She suffered much pain, during the time I
there she Was quite easy by sPells
cftitt-ex4rned.—lt did not exceed ten minutes
afv.r I ita,l- he it, I 1 "e I
~ yeas there. t Mrs.
'bites ,ca; ,Itttty , an the trundle-bed or on a chair,
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PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY, AT TOWANDA, BRADFORD COUNTY, PA., BY E. S. GOODRICH- k SON.
I did not miniVirteli, when I !jot there., • When I
went in she (Mrs. Langford) -let g0..0f him and
took bold of me. • It wasbefore he showed me how
it happened that l said 1 had yet tb learn it Was an
accident. It - was after he showed me how it hap
pened that I took him away from the bed. - don't
recollect that f had any editversatron with Mrs. Al
len. Langford stood by and saw me examine' the
wound ohis was Soon after I went . in, and before
Langford showed me how it happened. }think
the pistol was laying on the table when heave it
to me. When I asked for it, he said
." I have got
it" The hammer of the pistol 'was on the tube
when he handed it to me. I think I did not try it
till the next morning. • I did not load it. , I only
pied it to see how hard it went. I don't recollect
of an exploded cap being an the tube. I think he
told me haw the accident happened before he fell
upon the floor, as before stated, when I told him to
die: I think he got up immediately from the bed
when I went in. I think he was standing close by
the bed when he fell upon the floor the first time.
He did i not ask for water when sitting upon the bed.
He asked lor , w.ater the first time, and for camphor
and water the second time.
It was about six o'clock when she was shot,-
They both said so. She had pains the first even
ing, but not so intensely as the second evening.
Atintah Wattles, sworn. , . -_I was at Langford's on
Monday the Ilth J4nualy—a young lady came to
my house and wished me to go to Langford's; he
had . shot his wife I went' up. I lived one
ride 40 or 50 rods from the house. When I got
there Dr. Kinney and Mrs. Allen were there.
mok the candle and went to the bed. I observed
to he; that she was badly off. She i - eplied.that she
%Vas—pulled down the clothes -and examined the
wound. I turned to him.' asked him how this acci
dent happened. 'He went to the bureau and took
the pistol up. (Here witness described the Man
ner in which the prisoner held the pistol,. &c.) I
then asked him where his wife stood. He said
she stood by the stand—the room is sixteen feet
square—the stand was to the left of Mr. Langford ;
I think she. should be three or four feet from him ;
Ithe bureau Was oh the south side in the corner with
the end towards the east. I then asked him how
she stood—he said she stood with her hack to him,
1 -1-Y-141**Aie laLeasy, Mr. Cangford sat at the trundle
bed taking care Sf a-4ittlo.,child which was not veti
•well, whenever she would move or struggle . he
would go towards the bed and . she would,rnoVe her
hands to keep him away. This occurred two or
three times—she desired•me to turn her over and I
did so. . At one time he came near the bed and
laidßebecca. shall I pray for you r She said
No, go away." I remained there an hour or an
hour and a halt—l went and goof my Wife. After I
goebark they wished me to send my son after her
lathet and mother. I did send. I was called there
about dark. When the boy started to go to Towan
da. T obServed to her that she was dangerously
wouUded and if she had any thing to-siaY, she had
better do it. She said when her mother came she
would tell her all about it.
Cross-examined.-LL. ,:tras in the, room the time
this last conversation occurred: L. requested me to
s'ettd for Dr. Huston. The boy was told fo get Dr.
'Huston to come. Briggs came with Di. Weston.
Mrs. Mereur, Mrs. Tompkins. Mrs. Woodruff:,
Do not know whp went after Dr. Rice. Langfelid
made every attempt possible to get to the bed—
r,ho would put out her hands to keep him off and
roll her -eyes as if she was afraid.
John V. Weston sworn =I was called upon to go
and visit Mrs. Langford - after she was shot. I got
there about it 'o : clock„ She was lying.;on the bed
with her shoulders a little raised from a horizontal
position. The wound Walk shown I<;l,•Ae where the
ball entered and where it I examined
her symptoms and concluded at once that die wound
was a fatal one. Dr. Kinney was thee and Dr.
