Huntingdon journal. (Huntingdon, Pa.) 1843-1859, May 13, 1857, Image 2

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    LOONOLITDED FROM FIRST PAGE.]
TRIAL OF M'KINI,
...•••....-
Dr. Thomas F. Rumbold—Attend on Mn,
Norcross, never knew him to have fits. Saw a
razor Mr. Norcross has, (razor shown,) that is
nothing like it.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
William C. Attock—Knew Norcross, pureha•
sea lots from him, identified the money as be.
tag that paid to Norcross ; it was paid in pre
senceof M'Kitn ; told Norcross he had better
take a draft on New York; said he would not
stop there; M'Kim told him be wouldn't take
a draft, if it was he.
John Davis, sworn—Am a resident of Dun
leith, knew the prisoner; never knew him to
have more than ten or fifteen dollars at once.
The prisoner told him it would take all he had
to catty him to Pittsburg ; said Mr. Norcross
might die on the road,and he would be blamed
with killing him ; never knew Norcross to have
fits.
B. Poland—Reside in W. Cambridge Masa.;
knew Mr. Norcross• was present when money
was sent to him. $6OO 1 believe.
TRR FATTIER OF THE MURDERED MAN ON THE
STAND.
John Norcross, nteorn—Live in East Lexing
ton, Massachusetts 3 had a son who went to the
west; saw him last alive the 12th of May, 1855;
saw him next the 20th of January, 1857; he
was then dead; the body was then in my house;
when he left home for the west be had money;'
ho did not tell me how much; have no idea how
much; never knew of my son having fits, or he.
lug insane or violent. [ldentiGes the trunk of
the murdered man, and the pants he wore when
toned near Altoona.)
During the examination of this witness the
most proTound silence prevailed, and it was ev
ident that he had the sympathy of the audience
in his bereavement.
Tux PRISONER IN ALTOONA THREE lIOURS
AFTER THE MURDER. op
John 0, Fleck, sworn—Live in Altoona; on
the morning of the IGth of January the prison
er came to my house for breakfast; he had whis
kers on then; I keep a hotel; he called about
seven o'clock, or a little after.
iross.e.rantL. ae remained at my house I On cross-examination the witness described
twenty minutes; he walked out after paying for I the whiskers and dress of the prisoner.
breakfast; did not see him after he left the house; I THE PRISONER .A. DEPOSITOR.
paid no particular attention to his dress; saw L. J. Harrold, sworn—Am receiving teller
the prisoner again in Altoona when the Sheriff in the Farmers' Bank of Reading ; the book
brought him up; he appeared to be in a hurry produced is the signature book of the Bank ;
the morning he was at my house; don't knot I those who deposit money in the Bank are re
that I told any person of this matter until this I quested to put their signature here, so that
week; thought be was the man the day the She. I when they draw money they may be compared
riff broUght him up, with the exception of the with those on their cheeks ; on the morning of
whhikers; had no particular reason Mr not mere ; the 24th of January, the prisoner at the bar I
Boning the matter then; 'don't recollect of ever stepped up to the counter and said he wished I
tiering said to any body that he was not the to make a deposit ; his money was large gold,
man.
James Terra, sworn—Was inspector of Pan'
$2O pieces, except one piece, the denomination
of which I do not recollect ;the emu ammo,-
senger cars in January last; on the morning of to
to $550; at the same time he offerid
s ue a
the 16th of that month the Express Lain 85 0 bill on either the State of New Hampshire
reached Altoona between - three and four o'clock; , or Vermont, the appearance of which I did nut
saw two passengers get off the train; tookook be e .it was money which we never saw; - took
tire that one of them was a small n the I the bill to the cashier and afterwards handed
other large; they first started towards the store- 1 it to the prisoner, saying we did not like it
house across the track; they got off at the side then I got a small pass book ; [pas te en proopposite the "Logan House;' this is not the duced;T thin is the book; I made the try in
metal aide for passengers to get off; they stood i n i t es i t. i s non., and handed it back to the
a moment or two before they started up the rait- ' Prisoner; told bins when he wanted to draw
road ti the west; the last I saw of them they his money, or to deposit, be should bring the
were one hundred yards from the hind end of I book with him ; heeded him the signature
the Pliztette.r care, going .1 ) the read; they I book to get his nee g, "tomes Bragg Lances
passed the "Logan House' ' and "Bowman aj ter;" he said he was much pleased with Read.
xchange," and went further west ; h ave eeen ing and had purchased a boost- on X street ;
the defendant standing up; I would not like to e n the morning of the 26
26th he came ap to the
say whether or not the tallet;man was built .1' a nmd to draw me money
drew up a cheek and he signed it he went tip
to the counter and the cushier paid him $lO.O
in gold and the balance in notes on the Far
tiers' Bank of Reading; that's all I saw of
him ; the check produced is the one which lie
signed.
The witnas'was cross examined at length,
but his testimony revealed no new facts.
The Register of Faber's toren' and the
check were here offered in evidence by the
Commonweath, and no objection being made,
they went tojury.
KATE NAGLE ON THE STAND.
Kate Nagle, sworn—Was living in Rending
in January last; recollect seeing the prisouer,
don't remember the time, but they say it was
about the 22d of January, think it was about
this time, between the hours of twelve and tine
saw him at Susan times ; indeed I can't rec
ollect what he stated, for I don't remember it
don't know what kind of a house it was; there
were three girls in it beside myself; he remain
ed about a quarter of an hour, and called for
brand 7, he didn't go into any of the chambers,
saw him again at eight o'clock in the evening;
but did not know Mtn till he made himself
known, he acid ho knew Inc when I was quite
a child, and told 11011'1 know exactly
what be told me now; he went up stairs with
tee and contained until morning, lie told me
had been engaged in keeping a house of ill
fame in Philadelphia, and that his wife had '
been dead about fourteen months; he said lie
lived in Philadelphia on Tenth street, above
Poplar, the house he found me in in Reading
was a ;louse of ill-fame, he stayed there till af
ternoon, and then went out and brought in a
watch and chain and a pair of ear rings, (gold
watch and chain produced) this is 4he watch
and chain he bought me.
