Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-04-09
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

lev, J. B. Moore. druggist and Henry H. Hazard
were examined for defence after our report closed
Yesterday.
They testified generally to the effect that the
children, while In the charge of DR.. skinner
seemed healthy and well cared for and appeared
attached to the defendant
Mr.. Bradley proposed to examine the children
with a view to ascertain whether they Were con-
tent to remain with the defendant and IL they had
ever received cruel punishment at bis hands
The counsel for prosecution objected to the in
Production Of the evidence Of children who had
been kept under restraint and in fear of the de-
PENDANT, and would not dare answer any questions
of the Court otherwise than as he (the defendant)
had instructed them.
Considerable discussion arose ON this noint
the Court finally decided that the evidence might
he admitted; but, on calling for the children, II
time previously, were seated In the Court room,
bad disappeared.
OncerS were sent OF In various directions to
look them up ; and in the interim
Mr.. Davidge, for the defence asked to intro
duce the evidence Of Mrs. Faulkner given at the
iast examination, as reported in the "EreHtHg
star, she being n1w absent from the city.
nile OF the Star containing the evidence In
question was submitted to the inspection of the
District Attorney, which evidence, after examina-
ton, he permitted to be read.
Here Deputy Marshal Philips returned and
reported that after thorough search In the neigh
boEhood he was unable to ascertain the where
sbouts Of the missing children.
The defendant seemed very much agitated and
made the following affidavit to exculpate him
self
a. The United States rs. Plat H. Skinns, ~
The defendant in the above entitled proceed
Ing, now pending, makes oath in open court,
that about one O'Clock, p. m, he left the court
room oy the advice OF his counsel to obtain
copy Of the 9 Evening star" a newspaper in
which the testimony Of Mrs. Faulkner. witness
examined before Judge Morsell at the former
hearing, was in common with that of the
other witnesses published that when he left
most Of the children were in the court room, and
the others he believed to be about the premises
That at his return In about twenty minutes TO the
court room. bringing said newspaper, he met one
Of the children near the corner of Fourteenth and
streets, by whom he was informed that the
children not now present had run away from the
court room but whittier, this defendant does
not know, nor has he heard. He positively swears
that the absence Of said children is not at his in
stance, nor with his knowledge consent, nor in
consequence of any collision on his part, and
that he believes that they have been entfced away
by persons hostile TO him with the view of there
by preludicing this defendants case though they
may have gone away from timidity, and owing to
being left with strangers in the court room"
After some time, the Deputy Marshal returned
from a fresh search with the information that the
children had been seen in a hack with Ms Skin
ner and that they drove to the defendant house.
and after remaining there about hour, they went
away in a hack, together with Mrs. g, going
down Fifteenth street towards the avenue.
Messengers were again sent in all directions,
and DR.. skinner also went away ia search of them,
as was supposed at the time.
Suspicion now seemed to be general that the
children had been stolen away by Mrs. Skinner,
at the instance of the defendant, and telegraphic
dispatch was sent to Baltimore to intercept the
fugitives If they had, as seemed probable, taken
that route 49,
Itwas now o'clock, p. m, and the Marshal
was directed TO call Dr. Skinner, who did not
appear, and the clerk was ordered to issue an at
tachment for his arrest i
The Court then adjourned until 10 o'clock this
morning.
About O'Clock last night Deputy Marshal
Phillips arrested Skinner at the corner of o and
Fourteenth streets, as he was making his way to-
wards Bladensburg, whittier his wife had pre-
viouSly fed with the mute children. When ar
rested, he refused to go quietly with the officer to
Jail, and asked to be taken to the house of the
Deputy Marshal, which request was not complied
with, and he was lodged in Jail for the night
ten O'Clock this morning the prisoner was
brought up to answer TO the charge of contempt
Of cOUr, in absenting h mself without leave
DIR. Skinner. being sworn, stated in exculpation
of his course that he first left the court room by
advice of his counsel for the purpose of looking
up the missing chidren that his counsel had told
him he must find them or the court would charge
him with instigating their absence
Mr.. Key here rose and stated to the Court that
he was prepared to show that when the prisoner
left the courtroom he stated to 4 competent wit
ness that the Court might wait for him that he
should not come back again. Further, that the
children were seen to get into 4 hack and drive
of at the instigation Of prisoner; and that he
should show that there was an understanding be.
ween the prisoner and Mrs. Skinner to steal them
away
Mr.. Kew read telegraph dis patch received from
Mr.. Collins, the conductor Of the three O'Clock D.
M train to Baltimoye; that the fugitiyes got into
the cars at Bladensburg.
The file of the Star brought into court Yesterday
did not come, Mr.. Key said from prisoners house
as he had stated, but from the Star Office as was
office, to The effect that the fle In question was OBJ
tanned there yesterday by the prisoner, with the
promise to return il in an hour
DIR. skinner (resuming) averred that he left the
court house for the purpose Of following Mrs
Skinner TO Bladensburg, at the suggestion of
some one in the court room, who said they were
Gfrnrr II frh falro 4
he was arrested, he was in the act of going after
carriage to ride to Bladensburg. or to Baltimore
II necessary, in pursuit. that he did not give the
children any sign to leave the court room; and
that he does not know where they now are
Deputy Marshal Philips was called to the stand
and testified to the circumstances Of the arrest Of
skinner on the night previous.
When our report closed the court waiting
the arrival Of Conductor Collins and other wit
neSSeS.
No traces thus far have been obtained Of the
children since their their arrival at Baltimore
which place they had reached prior 10 the t.le
graphic dispatch from this city asking their de-
INQUEsr OVER BENJAMIN FLETCHER -Co-o-
ner Woodward held an inquest Yesterday upon
the body Of the colored man Fletcher, and several
Of his death.
T. F. Browning testified to seeing Kendrict
chase Fletcher across the street strike him with
stick and knock him down; deceased fell near the
Pawnbroker's shop opposite; saw Kendrick strike
ElctCncf IN the eye; after This hendftck ran into
his cellar and closed IT,
Mrs. Henrietta Clemenson, Miss Amelia Math
ews and Charles Reynolds testified to the same
general effect.
The jury having examincd the body brought in
the following verdict:
The jury believe, from the evidence, that Ben
Jamin Fletcher, free colored man. was seen run
ming from the north side Of Pennsylvania avenue,
&c the south side, between and 8 O'Clock on the
evening Of the 9TH April, and man named Hen
" Kendrick was seen TO run after him and strike
dsfr1 . IN a hlOtrrn h..I
which he fell the street Upon his (Fietch
eTsl body the jury found a severe wound on the
back Of the skull and one the left eye the
pail OF which appeared to be marked, and they
also believe the skull to have been fractured on
the back part, from which wounds he died about
"a O'Clock on the morning Of the 9Th inst The
Jury also md that deceased was poor and left no
means 10 bury him.
kendrick has not been found thus far by the Of
nccrs in search.
SUDDEN DRAIH.-Yesterday, Coroner Wood