Rice came - there—she was informed at the time
that there was no hope of her recovery-she must
Pie. I staid till morning and returned to Towanda
with some of the family : had,. some conversation
with her. She' was perfectly sensible; appeared
more 'reconciled to her fate than any person I ever
saw. From what she said to me, I examined her
wrists: they were blown very full of powder, the
under or tender part, for the space of two or three
inches; found this kdl ; it was very rough. She
said it had been-shot before through a board. Lang
ford described to me howthe pistol was loaded ;
there was no wadding, bit a patch was used : the
ball entered nearly two inches above the navel and
about a half inch to the right in a direct line froth
the navel tathe pit of the stomach, and passed out
two inches below the top of the hip bone exam
ined L.'s left wrist air:Mound burnt powder in that.
'Dr. Ladd and myself made a post mortem examina
tion. We !mind the liver torn, rent, wounded, the
width of the ball was cut MO it ; the 'ball passed
through a portion of the large intestine ; the wound
was of a character to produce death.
Cross-esiwzined.—Mrs. Briggs was -sent for that
night. .Langford was arrested iii an hour or two
after I got there. •
Hiram Rice sworn.—l visited Mrs., Larigfonton
the same 'tied she was wounded, amingifte
evening; i examined the wound. shAiii. 4Osi
ble of her situation, reasonable, she died on Thurs
day night the same week ;, the injury received - fiom
the fatal shot was, most undoubtedly of a character
to produce death. It was repeatedly said she must
die in her hearing—repeatedly by myseff and oth
er Doctors present. Her wrists was filled with gun
powder nearly half way to her elbow,- - qiiite black.
She was perfectly reasonable and sensible of her
situation. I was with her two thirds of the tree
81 e died. I was with her when she died. It
was on Thursday night. 'The cause of het death - ,
Was injury received from the - pistol shot. I
va l(
Motion e d
part of the time Langford was there. She ;e
mimed him away from her, bed, when he came
near her. The e pistol must have been very close
to her wrists am the appearance of the powder.
Cross-examined.—l form this opinion from the
fact that the powder could not be carried far and
"111100DISSIAIF• DESANCIATON Pilo Mint QUAATER.7
,
penetrate the Skin. The skin . was ve ry slightly if
any inflamed. The blaze from powder might burn
so as to inflame at two or three inches. I think
brks were. applied to her feet. It strikes me that
Langford applied them. Don't know who heated
them. He asked me as to the character of the
wound. I told hint I thought it unnecessary tocar
ry the examination . of the wound any farther till
Dr. Huston came. I told Langford I . thought the
wound would' be fatal before Huston came. I think
they had not started a team to Towanda when I
came there. When I told him the wound was fa
tal, he said nothing but drew a long breath.
C. K. Ladd sworn.—[This witness corroborated
the testimony of Dr. Weston as to rthe appearance
presented - by the body on the post mortar examin
ation.] •
Mrs. Arena!, Wattles sworn.—l was at Langford's
soon after she was shot, the samenight—was there
when he was arrested ; -when he came from the
justice's Morris Creamer came in and said he wan
ted to come jails house-; some of the men, I think
Mr. Briggs, said he would ask her and if she wan
ted to see him he might come in; he asked her
and she said ahe did not want to see hire ; they ask
ed her if she had any particular word to fend ; she
said she had ; the first words she said were, "tell
him I shall tell the truth : tell4Um I freely forgive
him, and pray that God • niay forgive him." Dur
ing the evening she was very unwilling to have
him come about her—seemed very much agitated
when she thought he was coming,4 to the:be s .d—l
staid there all night—after he wiettaken awsiyl did
/ 1
not have 'much to say to her; when I first went in
I took old of her hand and asked if she was badly
hurt c she said She thought she was—that she would
live t a very little while. I replied that she was
a Kaman who had seen much trouble.