WEIR'S GENEROSITY.
He gave me the watch first and then the ear
rings; he said he had plenty of money, and
that I should never want for anything; I- was
in very bad health at the time and he said he
would take care of me until I got well, and then
he would take me out went to my people; he
proposeddo marry me, but I said I wouldn't
do it, that I would like to be a little better
acquainted first, he stayed at the house next
night; he slept in the same room with ice ; lie
left early the next morning; he had whiskers
on at this time; he called again at four the
stone day; he said he wanted to take Miss
.Charlotte McKenzie and myself somewhere, he
didn't care where, and he proposed Pottsville ;
can't exactly state what he said about it; he
only said to me that he would 'take care of toe
through my sickness; next saw him on Sun
day at ten o'clock, when he sent for Charlotte
McKenzie and myself. to go sleigh riding; Ave
went riding, and be spoke about our getting
ready to go to Pottsville; he didn't stay at
the house that night ; auto him about six or
halfpast six on Monday morning; then we
left for Pottsville ; the party consisted of Char
lone McKenzie, another young man,, myself
and the prisoner; the young man wan milled
easy Boyer or Bohner, I don't know which;
the prisoners name was Thomas Bragg.
THE PARTY IN POTTSVILLE.
We reached Pottsville at 12 o'clock and put
up at the "Pottsville Hotel;" we had dinner
there; don't know where he slept that night
don't know that there was much done that day
he bought furniture for a Imam; we, Charlotte
and myself were with him when he bought the
furniture; he slept in the new house that night
the whole four of us slept there that night;
McKim, or Bragg, or whatever his name is,
took the house ; we went there ca Friday ant
came away the Saturday week following; the
prisoner went to bed like every body elan ; he
slept in the zoom with me; the furniture was
sent around the house ; when he epoke of going
away to stay two or three days, he told me to
say if any one would call for him that his name
was Wilson; he went away or. Monday mor•
Mug, and I sever saw hint since until now ;
am him have money ; can't tell how inset,
this. stltsetter, thlult the temegtiltintt ttle.% tifgf 111
feet, and the smaller very Ifttle over five feet.
IM POII TA NT TES TIMONE.
•
James E. Waple, sworn—On the Mk of
January I was on the old Clearfield road, about
a mile from Bell's Mills, hauling wood; this was
about halt 'a mile Irons the railroad; I had a
team and sled; a man was standing on the rued
side; the prisoner at the bar is the man; he had !
whiskers on then; when I drove up beside him, !
ho asked me if he might ride ou the sled; told
him he might; he asked me if I was goging far
that road: told him about half a mile; asked
him if he was traveling; he replied that he was
oing to Harrisburg, and from there to Mary
land; asked if his people lived there, and he said
some of them did; he asked me if that was the
way to go to Harrisburg; told him it was; he
said he had come to Altoona on the cars, and
being "strapped" asked an Irishman how much
it would take him to go to Harrisburg, and he
told him $20,00; before that he told the he had
lain sick in Minnesota; he thought he could
walk it cheaper lie said, and he would like to
see the country; it was very cold; he wanted to
hire me to take him to Harrisburg iu the sled,
and that he would pay me in advance what we
would agree on; I .obibeted. and he asked me
the nearest and best way to go to Harrisburg:
told him to go to Fostoria or Tipton, and then
cross over the mountain to Water street; he then
asked me if Fostoria or Tipton were public pla
ces; that was about the amount of his conver
sation; he asked me if I knew where he could
get a good riding horse; be then bid me the
time of day and walked off; when I met with
the prisoner he was seven miles from Altoona;
left him off the public road.
Cross•exentined—Heard of the murder on
Friday; he rode on my sled the day before. ' told
this story to Mr. Stewart before I heard of the
killing of Norcross.
At the suggestion of the District Attorney,
the Court adjourned at half past four, p. m., to
meet again on Mokday morning. Previous to
this, Judge Taylor cautioned the officers hay
ing the jury in charge to permit no newspapers
to reach them, and instructed the jurors them
selves, even if they did, not to read thorn. He
stated that, if the weather were tine, thejury
might be permitted to take exercise, and at
tend a place of public worship if they desired
to do so:
FOtJETH DAY
HOLLIDAYSBURG, May 4th.—The Court met
this morning at 10 o'clock—Judges Taylor,
Jones and Hammond on the bench. The
weather was very inclement, and the lain,
which commenced falling the previous evening,
came down in torrents. This however, spemed
to have no effect on the attendance, and the
court room was even more• crowded than on
Saturday. The interest in the case, too, seem
ed to have greatly increased, and the most in
tense anxiety to hear the evidence was mani•
felted. The forenoon session of the Court was
occupied with Quarter Sessions business, and
at twelve o'clock the customary recess was ta
ken.
AMBNOON 8118810 Y.
At two 'o'clock the Court re-assembled, and
the prisoner haring been brought in, the trial
proceeded.
