Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-05-03
KILLING OF j. PUsEY SMITH,
.Dr,m,o,ys1 pApnrcrtr.ARs

=
,vidence submitted TO the Coroner's jury J
Il appears from the testimony OF the paper
Joseph II. and Joseph
Henry Greenman-that they were engaged
n papering the back chamber in the secono
story of the house occupied by Pratt, wnlcn
belonged to MIR. Smith. AT about hali-past
nine O'Clock, in the morning, Mr.. Smth
walked into the house and up stairs; ne eS-
lmined the front room which was finished,
and remarked that the paper looked well,
he also said something in praise OF the paper
the men were putting on the back room,
after which he babe them good morning anu
went out of the room. The witnesses then
heard HIM ascend the steps to the third story,
Almost Immediately after Smith reached the
upper story the witnesses heard a scui1e, ana
shortly afterwards heavy fall, and then
female voice exclaiming My Lord, Joseph
what have you done?n They then heard
footsteps of a man descending the stairs fol-
lowed by woman. One OF the witnesses
then shut the room door, and while doing SO,
saw blood marks in the entry. Shortly alter
wards they heard man (PratD groanlng IN
the third story, and crying NOh my zoo
my Godr' The workmen had not seen any |
man but Smith about the house that Jay.
From this ii appears that the alteration TOOK
place in the third story back room and there
Smith received the fatal wound.
Mrs. Isabella Mcdaniel, who lives next
door 10 Mr.. Pratt, testified that she did not
see the stabbing, heard the noise, saw blood
on the pavement, and saw some one whom
she took 10 be Smith leave the house short
ly afterwards.
Mrs A. Mcdaniel, being affirmed, testified
that she heard the noise, saw the blood on
the pavement, and soon afterwards saw Mr.
Pratt at the door, and heard him say lie
has ruined my wife"
There does not appear TO be any evidence
| in regard to Smith from the time he lelt MIR.
| Creenman at the door of the back room in
the second story, until he was found in
diving condition by Mrs. Susan Lynch, sit
| ting on Mr.. H. f. Pickles steps. This lady
informed Mr.. Jacob Rehman that she had
seen n man up Sixth street bleeding badly;
Mr.. Rebman went 10 his assistance, asked
him what was the matter, when Smith re.
piled that 10 Pratt had stabbed INN, ana
asked TO be taken home to the Indian queen
Hotel. Rebman and Joseph Glatts attempt
cd TO take Smith home, but found when they
reached the easterly side of Tatnall street,
that he was too weak 10 proceed further, and
took him back to r ,bman's shop, and laid
him unon settee. Drs. Treaoey, Draper,
T Porter and Wilson attended him, and used
every effort 10 save his life but in vain, as he
died in about half an hour. Smith repeated,
ly stated that 10 Pratt stabbed him, whilst
lying in Rebman's shop. And few
minutes before he expired he remarked thai
$ he was dying and reiterated the declaration
4 that Pratt committed the deed. The deceased
D was removed to his residence shortly altel
his death, and post norton examination
was made of the body the same afternoon
| by Drs Treacey Draper and Porter, wheI
i il was found, that the deceased came to hi
C death from a wound inflicted by n sharp cut
n ting instrument; wound beginning on lin
y, with and four inches below the point Of TIL
i left shoulder, posteriorly The wound wa
% inches in length, extending III the lon
diameter or parallel with the length oil TIL
l. arm. The wound was Al inches deep penC
Ii trating across the axilla or arm pit, an
i, severing the aXillary artery, and being i
u It's lower third. Death caused by the loss {
D. blood.
The knife with which the stab was mad
was long dirk, III inches from the poi1
10 of blade TO the top of handle; the blade
"A inches long; it has white bone hand
" and German silver guard; inscribed on on
I'd side of the blade are the words, "Never drA'
lie me without reason, nor sheatbe me withol
n. honorn The knife looks as though it ha
4. been carried for some time, but never bee
"a used before; for Al inches from its point ii
IL marked by u greasy, fatty substance, an
)i. here ard there with small flecks OF bloo
above that the blade has the usual polish
new knives untaTnished.
VIM. L. Heal testified 10 arresting Prni
RS. He found him lying in the back room, ta
NJ. downwards, on the floor, his wife was sittii
,rs in the front room. He made no resistanC
G. appeared very weak and much agitate
Officer Solomon assisted him in taking Pri
IRE TO the City Hall.
Set Chalmers Wilson testified to finding I
knife covered with blood, in the room
IN Pratt's house, where the stabbing took plat
rth He traced the blood from Rebman's shop
ice Pratt's house and up into the room who
,ed the unfortunate affair occurred.
Iir- No one saw Smith go in the house on Il
en- day; but Robert II. Cam testified that
saw him going up Jefferson street, betwC
ow Sixth and Seventh, short time before
OF occurrence. Mr.. Cam and several W
nesses testified to his being a frequent visi
go, at Mrs. Pratt's during the past year.
Mr.. was a so given in testimony that Pratt v
in home on Friday night, but had not bC
seen before for six months.
4 of The jury rendered verdict, THAT
This said J. Pusey Smith, came to his death b
the wound inflicted with dirk in the hands
lar Joseph w. Pratt, at house in SIEVE
,lcy street, Wilmington, Del, on the morning
lrm the Goth day OF April, 1867"
the Mr.. Pratt was brought before the Coronl
lay. Jury, and permission given him TO m
ges, any statement he might desire, but he
cad clined to say anything in reference TO
matter.
Pratt's wife had two private intervi
Per with her husband, after his arrest, one
Il Oh Monday evening and another on Tues
eN- morning Both appeared much afleote
" the meeting.
IRE Pratt was committed TO jail at New Gas
one on Tuesday morning. He was taken {
IN, Inc by High Constable DougheIty.
Inc There are various stories ailoat relativ
soon Smiths alleged criminal intercourse '
mes. Mrs. Pratt, but we forbear 10 give cure
sons to them, prelerring 10 await the evidence
lnlii the trial which Will take place In a few we
Is OF The funeral of the deceased took p
lslu- yesterday afternoon, from his late reside
en- Fifth and Market streets, and was lar
iess; attended. The religious services were
lucu Quoted by the Rev. Mr.. Breck of Tri
W o. Church.
81 III Pratt is about 4G or AZ years of age, IA
'h as stout, and would pass Tor a fine looking Il
ING tlc He has one child, "A boy about l4years of
ailef MIR. Smith was about 4S years OF age,
'eing of genteel appearance. He leaves
use- and four children to mourn his sad fate.
n in, Tie Visit Of the Washington Fire {
build pany to NortOk.-The Washington
com Company's Steam Engine will leave
alton city, Tor Norfolk. tomorrow morning
rvicc charge of Committee. This course
atine been adopted to avoid delay in shipping
pro- steamer at Crisfeld The company
stab leave on Sunday night, at 12 o'clock.
life, expect TO take sixty or seventy men,
sup will be accompanied by the Liberty C'
lg an Band OF Philadelphia, Prof McClurg, lo
Juild4 They expect TO return home on or aDou
IN at 18th inst, and VIII visit Norfolk and
struc. mond during their absence The No
Drfere firemen are making arrangements to
Ioore, them grand reception.
y NJ t on officers Blected.-Ata regular stated