Cross-examined.—Mr. L. did not come into the
house i
was ‘tiken between 12 and 1; it was not
daylight whdn he returned. Mrs. L's father and
two or three of her sisters were there. M. L was
out and in, chopping wood, making fires' &c. be
fore he was arrested.
Silas F. Washburn re-called.-1 was the ecaista
bin who had L. in charqe ;it was L's request that,
he should stop at home till morning at any rate : he
asked me whether he might go in when we got
there; hadn't told him for certain whether he might
go in ; told him some one might go in and if she
wanted to see him . he might stop. Morris Cranmer
.and J. W. Woodburn, went in to see: . after a few
Minutes Creamer came out and - he asked him what
she said; Monii says to L. she says she “ never
wants to see you again, prepare to meet your God.
for you have murdered-me." Crammer has gone
to Mexico. L. said he thought it was hard to be de
nied the privilege of seeing his family. And if he
could not go in, some one must go in and get his
clothes. -
Cross-eramined.-'-1 do not knew at what time I
arrested L.—avas waked up at half-past 11; Ensign
Miller came after me; I went & arrested him; I fired
a mile and half from ; the first thing I said to
him was that he was my prisoner; L said well ;
before we started from the house - he plead hard to
stay till his wife died or got better. After Crattmer
brought the message, L. said if you Wont let me go
in, let me go to the window and see her.
John N. A Gcfon recalled.—The countel for the
Commonwealth proposed to prove by this witness
the dying declarations of Mrs. Langford ; the coun
sel for the dOeadant objected on the ground that
her statements having subsequently been corrimitt=
ed to writing, and sworn to before a magistrate,
said evidence was inadmissible. The court however
admitted the'evifience. .
cbarsiton by Mr. Wiintot. 7 -1 told her previously
to her making the declaration she made, that there I
was no human probability of her living: no hope
was held out to her of living, previously to her mak
ing
the declaration I informed her she might live a
few hours; or a day or two or three.; did not tell her
that she would die in an hour; think I told her. that I
she plight live forty-eight hours; informed her of
her danger two or three hours before she made the
statement; the declaration was made idler the pris
oner was taken away. I asked her to tell me how
it was ; the time that I asked her to tell use bow it
was, I told her there was no probability oilier con
tinning long in this world, and she was, aware of
her speedy dissolution ; spoke to her with confi
dence of her inability to live : it was not expected
that she would linger along ; was present when
IVoodburn took her examination—they thought she
was dying towards morning. Don't know at whose
suggestion the justice was sent for.
Dired, returned.-1 told hey, I wanted her to tell
how it occured ;he had gone out of doors after
wood. I then asked her if Langford told her he
was going to kill her before he did.: 'She 'then oh.
served 'ldeal ask me any iluestieMs ittered it; the
children are all here, .aelt, them, they saw„all : 14 7 '
tle Willie will tell the truth." At this time there
were Bor 10 persons in the house ; she said no
more till eller Langford went away. Allerhe went
away I Went to the bed, sat by her aide. and asked
her how the matter wait , :'she said he had the pistol
in 'his hand, came toworde her threatening herlife';
she baCked up between 040411Aild and the bed r near
the head of the bed, where he gotiseld ofher,,she
grasped his hands fast in hers and suppreed she
had them secure; (sbe raised upher *teas te show
me how ;) she said that he motioned to Rels-upoti
het and she then eicelaiimmi. - -"0 !Imp 'Wier bus:::
band, don't take my life don't shoot nie." She said
she then had hope that she would not be killed ;
she found he was more deternmingdond she call
ed aloud on her Maker to spare her bk.; the - pistol
discharged when she ultemil these wonLs;thal was
the last she said. She then walked to the bureau,
stood up against it, did'nt know - she was hurt she
then walked to the
.;stove, took a chair and sat
down; while sitting there she felt smarting from the
wound, explained her clothes and found the trail
hole, she said then be then came to her and said
cimy dear, have i hurt you, I did'nt Mean to," he
discovered then that she was injured and said "I
have inurdenul irryiw ife and shall be hung :iv kill
myself" At then took 011 his coat and vest; again
said he would kilt himself She said to no, what
what will become of the children !" lie then said,
"Won't you condemn me r• she didn't answer, but
said " go for the doctor."