TUN PIIIIIONIE IN READING,
Charles J. Faber, sworn—Last winter,l was
living in Reading, Beaks county, and kept a
public house there• ' recognize the prisoner;
taw him on the 22d of January last at my
house ; he arrived there and tried to stay all'
night ; he entered his name on my book; ho
wrote it himself. (Register of tavern prods.
ced.) The prisoner wrote the name “Thomas
Bragg," when he made application to stay over
night the bar keeper handed him the Register
and be wrote the name above given ; he put
down no residence, and my bar keeper men.
tinned the fact to him ; he took no notice, and
I asked him where he-was from; he said Mit,
°mote, and my bar keeper put it down ; as•
kid bin, Wives front St and Ins said yea
can't recollect exactly the time he came to my
house, but think it was in the afternoon ; he
took his supper and left the house ; he did not
come in that night and I saw him the next
morning shout nine o'clock; lie apologised
for not coming in, stating that he got into good
company, and, being late, he did not like to
disturb the house; he said he'd like to have I
breakfast, and, being announced, I walked 1
back with him to the dining room, and lett him I
with the little girl that assists there; when he '
came out he asked me for his bill, and, I think !
paid it with a dollar gold piece ; he said Read.
mg was a very pleasant place, and asked me !
which was the beet Bank in it; replied that'
we had only two, and I thought them both good
he said he had some money and wanted to
make a deposit, and that he was so pleased I
with the place he thought he would bay a house
in it; he said he thought he would take boar- I
ding for about a month, and inquired whether'
I would board him ; told him I could not, ne I
had not a single chamber empty; thin wan on
the 23d of January, about ten o'clbek in the
morning; the next day he came in again, and
requeeed to have dinners, my regular dinner
was over; when through with his dinner he
came out and paid for it, and asked *me whet!,
er I would take charge of his bank book.—
(Bank book produced.) The book he asked
me to take charge of was one like this ; I said
to him that he could take charge of his own
book; he said he was among strangers, and
that it would be u great Myer to him if I tools
it; I then consented, and took the book up
stairs and locked it in my desk; I saw he had
a credit in it for $550 in the Farmer's Bunk of
Beading •, he left, and I did not see him again
till the 26th; he came in about nine o'clock
and requested to have his bank book ; went
and "fetched" it and handed it to him ; he then
left, and I did not see hint until I saw him in
peieie ; recognised him when I saw him, but
Ucliiin did not recognise me; be mild he didn't
know me; told him k was from Reading, and
asked him if he did not brow me; he said not;
he bad very heavy whiskers all around his
chin.
Cross•examined—Did not notice wh,
tether bed; he made no improper or lascivious adYan•
the name Tomas Bragg was on the book when
irces to me in Pottsville; can't speak for the oth•
I got it ; thought the entry was in Mr. Her. , r girl ; remember reading a paper to hits; he
rold's handwriting, think so now, but am not
.re ; the handwriting on the book M like the told me to go on ;don't recollect the subject or
the article ; never read but one newspaper to
prisoner's.
hint ; recollect now that that. wr - ''
the first money I saw .him have woo 011 gold
but one note; can't say whether that was a
fifty or one hundred dollar note; can't describe
the quantity it was in a large purse; he hod
a great deal of gold in $2O and $lO pieces ;
when leaving he took nothing but some pock
et books which he hod before; one pocket
book he took away was of. a yellowish color;
it was very large and new ; it had straps or, it;
this pocket book was a new one; a newspaper
was read to him on Saturday night; don't re
collect what it was about.
Cross-examined--Don't know that people
who keep houses of ill-fame take assumed
names ; I never took a false name; can't teal
the figures on a note; am no scholar at all ,
can tell a $5 bill and that's all ; don't know a
$5O from a $lOO bill; the Sheriff got the watch
don't feel in any way disappointed that the
prisoner did not carry on that house; I think
he treated me badly.
The witness is a very pretty interesting look
ing girl;and was exceedingly well dressed.--
She gave her evidence without much hesitation
during the time she was on the stand. Iler
cotnpani ,n, who was next examined, is also a
tine loult:nA woman.
MISS M'KENZIE A WITNESS.
Charlotte E. McKenzie, sworn.—Recollect
living in Reading in January; was staying at
the house at Susan Nemo ; saw the prisoner
there on either the 21st or 22d; lie came there
Thursday noon •, beard Miss Nemo call hint
Bragg ; saw hith there at different times, back
wards and forwards; went to Pottsville with
him; asked hint to go there with myself and
Miss Nagle, and he consented; suppose we in
tended to keep . private house. (1 he witness
hero corroborated the testimony of the last wit.
ness in relation to the purchase of furniture,
the occupation of the house, Sr.) He said.
when leaving, that he was going to Philadel•
phia, and would return in a day or two; saw
hint next here, recently; he had given Miss
Nagle tnoney, and the morning he left he
took it all with him—at least I think he did ;
we bad everything in the house we wanted to
eat; don't know anything ahout his fruity to
ens the first time
I ever heard of it, (the Norcross murder;) can't
say that I read the article to him) I cannot re.
collect; he said, when going away, to tell any
one that might call that the other gentile).
(Boyer) was Sir. Bragg; he said his cousin and
wiles coimin had seen him gu into the house,
and that they knew him ;he told me if they
called to any that Boyer was Mr. Bragg
TILE PRISONER Io BLOOMSBURG JAIL.
Samuel Mason,sworn—Keep a hotel in Potts
ville; maw the prisoner on the 26th January
lest, at my house; heard hint called Thomas
Bragg, he had whiskers then ;ho came there
with the two ladies last examined and a young
man named Casey Boner; he asked me if he
could have accommodations for them; asked
him if the girls were their wives ; he said not
—that one of them was his brother's wife, and
the other the young man's sister; after dinner
he asked me if there were any houses to rent ;
told him there was; he said he wanted a good
house; that his brother would be up in a fete
days, and that they intended starting business
(house.carpentering) together; he left there
the next morning, between nine and ten o'clock
and took the girls with him ; next saw him in
Bloontaburg jail, in Columbia county; this was
two days after he wns taken don't recollect the
day of : the month ; recognized him at once; he
di. recognize tee ; : asked hint three or four
times 11 — he did not ',member stopping at thy
house with date ladies; he said he did; 1 re.
marked be.; was in a bad fix, and he maid he
was, bitt diet he was au innocent ;man ; he saidl
as aeon as his friend, learned where he was, it
would be all right; asked hint why he left Potts.
vine so suddenly • he said he didn't feel dist'',
sed to answer ; I said I didn't coma there to
ask him anything to convict hint, but merely to
see if he was the man who was at my house;
remarked that if he had the money he had
spent for furniture now, it uould be of some
use to bite ; he said it would ; he,aaid he left
Pottsville ott foot, .d that he had not been in
a railroad car since he went to Pottsville ; there
are railroads running from Pottsville; ached
him if Ile had heen•with Norcross; said he had
traveled with him.
