Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1867-04-30
HORRIBLE MURDER.
A Man Slabs Anoth'r for AL
legged Inn pro per Intimacy
with his wife
THE PEUPETRATOR ARRESTED

THE PERPETRATOR AKRES lED' :
About len O'Clock yesterday morning our
city was thrown into stare of great excite :
ment, by n terrible tragedy which occurred ,
at the residence of J. w. Pratt, No. 523
West Seventh Street.
The circumstances of the case, as we learn
them, as as follows:-It appears that MT !
j. W. Pratt lives in house owned by Mr.. I,
j. Pussy Smith, Proprietor of the Indian
Queen Hotel, conner Fifth and Market Sts
Smith. Il is alleged, had some workmen en-
gagged in papering the house, and went there
10 see what progress they were making with
the work Whilst standing IN the entry
talking to the men, Mr. Pratt came down
stairs, armed with large bowie-knife, walk
ed up TO Smith and inflicted wound on the
left arm near the shoulder severing what is
called the humeral artery. The wound was
several inches long. we learn mat mls.
Pratt endeavored to save Smith from being
stabbed, and had one Of her hands severely
cut in the effort. Mr. Smith Immediately
left the premises, and started in the dtrec-
ton of his home, the wound bleeding pro-
fusely all the time, and marking the pave
ment with blood When he reached sixth
and Tatnal, he was so weak and faint from
loss of blood, that he iell upon the pave
meni. He was picked up and carried into |
Sixth and Tatnall, where Drs Wilson, Por' |
ter, Draper and Tracey were summoned to
attend him. The physicians made every |
effort 10 staunch the wound and stop the
blood but without success, ami he expired in
about twenty minutes.
Mr.. Pratt remained at his residence,
making no effort to escape lie was taken
into custody by Officers Heal, Solomon
and Hyatt, and lodged in the City Hall
cells. 10 await the verdict of the Coro-
ner's Jury. The streets are full Of rumors
in relation TO the causes which led TO
this unfortunate difficulty, which the evil
dcnce alone will explain. II is alleged that
Mr.. Pratt charged Smith with improper in
timncy with his wife, and thus terribly re-
venged himself for the wrongs inflicted upon
him Mr.. Pratt we believe, was from Chester
County but has resided in our city for sew
eral years, where he was engaged in bust
ness as a Real Estate Agent. He occupied a
respectable position in society. Mr.. Smiths
body was removed TO his residence short
time after his death.
Coroner Belew assisted by Deputy Coro
ner Curry, held an inquest in the Council
! Chamber of the City Hall yesterday after
noon. When we went to press the jury
were still engaged in taking testimony with
little prospect Of being able to render YER
e dict until late hour in the evening.
!. United States Couu.-The United States
n District Couu,-Hon. Judge Hall on the
a bench--met yesterday morning, in this city.
The argument OF counsel, in the case of
/. conspiracy to defraud the government, by
r Manuel Hit and Alonzo Hayes, on motion for
n a new trial, was heard. Capt Nields for de-
fence. commended for new trial on the ground
II of after-dscovered aud important testimony,
/. The evidence adduced in support of the argu-
r ment showed loose and by no means credit
n able system ofproving signatures by affidavit
y before magistrates. At least such is the ma
d ture and tendency of the evidence presented
IF TO the court in this argument. Afidaylts
d were laid before the jury in the case when
:. on trial, which were sworn to and witnessed
a on oath before Alderman Vlncent-with his
! aid and countenance-which the defence
q now AYERS IRE spurious and fraudulent, hence
,e the effort to get the whole matter before
81 another jury, where the testimony OF thu
,e Alderman can be more closely examined ant
A evidence thoroughly sifted. The counse
n. stated that while the prisoner received al
rs most but fifty dollars, the Alderman got ONT
es hundred and fifty dollars, Notwithstanding
lie the claim had been in the hands Of Cox & Co.
NO of Washington, who also took slice in thu
Id shape OF lees fol- legitimate services rendered
We Mr.. Harrington, for the Government, mad,
IN an able and spirited rejoinder to the argu
ID ment of the counsel for defence. and citet
now too late TO produce new testimony unles
n. under certain conditions which, he contend
nj ed, the other side had not complied with
The Judge, after hearing the argument
og stated that he would give his decision in tn
li matter at o'clock, and the prisoner was re
pt manded to jail,
ia AT o'clock, Judge Hall delivered his OPT
IL. MON in the case and after reviewing the argu
,lv ments, overruled the motion for new trial
10 The prisoner was given into the custody OF tn
m. Marshal, to be forthcoming on Tuesday morn
I'm ing at 10 O'clock when he will in all proba
H.. bility be sentenced,
hle VI. G. 7. Poulson, was then arraigne
al for trial and u. We % To press a Jury
al being empaneled.
ice Murder in Philddelphid.-A cold -bloode
ult murder was committed in Philadelphia, o
as Thursday afternoon last, at 1909 Shippe
II Street. The victim was an aged woma
NJ. named Mrs. Dorcas Magilton. From IL
ton evidence il appears that the husband Of Mr.
md Magilton left his wife about one o'clocl
pa alone in the house, while he went TO hay
Jay her spectacles repaired. He was absei
len from home about an hour, and when
I'M returned he found the body OF his wife lyir
the on the floor covered blood, with seye
oss confusion on the head and her throat C
ad- from ear to ear young man nami
vas George W. WinnemOre, has been arrestt
tide charged with the commission Of the Grim
his He had been five years IN the army, al
wn after his discharge came to Philsdelphi
where he formed the acquaintance of MI
ON Magilton, at meeting OF splritualists, abo
leat q month ago He has since frequent
God visited the house. The razor with whit
the the horrid deed was committed has be-
4 of recognized as belonging TO Winnemore, al
ach two two dollar notes which Henry Bickle
ices son-in-aw Of the deceased, gave TO her
ALL Wednesday afternoon, were found on
am person. The prisoner has been commit
Do for trial. 1t is supposed that this territ
the crime was committed by WinnemOre
purposes of plumber.
Trst Violation of the Regenue Laos.-On Thu
Iay. day evening last the United States Reven
nv. officers, of this city assisted by police offic
N Wingate, of the Fourth Ward, broke up
lin. distillery which has been in operation
nth. some time at 1909 French street, in violati
,inp of the Revenue laws of the United Stat
nies II is said the distil, and everything come
e ia ed Herewith, belonged to man who resid
and in Philadelphia, named Stewart. A m
1me named George Nickerson was found work.
,itv the distilery, and Captain Joseph H. Rio
ow, ards is charged with being an accessory
he Nickerson in violating the Revenue Law
The officers made search for the liquor viii
IA nj had been manufactured by Nickerson, o
i'm. two barrels were discovered in the cellar
who Richards, which is said to be porti
Bore of it, Richards and Nickerson were ARE
mia. ed and taken before United States Comm
half sloner a. harmani ESQ, VINO alter near
heen the sum of 81 900 for their appearance bef
Ma the United STATES Dls'IlGt court whlSh L
ma yesterday IN tnis clty' ueoIge Noneker
the tered bail for Captain Richards, and John
ali e GALLAGHER for Nickerson, The cases will