She said that when he came home from abroad
he was pretty cheerful; she tho'A he was going to be
in good humor—they ate supper. After supper he
becanie angry and vexed ; about something, and
used some threatening language: then stepped out
of doors, went a few steps, turned about and came
in great rage; told her then he would have her
life. She said he then went towards her with • a
pistoL
Cross-examined.—These declarations were not
made in a tone of voice that would enable others
to hear. She did not at that time tell me about his {
loading the pistol ; my feelings vrere'not strongly
excited at the time. Before Langford was arrested
very little was said by her. The arrest was talked
over out of doors: At the time she made the dec- I
laration She knew that he was arrested. I do not
know whether she made the statements to others ;
did not hear her statement made to the Justice : she
did not tell me what the dispute between her and
L was about; I did not inquire what the difficulty
was she did - not say that he made conditional
threats : she didn't refer to the children at the time
she told mP the arrest was not made in con
sequence of anything she told me. She did not
tell me what Langford got angry about. I made no
inquiry of her about it. There was no condition to
his threat. She rested some in making the state
.ment to me when I put the question whether he
threatened to shoot her before he did, she said '
yes. I think the arrest 'was not made in conse
quence of anything she said to me. I dont think
she said anything about his saying there was no
capon. I did riot see the pistol that night. I saw
it the next moming:Dr. Kinney had it when I saw it.
John - W. Woodburn sworn.—l was at Langfonl's
on the evening of the 11th and momin" of the 12th
of January last: put down a- short statement in
writing, made by Mrs. Langford ; commenced tak
ing it the latter part of the night—some time after
midnight : (statement handed to witness) this is the
statement I took down ; it contains a narration of
facts as given by her to me ; the statement was
read over to her; she was sworn before a word was
written; previous to its being taken. she was trou
bled with spasms and appeared to have difficulty
of breathing and speaking. It was suggested to
me that her deposition shculd be taken in writing ;
I had to wait some time on account of her spasms,
fee, : she then appeared to get a little quiet. and
they told me I had better proceed or speak7tto her
on the subject ; I went to her bed. and told her it
was the request'of her friends -and the neighbors
that she should give a statement the tarts. She
hesitated for some time, whether on account of ina
bility to speak, or unwillingness, can't say : waited
some time; couldn't get any answer; then told her
if she concluded to. state the facts, rind it she would
faire her hand, I would administerthe oath. After
a little she raised her hand and spoke, • Must J
condemn him I" and put down her hand. After
a little she raised her hand and the oath was ad
ministered. She spoke about difficulties which
originated that evening; I told her that as she was
so feeble she need not relate all the conversation,
but narrate the facts in wished and easy way as pos
sible. 1 began to write down as she began to speak,
just what she said; I took pains to ascertain what
she did say as she spoke low 1 eat close to, I put
.my ear to her month; after it was written I read it to
her. I give the detail word for Word as she gave
A me, when I commenced I dick not think she
would live to sign it. She signed it by making a
mark. I did not ask a question but took down
just what ehe told me.
THURSDAY, June 17
[The following, it a copy of the staleinent made
.by Mrs. Langford.]
Personally appealed before me the subscriber, a
Justice of the Peace, in , and for the County of
Bradford, Rebecca Langfonl. and made oath in due
form ofjaw. as renews: That on last evening, it
being the eleventh day of January 1847. James
Langford hematite question her about Odlirge Coryell,
giving her liquor;,says that she told him that she
would TOW before her God • that it was not true :
that he Langford, btnwk her twice, and then he ask
ed me where that pistol was. I told him that it
was on the shelf; be then got it and loaded it; he
then said there was a larger load in it than there
was the other day, and it will go through your
heart. After talking some time he said the hull' I
will have. orl will have your'beart. He then took
the pistol out of his pocket and corked it and point
ed it at me. - I begged and plead with him. and
called on God. but beshot me. 'lie then said, have
r hit you Rebecca I I hain't hit yeti. I had no in
tentionothitting you; I had no cap on the pistol.—
OI I have murdered my wife and shall have to be
t i eng. He said it was not intentional. Ale took off
his coat and vest % and said he 'would stab himself;
He said, 1 can't live. I told Mini wanted him to
live to take care of the childrett he says, won't
voo condemn me ? I told him to go for the doctor.