To Mr. Haus—Held out no inducements to
him ; said to hint that I did not want him to
answer me to convict him; am not an officer;
I did not think when I said that to him, that I
would he a witness in the ease.
To Mr. Stokes—Cannot recollect whether I
told hint 1 did not appear to convict before or
after his 'conversation with me about Norcross;
held out no inducements to hint further than
what I have out, d.
Mr. Ilofius held that any conversation which
took place between the parties after the witness
said that he did .t go there to seek his movie•
tine. ought to he ruled out, .oecatise it was gir.
en in confidence, and under the belief that any
thing he told him would be Inept secret.
The Court overruled the objection, and coon.
eel for the defence signified their intention to
take out a bill of exceptions. The witness
then continued :
He said dint he traveled with Norcross, but
that ho left hint with a man named Robinson ,•
asked him why he kept the cheeks; he enquired
who told me that he had checks ; I replied, the
person who saw them ; he colored up in the
face, and I caulked away; he called inn bnek
and asked me if I knew what had become of
the women ; 1 told him they had gone to Phila.
delphi.
This wittiest was under examination when
the Lour for closing our report arrived.
TUE LETTER OF M'EIM TO ROSNER.
The following curious letter from the pris
oner was (dared in evidence this afternoon
1857, April the 6 Hollidaysburg, Blair co P A
Dere Sir I rite to you with A taking hart to
let you know my fix. At Present Dere Sir I
Am hobbled bbth Loges And sometimes hand
cult And Dere Sir it is you that can clere tne
from this crape (scrape) By coining So see me
.Be For Coot. i want you to come Be For curt
And Swair wher you sate me git of the cars the
Morning of the 16th of January Last Between
the ours of 2 o'clock And 3 o'clock in the mot.
nirg By My Self und Bid you Bud nits and
wham I got out of the cam was about 15 or 20
Miles west of Altoona. it was at Altoona the
say miter this Man wos kild And if I can Peeve
By you and youen (Ewing) And gory worrlow
(George Worrilow) thnt you all Saw lie got
out of the ears 15 or 20 miles west of Altoona
that will clore Me of the Gals (Gallows) And I
will go hoMe with you Al that I love so wet
And I wi Make it Kite with you Al for A eum•
el.'s work. I can't talk to Plain on that Sub.
Sct to you in the Letter But you will Under
tand it And when I ce you 1 wil tel you about
It. your Al Supened By me to teed Coot the
4 Munday in April April. Dere Brothers Stick
me for you can elere me with Ave words Dore
Brothers you cene (seen) me have A good Bit
of Mutiny with me And it was gold 20 Dollar
Poses and ten Dollar Poses And you saw Me
cluing to (two) fifty Dollar Bile for A man at
Pitahurg Just Belbre And the to (two) Nets
woe Both Boston Nuts And was very Rich
Luekieg Plates i asked you Al it you thot it
was gude mutiny And said 'we thout it was And i
then you give the Man the change for the notes
in gold and that will dere me. And I wont':
you to go to James and Shoe him this Letter
And he wil tel Jorge About it Dere Sir Dont
Lete Another Mau on this Barth Know won
word that is in this Bet Yourself. You Can cum
And no body know About it. Dere Sir i know Wolff was with me, there was nothing portico.
that it is you that I can trust to. Doet.ltite lair said until we left tin"o house; did not toll him
to me for the Surf (Sheriff) line to rect. .he what I arrested him for at the house.
Letters Before i git .them But you furst tell There was nothing said until he asked me
Sarah An to Rite to me And tel me that you what he was arreeted•for, said he was arrested
got the Letter and Se. James mid wether fur the murder of Dr. Norcross; he replied "is
you would Com. Dere mikle (I) Rote to you he dead ?" I said "sir;" and he inquired again,
Ave (a few) lines Before And slipped them to "was he dead?" He said he was. 11PKitn, the
my 13roteratilaiv to give to you. But i was a- fellow we were after, and who was advertised,
raid that you did not gin them So i had a he said he traveled with Norcross from Dun.
chance to Rite a Letter to you And git it Slip Leith, and knew him very well, said he boarded
ed out of the jail without the Shurf knowen with him .d called him "poor Sammy;" said
About it By a girl come to see her Brother and he had a great deal of trouble with him, that
at Altoona it will he mailed David S. McKim.. lie was sick and partly deranged; he said he
Ile Shure and Cu,,, en (one) or to Days Be. tried to commit suicide and that ho had to
fore eon And Say Net ebout it to Bay Body watch him all the time, before this he said he
But them menehent ao the Letter. You Know was innocent, and we asked him where he left
that the train of cars Leaned l'rean Pittsburg. , Norcross, he said at the next station above Al.
the Nate of the 15th of January Last Between ton., then he said lie was at Altoona at the
the owrs of 10 1 t oclock Al Nite when we Al time Norcross or his corpse was there, he said
gait on the cars And you And James told Me he knew who killed Norcross, asked him how
that you wor going to Philadelphia Amid Int he knew it, and who it was ; he said it wan a
in the (seat) with you .d wee tocking togeth. perm' by name of Roberts, and that he had
en About things in the West when the cars left him in his care when he got off at the sta.
