Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-06-05
tVFNING STAR.
LOCAL. INTELLIGENCE.

THg ISvESrIG ALTON IN REGARD 70 THE Es-
CAPE OF ESsEX.-0ficer Wilson appeared be-
fore Justice Goddard at the court room Of the
City Hall yesterday afternoon to answer to
the charge preferred against him by Justice
Hollingshead Of aiding and abetting the es-
cape of John Essex.
Justice Holm gshead conducted the exami-
nation on the part of the United States, and
Wharton appeared for defence.
Justice Daniel Smith was sworn and testified
that he was sitting in his Office and heard a
hue and cry raised that man had been muir
dered in cold blood. Officer Norwood and
himself rushed out in pursuit of Essex. A
young man who came ont of stable seized
Essex first, and shortly after Duvall got to
Essex, and had hold Of him before Norwood
and witness reached the spot. The arrest was
made in view Of witness witness directed that
the prisoner should be taken to his office.
Justice John S. Hollingshead testified that
the afternoon previous, party was brought to
his Office, and among those having him in
charge he recognized three sworn county off,
cers-Wilson, Parham and Duvall. Some
controversy arose as to whose case 1t was.
Duvall replied that it was his, and it was so
entered upon the docket. Witness did not
know then what the charge was against the
prisoner; where the party injured had gone,
or how much he was hurt. He examined five
or six witnesses, and desiring 20 know more of
the case, sent off a messenger. While he was
gone, Wilson walked up and said, " You
might take bail of the father of Essex" This
was refused by witness. Parham and Wise
came in and reported the man dead. Witness
then sent a messenger for DR.. Young. Wit
ness then remarked to the officers, that they
had better be careful or the prisoner night
get off Witnes then went to get a drink OF
water, and saw Wilson sitting down by Essex,
and Essex with his head bent whispering in
Wilson'S car. Wilson came into the front
office in diErespectful manner and said, "you
cannot try the case; the prisoner has escaped "
Witness rebuked Wilson for the manner in
which he announced so serious a matter, and
Wilson apOlogized.
Mr. Wharton At the time the escape Of the
prisoner was announced, was any effort made
for his pursuit
Witness. None at all. What surprised wit
ness was, that Wilson should come past the
other officers and tell him In the careless man
ner he did that the piisoner had escaped
Officer Parham testified that the prisoner
when arrested refused to 60 to the magistrates
office; witness told him he must go; Wilson
came up and told the prisoner he could 60 to
what magistrate he pleased; the prisoner went
along pretty well until they reached Seventh
street, when a melee occurred; witness then
held prisoner by one arm, and Captain Davis
held MIN by the other, and they took BIN to
the magistrates office; ES-ex sad 1t was
warm, and tool Il chair; on the return Of wit
ness shortly after ne saw Wilson and the pris-
oner sitting tOoether talking; witness testified
that he told Duyall that the prisoner would
run; DUvall said no, he knew the prisoner
we'll, he wouldn't run; Wilson, who had been
standing at the desk looking through the back
room in the direction of the yard, now walked
into the back room; Wilson presently returned
and, laughing, said to witness g You are not
sharp-the prisoner has been gone this half
hour" Wilson said to Tucker, turning toward
II O. aar1f trrr 4 ho
prisoner. he is gone" Witness did not consider
himself repOnsible for the prisoner, the case
having been entered upon the docket as Du.
walls Dy the magistrate. Duvall had replied
to the warning that the prisoner was about to
escape, Pooh pooh there is no danger. i"
Wilson was leaning on the magistrates desk
when witness cautionei DuVall; he was stand
ing ia a position to look through the back
rooms into the yard. After witness gave the
caution to Duvall, Wilson walked deliberately
into the back room; witness took the position
Wilson had left, and could see the fence
through the door of the back room; Wilson
then came back and said, g You are not half
sharp-the prisoner has been gone this half
hour"
Of5cer Duvall was now called by Justice
lIOIIinsshead on the pant Of the United States.
Justice GODDARD indicated belief that Du-
vail was too deeply implicated in the transac-
ton to be an impartial witness. The point
wa5 argued by HOlIingshead md Wharton,
and prior to the decision CT Justice Goddard
being given upon 1t, the examination vi other
witness. es was preceded with.
W w Tucker was sworn. w as present when
Justice HOllingshead sent for DR.. Young;
heard Justice Hollingshead remark that such
cases were unpleasant, and did not care TO
have them come TO his office; when Parham
cane in and said the man was dead Witness
heard the justice remark that the case now
nd a
the officers, told them they had better look
out for their prisoner, or words to that effect.
DuvaiI went into the back room and, re-
turning, sat down by witness. Duyal did mt
seem to concern himself about the prisoner.
Parham came in and said 10 Duyall, " You
had better look out for your prisoner" Du-
vail said there was no fear; 1t would be the
worse for the pri-oner if he attempted to es-
cape. When the escape Of the prisoner was
announced, Mr.. Hollingshead inquired who
the officer was who had the prisoner in charge.
Wilson answered, 81 am not" Parham
stated hat the case had been claimed out of
mis- hands. Duvall came forward and said he
supposed be was the person in whose custody
the prisoner was. Heard HollingsheaG re-
mark that be would not take bail until the
condition Of the prisoner was known. Will
sons manner was careless and unconcerned.
AmmOn Duyall was now permitted to give
his evidence. His attention was first cal ed
10 the cage by the naIOolnS Oh parties saw
Parham and Norwood running after Essex and
crying - Stop thief :" witness made the arrest.
lie supposed that his functions had ceased
when BE had delivered the prisoner at the
magistrates office. When warned to look
after the prisoner, be went into the room
where the prisoner was. Mr.. Wilson, an off,
Ger, took the prisoner aside, and entered into
conversation with him. Justice Hollingshead
called witness into the front Office and he sat
down Oh 4 bench some minutes. When Will
son came in and said the prisoner was gone,
witness thought the announcement was a joke
upon him and he did not believe the prisoner
had escaped PaIham announced to him, or
IL bis hearing, that the prisoner might escape;
but he (witness) had left the prisoner in con-
versatiOn with Officer Wilson, and supposed
him perfectly safe.
Capt. Davis, Chief Of Police, sworn Saw
= crowd An front Of the General Post Office