hold him I knew the ball could! . be taken out : I
thought it had not wentthrough. He said he would
go for the doctor, and further saith
H. S. Whitting sworn.—Mr. Langford rode With
the last fall from •Alonroeton to 'Rome; he said he
was then lemming from down the river; cannot tell
what time in the fall it was. He had a pistol with
him ; tan' the pistol bat cannot recognize it ; spoke
to hiin about carrying fire arms in a civilized coun
try ; fold Irina I tierefraw any need of them.
.
He reimakedlb the that he had got it fir the ex
press purpoie of taking his wife's sweet life. He
maid he wanted to kill George Coryell & 2 or 3
others that he named, but do not recollect them ;
Was acquainted with Cmyellbut not with the others.
He Said When he bad done that, he was willing to
die. Langford saidnothing, more ; I lived at Mon
.
roeton.
Cross-examined—l lived with Mr. Lawrence an
uncle of mine ; moved inhere a ypar ago this Spring
front the town of Berkshire, Tiogi Co., N.Y. ; was
not acquainted with Langford ; wa.• an entire Anui
ger to him ;liave not lived with Cory ell ; but neigh
bor to him; think it was while going through Wy
sox that he'told me this. He witsliring the pistol
occasionally along the road. Esquire Woudbttrn
and three or four others were iii the wagon. 7---
Whether the others heard 'it I do not know. Ile .
was sitting on the front seatwith me under an um
brella and did 50 , talk over and above loud. H e
sat in the wagon, and fired off his pistol 4 or 5 times.
I think that after he had shot his wife I was speak
ing of it at Kinney's in Rome ; think Kinney was
there ; think I mentioned it to my uncle itatuediate
ly aher the transaction (the shooting) teplr.' placei .
think Langford at that time was not a sober man.—
He was talking pretty loud ; blustering, but; did, not
ask 'him what he was going to kill his wife for ;
could'nt any that he was very serious' when he
made the remark ; had seen him several times be
fore.
Silas F. Washburn:scam—l know that,,Ltut4ord
and his wife parted previously to this transa4tioni
think about a year before ; think that last summer
they commenced living together again ; was driv
ing past the house one time, my horses anti sleigh
were ahead of me drawing logs; just as the team•,
was going on to the bridge between—Rome *rings
tavern and where Langford lived. I heani
one call, " Silas." I looked round to Mrs. L. on.
the threashold of the door, and then in an , instant
saw L step to the r door and his arm was raised and
he struck her. Giving her a motion out of doors.—
Then she said, help me—keep James away from .
me. She kept on towards the, and I step pe a buck
towards them. He stepped out on to a stone there
was by the door'and I told him logo back. As she
got past me she said it's the last time you'll get a
chance to abuse me old fellow, you have whipped
me more than a hundied times. She then went to
Coryell's . who kept a public house. She run into
the house, and I went down and stopped my horses
then camel:rad:, and after !came back to Coryell's
and had been there a few minutes Mr. L came
and wanted to know where his wife was; Coryell
replied that she was in the house. Ile then twit
ted Coryell of trying to break up his family. . Mr.
Coryell then wanted to whip him, - and wished to
get my whip, but I would not let him have it.,
_I,
had hard work to keep then► from fighting.
Crass-examined.—Mr. Langford lived about ten
rod from the Spring House.
[Here Commonwealth rested.]
THURSDAY Ar RNooc 7 June 17
The defence was opened by E. W. BAIRD, gSq.