stopped 15 or 20 miles wont of Altoona whitir lion, said he didn't see Roberto afterwards .d
I got of the cars by my Self And Bid you al Dud that he would like to have him arrested ; asked
Nate and it wan between 2 and 3 ()clock in the! hint howlie got away from Altoona, but he did
morning of the Ili of January Last And it will not answer the question, asked him why he did
Clme me. not go to Norcross in Altoona as he was his
Iteshure and corn And then I wil eel out and companion and friend; lie said lie was afraid to
Sarah and Clunsan nod you And Me eel go to go up for fear they would lynch him. He said
Dunleith and to Sant NIA. we can get 31 And he stopped at the station above Altoona to see
4 Dollars A tiny their. I got it their And Wen i a friend. After he left Altoona, he said lie was
going Back Agin As Ellll3 (9000 as cull git trying to get to Altoona to give himself up; we
things !let At home But ilia aqused inn former. held out do inducement to him to make these
der And Put me au Pres. But Berens: nay god statements, or. the contrary we told him not to
i Ann A Mi.. man. No more At Presenttalk
I too much, that we did not want to be wit-
But I Remain your Afeetionet (rend until Death nests., asked him hoer much money Norcross
Parts us David S. McKim. had, lie said he didn't know exactly, but that it
And Dere. Boys I know you wont Leto me I wits a considerable amount; the first night we
Be hung for you Al know i would go my Lentil lodged him in Bloomsburg jail, he remained
fcr Ether of you to get you out of trouble. so there probably a week and theta we took him
coo there wort be Eny Body here that knows to Harrisburg, where we gave him into custody
Ether of yOu from A liepe of Brush, so coin to of the sheriff.
me in the time of treble and you wil Al Du Croso•Examined—He snid he did not know
wel By manning. DAVID S. MeKIM. the station he got out at; did not demand the
FIFTH DAY. reward offered for his apprehension at Harris.
The Court met at the usual hour, and the pri-
burg, we put it into lawyer's hands for collet
soner was brought in. He looked haggard as s
time the first hill we saw offered $2,500 forth,'
,
if all hope had fled. He watt called on yea., prisoners apprehension; we claim whatever is
clay by an old acquaintaliee who, after a coin- offered. Wolff and I had a dispute about
d 'f I could
mot place conversation , e am a hewas entitled to the reward; the. Governor told
do anything for him. M'Kim shook his head, ma the reward was offered for his conviction.
m ,
and said "NO you mei du nothing fur me now James A. NI arfel, recalled—lt was on Frclay
' bait have my body taken to my Iciends in Ch.: the prisoner rode in nay sled.
ter enmity, and buried there." We have eel. THE LE TEII—THEA6HERT.
door seen a case tried with greater ability. The John Brubaker, sworn—Know•the prisoner,
testimony was most admirably arranged. knew him in the prison, (M'Kini'e letter shown
1,. 'Weineledorf, sworn—Have seen the prix. him.) Saw this letter before got it from 5PKim;
over at the bar before; first saw him on Tues. I he asked me VI thought I could send a letter
day, 27th, in Pottevillei•said hie name woe Thm . or two out for him; told him I thought I could,
inns Bragg; be called at my place of business but I did not like to do so, as it was likely they
with another in., for the purpose of renting a would be detected if put in here; he then told
louse; said he came frt. Philadelphia, Was a me he thought it would be the best for me to
house carpenter, or boss builder, and lain object give it to my sister when she came to see me,
ill coining to Pottsville was to go into that bust- and have it mailed at Altoona; told him I'd see
ness, he asked to nee my house, and I showed I and if that would do to have the letters ready,
it to him; he appeared much pleased, and ask- lie said he would and in a few days when I wns
led the rent for it; told him $l5O a year; said be let down to see my slater, he whispered to me
had no one with him but his wife, and her sin- to come across to his room; lie told me he had
ter, or his own, I won't be positive which; he the letters ready and slipped them set under
said his wife was at a hotel, and be desired, if the door; looked at them, ot:e was directed to
possible, to get a house at once, otherwise he "Mrs. Sandi McKim, Marcus Hook, Delaware
would bu compelled to go hack to Philadelphia county," and the olber to "Michael Bonner,
as he did not like to leave his ladies al a betel; ! Marcus Hook, De are county, care of Mfrs.
said until lately had been employed on "Jaynes' ' Sarah M'Kim," came to the conclusion I wo'd
Building" Philadelphia, and wanted to locate in not give the letters to my sister, and kept them
Pottsville at once, so as to get into business in until the next day. broke the seal open and read
the spring, early; agreed to let him have the it to Mr. Pennock, and got him to direct it to
house from the Ist of February, one year ; had Michael Bonner; the letter in court is the same;
the amides of agreement drawii.up mid he paid gave it to Mrs Bolton, to post, the other letter
me $lOO on the Formers' Bank of Rending; I I read and burned.
gave him the keys, and lie left my office; had " Cross•Examined—The letter was in
further conversssion - sit:, him; he never pair. velope and sealed with wax when he gave it
relelered the house to me. to tile; was a prisoner in the jail for stealing a
W Dellielth it.rtlit the 'ecalled—Testified as to 1
Branca One, sworn—ln January last WaS • .
living in Pottsville nod mignged in cabinet friar se of • Eastern .6xeliatige 111
king; the prisoner and two women earne to toy
place of business on 27th; the two women ex•
Iltnined yesterday are the same; he said one was
his wile and the other his wile's sister; there
was a man he said, in the crowd, who was his
brotherin-law; he bought furniture of me to the
amount of $l3B, and gave me $l4O in notes on
the Farmers Bank of Reading; gave hint $2
back, in gold, asked where he could get ear•
pets, I told hint; said he didn't intend remain
ing tti Pottsville long, was going away and he
would be absent two or three weeks; said he
had a house between Poplar and Tenth streets
Philadelphia, and that his ; worn.. of • wife, I
wont say which had died; said he had sold the
house and got part cash and part bonds in pay
merry would like to buy a helm ita Pottsville ;
went with him to see a house belonging to Cox
& Bro's; asked me what it could he bought for,
told him it sold last yenr for $800; he told me
to see about it; this was on paturday, and I did
not see hint after until I saw him here. Retold
me if I knew any good fellows to send them to
the house; he said if he was not there the ether
mat would be.
