TIME OF TRIAL – MRS. McWHA’S WILL

Interest, says the New Cumberland Independent, is abating in the McWha murder. The public are patiently awaiting the result of the trial, which will likely be at the June term of circuit court which convenes Monday, June 27. John M. Cook, of Steubenville, has been added to Baker’s counsel, and another lawyer, not yet decided upon, will also assist. Who will assist the Prosecuting Attorney has not yet been decided upon. Mr. Huff will probably decide that.

Baker says he will be ready for trial in June. That if his counsel cannot get ready by that time, he would not want them to take the case. He said last evening that he wanted to celebrate the 4th of July a free man. When reminded that the State might ask for a continuance, he thought it would be unfair, that the prosecution was always supposed to be ready. He says he now has another witness, a good responsible person, who will swear that he saw Mrs. Baker alive after he (Baker) left the house for the train. He declined to give the name of this witness. He will have another consultation with his attorneys to-morrow.

MRS. McWHA’S WILL

Following is a copy of the will of the late Mrs. McWha. After directing that her just debts and funeral expenses be paid, the will reads as follows:

I give, bequeath and devise to my daughter, Eliza J. Baker and her heirs, all my real estate lying and being in the county of Hancock, and State of West Virginia, together with all my household and kitchen furniture of every description. I give and bequeath to my grandson, Robert McWha Lee, the sum of one thousand dollars, the same to be paid in bonds that I may own at my decease, and their face value, but if any of said bonds shall be of value below par, the same are to be made at par value by paying to said Robt. McWha Lee, the difference in money. But in the event that I should die not seized of any bonds, said legacy of one thousand dollars, shall be paid in money out of any notes and claims that may be due me or my estate.

I also give and bequeath to my daughter, Eliza J. Baker, the rest and residue of any bonds, money, notes and claims due me that may remain after satisfying the legacy to Robt. McWha Lee, mentioned above, together with all personal property not herein mentioned and of which I may be possessed at my decease.