Miss illbinal; Wattles sworn—l was at Mr. Lang
foars on the'moming of the 11th Jau. to borrow a
pepper-mill. Langford was around in the buttery,
picking up disheii. I remained but a few moments;
id left Langford there when I went away. He
was assisting, his wife. Defendant said he could
wash dishes as well as the best of women. She said
he had done better around the louse than the 'girl
they had then. This was about 9in the morning.
Daniel virorn--,Latigfortl - came to my shop
on the 11th Jan. to get work done. My shop is a
little over half a mile from Langford's. , He had a,
stove lid and an axe he wanted mended. I told
him I would fix the stove lid• but did not think
could the axe that day. I told him that it was too
weather to temper it. Langford went off to the vii
laze with , rrie one, but I don't recollect who. lie
might have been gone 2i hours. It was after din
ner when he came back. He then. staid till I dohe
the work. He went away down the mad about
o'clock. I did temper the axe, for he said he would
run the risk of the temper. He said he would pay
me if I would fix it. and he did.
Cross.e.ramined—l spoke to Langford as he sat on
the forge, and asked, What are . you guilty Of ! He
said " Nothing' )
Picrpont A l . Maynard sworn.-1 met defendant on
the filth January, above Maj.
,Elliotes; with sorry -
thing atx,ut a stove in 166 hand—he was going to
wards bliller's shop. I went to the mill arid came
back to Miller's shop and found him there. Front
there we went in :a few minutes up to the village.
On our way lie said if I would purchase Johnson's
half of some lumber, he would advance the money.
1. told him I would ItiLand do it. lie told me be
had logs. His business was buying lumber in small
quantities. We stopped at Kinney's; I took some
brandy ; he took nothing.
,
Joseph Elliott surorri.—l raw Langford in the,raOr
fling of the 11th Jan. ; a little after breakfast—came
to my - house to get an ale loge; fixed ; he had hift
it of me the week before. Ue spoke also about'
getting a grist of buckwheat. I next saw him. that
day not far from stmdown. I was at my barn. He
said he came for the buckwheat. Had a bag and
a little jtt, with him. I said I was Sorry he did
not come sooner, Al was in a hurry. 'I went to
the Cont-house. and put a bushel into his bag. He
then observed to me that he would take two bash:
els. He then wanted his jug full of cider for his
wife, and I filled it and he went home. He left his
bag there in an open shop. I Was owing him grain
for harvest well:.
S. F. Wash?writ, recalll4l.—l met "Langford soon
after noon at Rome village on the 11th Jan. I Wasl
at the barn where I used to live. , He asked me
I was going to pay hjm Some money. if told him
I Wanted to settle with him first. He wanted I
should come to his house 4nd settle that night:
refused, and told him to cline to my house, or T
would meet him af tsq. 'Woodburn's. He said he
would not, and if I did not, Weuld . cothe to town
and sue me. After" arrested taniford, he went to
the bed, stooped down and kissed his tvifdi and
took his comforter- from the bed.
Crost , exastinerf.=As he kissed her the turbeW ter
head over front him. He said he' did not want a
intigment—he wanted his pay of every body, for
his business was such that he did not intend to stay
about here.
Mrs. Clarion Allen swnrn..4 was ai home am the
11th 3an. when Langford came to M. house, and
wished the boy to go after Drs. Kinney and . Rine;
The boy went. When he tune to our lant4o, he
asked where Buritms was. He wax gone below
to his uncle's. I asked him what he- wanteall .He
said he wanted hini to go for the/ pr.. We.• replied
him what was the mattert- Oe- said he tad shot
hi 4 wife. He tamed and went
..to the door, and
then came back into the kitchen door. He asked it
. 1".14t
t•; tr,il
ev
■
I=
tr , -
- , 1dr.7t1;-**
ME
INEEI
MITE
the boy woold go quirk. Mr: A fen etaiti tit4Otild;
he had , riven hint.his orders. :th-.4!0r O. Lord
said F aerfopl, 11 1 (iw wild this t
ed ! and went out.. I went tip n Iffilt#itifer ;:11its4r
Moody went up with me. Lai , Ard'eame to . thW
•mad WhereNk half shim** Add . ; Do go in'F
Mrs. Mien, and put his 'ffiuidtt . Mips Mikiolk'S•
shoulder at the 'stole time. 1 a. `ed hini if she *ha' .