Cross•Exnmined—Aut sure this prisoner is
the man.
THE PRIS,MER lb A NEW CHARACTER,
Joseph Lockhart, sworn—ln February last
was living at - Long Pond," Sullivan count{ ;
there are no railroads aboutlong Pend; had to
go 40 wiles before I got to a railroad ; he, the
prisoner, came to my haute on 17th of Fehrna•
ry, and stayed three weeks and one day; hod no
whiskers on then, nod called himself Samuel
Whittle, and said he was a plasterer by trade ;
said hie home was in Columbia, on the Sump°.
henna, said he had two sisters living there, and
that he had been making hit home with one of
them; he was arrested at my house by Koons
and Wolf. and taker. away,
Cross.lixamfiMil:-31 7 Rini made nn effort to
keep himself concealed while therm he woo go.
nerally in the bar room and absi.ted in icy ab
gene° in taking cure of the horses, itc., in the
stable.
AeKIM WANTS ANOTHER WIFE—THAT POCKET
Julia Lockhart, aworn—Live in Sullivan co.,
and am u daughter of the last witness ; have
seen the prisoner at Long P'ond tavern, knew
hint as Samuel Whittle, said he was a carpet,
tor and mason, and was from Columbia; wanted
me to run away with hint alter being there a
week; I thanked him and said I would not go
away for a thousand dollars and leave friends ;
he said he would give me hafts thousand now;
he took two pocket hooks from his pocket and
showed me the money, and recollect the ap•
pearance of one of the pocket books. (Wits
ness describes it and proves it to be exactly sir
milar to that seen with Norcross before leaving
Dunleith, by Dr. Rambold). I said I thanked
him for his counterfeit money, be said it was
good, and that lie was a single man, and never
bad the luck to have a wife.
Cross•Examined-13e bud another pocket.
book with steel clasps; didn't count the money;
it was paper money, the pocket book was thick
and had two plates of lee* lying over the
bills, and it was liued inside with red ailk; sup.
pose there might be near a hundred bills in it ;
told my mother about the pocket book the day
be showed it to toe; didn't tell her anything a•
bout his offering to marry mo ; Dr. Reinhold
did notdeseribe to me the Nurcross pocket book.
Mr. Lockhart, recalled—We kept the Post
Office in the house; the prisoner about the
dle of February, caked me for papers ; heard
him ask the mail carrier to bring himsome pa.
pers three or four weeks old.
F. A. IL Koons, sworn—Saw the prisoner
on the I I th of March, at Long Pond Hotel and
arrested him there, lie surrendered without re
sistance, and I asked the landlord for a rope ;
the prisoner said he would go without one: I ho't
I'd rather have him tied, and did tie him, took
him into a one,horso carriage and atarted : Mr.
THE MAN 011011 3CKIM EXPECTED TO "Cl.' 11E'
Michael Bonner, sworn—Knew the prisoner
in Chester fur two or three years, hare not seen
hint in Chester for two years; 50w hint abOut
the Ist of July Inst o ar Wilmington, and once
near Marcus Hook, did not see him since until
I met hint in jail.
Sheriff Port testified as to Milm'shandwrit•
ink 'Thought the letter his. -
The lettei: was offered as evidence, and pro.
duccd a deep sensation on the jury. The prin.
oner never moved a muscle while this damning
evidence of his guilt - wan being read, but
sat quietly in his chair, his chin resting on his
breast, and his eyes running rapidly from one
point of the court room to another, as if tons•
certain the effect of the letter on the audience.
Examination of Bonner resumed—Was ar•
rested by Mr. Williams, a letter was found on
me, never was with him in Pittsburg or on the
Pennsylvania Railroad, at all; did not see hint
get oil the ears on the morning of the 10th of
January or at any other time, never knew him
to get out of the cars fifteen or twenty miles
west of Altoona, never saw• Min have gold in
Pittsburg, nor a $2O gold piece [The witness
denied positively all knowledge of the transac•
Bons to which EPKim wished him to testify in
the letter.]
Charles Williams, sworn—Got the letter pro.
duccd from the last witness, knew the prisoner
in Delaware county, he was a carpenter, and
worked by the day; be had a small house and
lot about two miles from Chester; believe he
owns it yet, never knew him to have any other
means; never knew him to have any cousidera•
hie amount or money, nor to lino in Philadel•
!thin or own property there; have known him
ten years.
The Court then adjourned for dinner.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
J. Stevenson, sworn—Am acquainted with
M'Kim, and reside in Delaware county; lcnown
him twenty years, haven't seen him for two
years. ' myself and Mr. Williams took the letter
from Bossier; found it in his bosons; took hint
to Philadelphia and telegraphed to Holliday..
burg whether they wanted him here or not.
George Worrifew, sworn—Reside in Dela.
ware county; have !mown the prisoner 16 or 18
years. (This witness is the party referred to in
M'Kisti's letter, and one of those ho begged to
come to Hollidaysburg, and "elere him of the
gallis." Ile denied in tots all knowledge of
the transactions there referred to.)
James Ewing, sworn—Know the prisoner
for sixteen or eighteen years; last saw him its
Old Chester lust October ; don't known what
his pecuniary circumstances were then.
This is another of the individuals referred la
in M'Kitn's letter. The same questions were
put to him as to the last witness, and the same
answers received.
Mr. Stokes stated that ho would now offer
the razor in evidence, and as there was no ob.
joction made, the razor was Lauded to the jury.
The club, carpet bag, fiddle case, trunk, shawl
&c., of the deceased, were also offered in evi•
deuce, and went trithe jury. The trunk of the
prisoner was also put in evidence,and the name
of M'Kim on the bottom, and the labels of two
express offices wore read to the jury.
Coroner Frank—Testified that the place of
the murder is about a mile and a half above
Altoona; the Pa. R. It., extends west of Alter,.
no through Blair county, ten aides.
