Maxwell Vesey
High Crimes in This Region
"The records of over a century, from 1784 to 1900, contain only a limited number of major crimes committed in the county of Charlotte."
"....In August 1866 John Ryan was indicted for causing the death of a man named McGary at Bradbury's mill, St. George, by striking him over the head with an axe handle. Evidence showed that the deed was committed in a moment of frenzy when the two men were quarrelling, and was entirely without premeditation. The judge's charge was manslaughter, which the jury immediately brought in as a verdict. Ryan was sentenced to twelve years in the penetentiary.....he died there."
"....Eleven years went by before another crime by violence is recorded. In August 1877* a certain Sarah Maria Olive(r) was indicted for the murder of one Mooney, a blacksmith at St. George. In some sort of a difference of opinion the lady struck him over the head with a fence picket, from the effects of which he is said to have died. We do not know whether the accused was possessed of an appearance that might be said to have influenced the verdict, but at any rate the jury proved sympathetic, and Sarah Maria went free."
* The date on this crime is in error, the crime happening,in April and Sarah being discharged in August, 1867.
Written by permission of the Saint Croix Courier