alive. He said of e,Oitnie skeqs; 4:Aided in ; Whi•
IMigfota sat on a tie* not far fi 'the Morel' she'
lookedinti at me, and sag tiltleatt,tte'!itiro .
ed. 1 msde.nO binsitreV. She kerin'tlttr
I don't know as be istietedljr: "Ifieistatiltigteitt'
many mimitei becire 'Dr: 0
Moody' .refit td Mr. *ankh', .
Mr. LarigfOrd sat by the tide Of
Before she went to the bed he
hung, but it uvula not forth
tell Mrg. Allen" sII *nit
She said, yetrinow it *de net
.......u f yntratno. .. ...
my dear. 'I - do n't reetiltect of
'Made: It trasbekne Mts. Mocs
think. I don'ethinic of 91g n'
was said, till Dr. Kinney came.
Miss Amanda Moody worn.—
Langford came there! Heinqui
Allen was. Mr. .Allen asked
his son, lie said to g'o'
he had - shot his wife and •• •
Rice. The boy went. I welit
Allen. Langford came to the
"ped,'put.his hand on my elm
if I would not go in: I went i
in the chair near the stove, and
could be helped. Mr.. Lumtirra
. thing to save hint front the gall.
know my dear you did not do
said it would not be this act *heal
ford asked her if She would not
and helped her on it. She la ! ,
waiddlike to see' erz- Wit
asked if some one would not w:
Wattles' folks would, come op, 1 told Ithat the I
would go, and-went lie wanted theist tai go for: .
her folks.- When fireturned, - nKinney - hadcortio,
Albinah Wattles cobra , up W . me from Mr: Wat.
ties, After he helped her. to , e bed, le sat and
1
held her up, because shecouki not lie down:.
Crots-curniined.—There vra nothing atilioi about
the wound, .wikether the ball , eat • throoghe We
made no examina t tion of the wottud before Dr"
Kinney came, . 1 . ,-
Ile Witt If tltlei. I vats at Langford's half
np hour or so after the affairlg nit sitied.; I wentina
to the room-and was..therti . a' monseottu -Mr.:
Langford:came to me and waisted I should go to
Towanda after Mr. Briggs' -bike) and. Dr.- Halo , n,
and if Huston could not coral laturier Dr..Westiin
come, ' Our hcmieslutd beenia.work, and bewant
e.
ed I. should go to Mr. Allen'si r Maj., EUiottlet.for a=
horse., I got one of Mr; All ,- lie said when I
mane down to call at his ho ~ I done so, and
asked him what strordhe wield tosendto,Tcrivan.
da. He told me to tell Stirs., fislks that Motion
wit°
ford was shot. and have them w
me as quick as
they could ! and Dr.llu.ston '' them; He wanted
I should Inairy. . -. • : . ,
Septimue Mulvey „worn,— n the latter part of
1
Ortolier Or the first of Nov. l- ame' up
,from dowis
the river in comp4ty with 'e1?*,..419--‘l4°d.
bUrn, and Albert HAL-- We . ent aboard of aline
boat at Selin'i - groVel '' . The ' afitaitil name was
rentzrand the .- boWsman:s : fund was. Walls.=
Walls, Langford 'arid Mysi . we'ri b the cabin,
Walls asked me if I did Trot wind to buy a pistol,
and reached upon the shelf ' d got it. Odd Idni
In
I had no use for a pistol. gford then came in
and said lie wanted to buy i himself,. and asked
him what he would take ferr it. He said' 10 shil
lings. L said he 44'oithl 'gi e`but` a dollar. lie
a spell and Said he ' (mid' takeit; anal,.
i_ikti
gaie him the dollar.- Waifs idle might Bare die
titer of caps and 'the 'small 'q Uittiti OfitOwder tier
Is. Ile took them but I dcnt oui na he paid TO
them. 4 The Capt. said Wal Avoidd, - not - have sob!