Thomas McGregor, sworn—Was brakesruan
on the Exeress train in January last; left Pitts.
burg the night of the 19th about half past 9
o'clock; think we arrived at Altoona about 3
o'clock on the morning of the lath; was hind
brakesnian on the train that night; the hind door
of the train was locked during the time; the
train did not stop from the time it left Galitzia
until it reached Altoona ; don't recollect how
fast the train was running when within a mile
and a half or three miles ‘,est, of Altoona; I
think we were running at about the rate of 14
miles an hour; nobody could have got out of
'the hinder car unless he had a key to open the
door; there woe no one there with a key but
myself.
District Attorney Hammond hero announced
that the testimony for the Commonwealth was
closed, and the defence deeming it unnecessa•
ry to make a formal opening, called the follow
ing witnesses
THE CASE FOR THE PRISONER.
J. Trees, recalled—On the morning of the
16th, there were two other passengers got off ;
they got off on the platform side, did not see
them afterwards.
Cross-Examined—Did not see them get off,
only know they got off from hearsay. •
Evan Powell, sworn—Live in Altoona, nev
er heard Mr. Fleck speak of a man taking his
breakfast at his tavern on the morning of the
murder, I board with him.
Chitrlotte McKenzie, recalled—l noticed that
the finger next to the little finger was stiff, the
little finger was crooked, he could not bendthe
second finger at all ; M'Kim when going to.
Pottsville oever said anything about keeping a
house of ill fame: there were no visitors in the
'house but Mark Behn, and he came to see the
prisoner.
Cross-Examined—Didn't understand we were
to keep a house of ill-fame; am not related to
the prisoner, neither is Mitt Nagle; he furnish
ed the house for us,l didn't know what I was
going to do then, but I suppose it is no on
common
... thing to have ladies in a house.
Kate Nagle, recalled—The finger of the pri
soner next the little finger, was stiff; he said he
would marry me, and work at his trade, and
support me; heard nothing of keeping a house
of fame; he said nothing of it to me; did not
know that he had another wife.
Cross-Examined—Never knew the prisoner
until I saw him is Reading; have a Laby ten
months old.
Mr. Stokes—That's enough, you may go.
M'KIM "SHOWS HIS HAND,
At this stage of the proceedings Mr. Hofius
requested the jury to examine the prisoner's
hand, and M'Kitn without the least emotion,
approached the jury box and held it up to their
gaze. The fingers are precisely as represent.
ed by the lent witnesses, bat then ho might ea•
lily take breakfast with a flies without the de
formity attracting notice. Some - of the jurors
touched his band and examined it, while others
shrunk from contact with it, as though they
knew of its being steeped in the blood or a fel
low being. The scene, altogether, was a pain
ful one, yet it made no impression on M'Kim,
and he sat down after it was over, as calm and
composed as if nothing had taken place to die
turb his equanimity.
Coroner Funk, recalled—Fleck was one of
the coroner's jury when the inquest woo held
on Norcross. ' he said nothing about the prison
er having taken breakfast at his house then, he
told me about it afterwards.
Cress-Examined—Ho told see of it about
four weeks ago; I think after the prisoner was
brought to Altoona.
Squire Doty, recalled—There are houses be•
tweet' the track of the branch road and the
main line; it might be as convenient to walk a
long the track to reads these houses as in any
other way; it would be convenient to walk up
the track to the crossing to get to the White
Hall.
TIIE CASE CLOSED.
The testimony for the defence rested here,
and at forty-five minutes past four o'clock, the
evidence in the case wee declared closed, and
the witnesses were discharged from further nt•
tendance. The Court shortly afterwards, at
the request of District Attorney Itninniond,
cessitry by the discharge of the witnesses, au.
joiuned.
WEDNESDAY, May G.
The Court met this morning at 8 o'clock, and
Hammond for Commonwealth, summed up.
His speech, which certainly was an able effort,
occupied the entire forenoon. Ile went over
the whole history of the case, and dissected the
evidence in a masterly manner. Before Hats•
mond commenced, he received information that
a younger brother was drowned last night in
the river below Williamsburg. This melaucho•
ly event did not doter Hammond, however,
from discharging hi.; duty to the Commonwealth.
although he.evidently was ill at ease during thti
delivery of his speech.
During the delivery of Hammond's speech
one of the prisoner's old acquaintances appear
ed on the outside of the railing, in a high state
of excitement, gesticulating to attract the at
tention of the prisoner. Ito did not recognize
him—whether intentionally or not, I cannot
say. His name is Loudon, and says he is
front Philadelphia
Stokes for Commonwealth closedat •I o'clock
having spoken just four hours, during which
time the Court House was crowded by both la
diesandgeutlemen. _
The diidge commenced charging the jury
immediately after Stokes concluded.
At 20 minutes of 7 o'clock,'the bell rang,
and crowds from every portion of the town
made their way to the Court House in the pea.
test possible Inge. It was soon filled to its ut.
most capacity—probably a thousand persons
congregated in its walls. The jury immediate.
ly after their names were culled, rendered a
joint verdict of Gutt.TY.
llulius fur defence then asked that thajury
might be palled, when each and every one an•
sw-red, "GUILTY OF MURDER IN" THE
FIRST bEGREE."
Hofius gave-notice of a motion for an arrest
of judgment.
TIW BEXiENCE.
Friday Morning, May Bth.
Immediately after the opening of the Court,
Hofius moved an arreit of judgment, on the
plea that the jury had been spoken to by per.
sons—that .is, that they had heard three ner•
nos delivered on Sunday. The motion was
sum mat ily disposed of..
The prisoner was then asked to stand up,
and the usual question was propounded, whe.
ther lie bad anything to my why sentence of
death Shoal not be passed upon him,
The prisoner replied in a clear and audible
speech, occupying come ten minutes, iu which
he asserted his innocence most vehemently.
Ho declared that he had never seen Atticks,
and that he had never owned the razor produ
ced in Court—that the money he had was his
own, and that he bud never taken breakflist at
Fleck's. He declared that he had never killed
Norcross, and, although he had to suffer for it,
he died an innocent man—that his life had
been sworn away. He reiterated his former
statement that he had lett Norcross in the care
of a man named Robinson on the morning of
the murder, when he got off the ears at a sta
tion about 15 miles west of Altoona.
Judge Taylor, alter the delivery of some very
feeling remarks, then passed upon the prisoner
the followifig sentence :
"That you, DAVID STRINGER ArKIM,
be taken from hence to the place where you
came jives, in the jail, and from thence to
the place of j
execution in the ail yard, and
there be hanged by the neck until you are
dead, and may God have mercy upon your
soul."
The prisoner was then removed by the slier.
iff to his cell in the jail. Ile manifested the
most unflinching composure during the whole
proceedings. We understand that he has intl.
mated that he will save the sheriff the trouble of
hanging him, but we hope due precaution will
be taken to prevent his eluding his richly mei i•
fed punishment.
AuntinOn A'nrnat.
\ lit/1
Ntlii,i, --: '=, • • ,' " ,l ' ' ' --:: - 1%71
!:;- --- - - - %.. ---- -,- - -- : -
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(Irj; Vriktrt . V.Vt - % ,
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*...........
WILLIAM RR EWNTEIR, EDITORS
BAIL G. WHITTAKER.
Wednesday Morning, May 13, 1857,
"Once more our glorious harancr out
Unto the breeze we throw ;
Beneath its folds with song and shunt
We'll charge upon the foe."
FOR UOVERNOR,
DAVID WILMOT,
FOR CANAL COMMISSIONER,
WILLIAM MIL LWARD,
FOR SUPREME JUDGES,
JAMES VEECH,
OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
JOSEPH J. LEWIS,
OF ninr. COUNTY.
egr The Dallas Clarendon treaty hat
been rejected by the British government.
Wile bill for the sale of the public
works has passed its second reading in the
Senate.
Efer We give up our colleens this week
to the evidence in the M'fCim trial. The
trial has resulted in the conviction of '.
Kim and he has been sentenced to he hung.
Ser The woods near the Warm Springs
have been on fire for a day or two past.—
It is said that the hoes; at that place was
once on fire.
gar fhe GloWninnattributes the do.
feat of Mr. M'Divitt, to fhe fact of his be
ing a Christian. We predicted that it
would be hailed as a locofoco. victory, and
were not disappointed ; but we were not
prepared for so open an amyl! of the tri
umph of Jesuitism over Christianity, the
Public Schools and the Bible.
"To the credit of the county it can be said
that the school directors, instead era few teach
ers, made the selection for the county superb,
tendent."--4 Globe.
The School Directors indeed ! Say 10.
cofocoism, Jesuitism, bribery and corrup•
tton. A few teachers, if honest men. no
doubt would lit re mad, it ht two selection.
Carr As It has been moote d about that
Mr. Billy Dunn has been engaged to write
for the l'enn'a Nlagazine, we have been re
quested to correct the error by i stating that
Blly's whole time and talent is devoted to
the Huntingdon Globe. His valuable ser
vices having been secured by the latter pa.
per some time ago, he will not therefore be
a writer for the former.
EV^ The Cordell inutiler trial in New York
City has ended in the acquittal of Mrs. Cuu•
ningham. The jury was only out an hour.—
Upon the delivery of the verdict the court room
rang with applause, and the prisoner and het
daughters fainted. I?.ekel was discharged on
giving $5OOO bail in his own recognizance:
Pa - The District Attorney Case has been
compromised by the Legislature, both branch.
es of which have passed a bill authorizing the
election of two District Attorneys for the city
of Philadelphia hereafter—one to be appoin
ted by the Court until the fall of 1859. This
plan is said to have been agreed upon by the
contestants as the best means of ending
the dispute, though we observe that it has era•
ated some surprise in the city, as us unexpect
ed termination of the case. The bill was pass.
ed mainly by Locoloco votes, and is a conces•
alert on their part of the wellness of the posi
tion of Cassidy, who is now willing to give up
one-half fur the sake of keeping the other.--
Should the bill become a law, Mr. Mann will
probably receive the appointment, nod the city
papers are already calling upon him to thor•
ougly investigate the frauds which led to the
success of Cassidy, and to bring their authors
to merited punishment.
•
ltd'" Lola Montez's benefit was to take place
at Louisville, April 10th, but on the opening ot•
the theatre, Lola wanted carpet, instead of
green baize, to be spread on the floor of the
stage. This the stage manager refused, and
appealed to the auditors. They both talked to•
gethor, and an indescribable scene of confusion
and excitement ensued. The manager subse
quently 'made a speech to thefludience, and
Lola refused to play. The money was returned
to the ticket holders, and there was no perl'ur•
mance.
Dr. Hardman.
The following front the Trumbull county
Democrat will give the publie'an idea of the
practice and success of this Physican
LuNa DIS.ASE.—The success of the new
system of inhiaation in the treatment of con
sumption, is without parallel in the history of
Medicine. Ev UV other system heretofore in
troduced has seemed to do little arreeting
the terrible fatality from this disease. The
fregnent accounts of the great success attending
the practice at Dr. Hardman aro highly grati
fying, and prove him an able demonstrator of the
new system. Dr. IL is n highly educated
Physician: was for a long time Physic inn to
the Cincinnati Marine Hospital, and le highly
recommended by the medical profession of that
city. Hu treats Diseases of the Lunge upor
the same principles so successfully adopted
Drs. Hunter and Fitch of New York ; by the
inhalation of medicated vapors into the Lungs,
thus bringing medicines into direct contuc:
with the seat of disease. If there is any cure
for consumption, it seems most reasonable that
this eourse would succeed, as it seems to strike
at the very root o f the evil. Dr. H. also treats
all chronic diseases incident to the Human E •