1
it if had not stolen i t at' Witte bit time tie
was down. Ike* in : come ' Sr witli'L'utki 'tole
with him from Monroe to ite. Mr. *lilting
wail thedriver. On the'read ro_ni Moiime toltorne
heard malting sag liy Ir. a :shooting Via wife
{ with the pistol or any body Ise----believe he was
pretty well tulder—his talk cpnsiderable, and
I could hear theni now and en: It rained all the
may. There were 3 seats
umbrella to - eaeh mat. •
. Crosi!-Axamined.—Whiting I
the front se. 1 sat on the
at Sicklei!s—he took a drill
nnithattentiOn to what was
on e did note:are was pretty
ry•te itetitome: .'-
J. W. WoodbartrEsq.;
sent when %ell' °Vial; ..
Langford. Whi • i
g` was
I don't rcritilieet' tie pi
Monroe and Wank '1 don'
it.• Iriained cottgitletatie
1 did not lit-ar . langford sky
in; the ;
Cross4exantine" el' 't
the hind iteat
vet. Itlon'tiittliAleettof he
lion ftiforcf-Liitigfciro4. T!ley.
I-Tiotlieurd them'. :.. • t
` .Iniathan killer /timltil . -:A wa3 ittil Riniiit it. ;no
time trilking:witir Laiigford• \ itAkiiii. &lout buying
hierpista He risked t lie ftlit*:clii4ii.`AOlfre,' I
frirget which.• I thiiiile** fore part of winter or
iu the winter some time. ' Something was said
tihoui trying if_ 'He got thtnigiUitmitinilibn 'amine
iil.„
linntetii trait *iii, theiik' . t iforiT remember - *hut
kiini`Of atimiunition. We ent Out bil th e swill to
tkrii, rind Kiniiey said r batPrit hetter'iihnot it
&ire; fig. there was soffit. lin . :: Übout there. It wag
not . fired . ' fthitik I a4ea *Trivrliathit vioißdtatit
for it.
-Crow-ereminel.-1 um h" 1 wonkynotgigehini
what he *Awl for its I 1 . 4... i .c?, 1 , :;1•V-S 7 ,
Alter? Hick.i. *worn.-4 iltirmrtirfrinii.:iimcrt the
river with Lmattarkri last 141 1 rock in coutpauy
44- 1 • C awl 4., it
•lel Zt 21t [4l
,tWL•;f.
,
f! ttetc,j - , '1.1.rt 40.
IZZI
. ,
122iMi=CIMI
EEO
, t 4
=
~ . :
,"it
I 1 1 410
heY oair reTrest
id,Ti •
Rife; dirti* 44.
siptild be.
! _''act: said;
1.. i
• dfi
yote catf spe d
intehtibtrAit dole.
-.rally' au.. 7
wa'y retrly that Ni
ly left the houSO, 1
'cr itatmatiadith*
[ as Meilisitheif
ed wWeilutrciws
tint Ikwarita4l of
a.: dtiltor.
tie said
This' .41;inney and . :
thete with. Mrs:
ad inhere stop
.0, &id. - asked rile
1.. She: tras - Siainr...,
tied she thotfilit she
said therewas na:4-
S,fte' fetid yeti
intentionally. He
world do it. Lang,
ierdootn on,the bedi
I •
.k tend said she
ore Slrejdtol. 4 ' ile
down and see if
Ilie.lyswni and an
and tangfoivl on
k peat—we stopped
there ; did not pay
ming on lb 'the wag.
red and was in a him".
, yens not pre-
I came up with
driver -froth Mame.
was , fired; between
reidieinber . .nf loading
. lirciinbe to Biome.
iboatihoot.
' ow whether I sat'on
sat 'behind-the dri
rim; dutch' converse
telt have talked and
1- Ne= •