Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-08-30
MURDER IN VIEW CASTLE.

On Wednesday night last white man
named James Booth deliberately shot dead |
q colored man named William Smith, while |
he was setting in his own house. It appears |
that Booth has pump in front of his house |
and alleges that the colored people residing |
in the vicinity have recently been in the
habit Of annoying him very much in refer
enco to it. On Wednesday night a grand
son of the deceased, John w. Smith, was
in the neighborhood of Mr.. Booths when
the latter struck Smith, without any provo
cation. Smith ran 10 the residence of his
grandfather pursued by Booth who struck
young Smith q second time as he entered
the door. The deceased hearing the noise
came down stairs, when John told him that
james booth had struck him without any
cause Booth then declared that If he
(Smith) would put his head out OF the win
dow, he would tell him what lIe did 1t for.
Booth then advanced towards the window
pointed pistol at William Smith and fired.
The ball took effect in his breast and he died
almost instantly. Coroner Bellew assisted
by Deputy Coroner Curry held an inquest
on the body yesterday, when the following
testimony was elected:
John W. Smith, sworn.-Between 8 and
8 o'clock, on the evening of August 28th, l
was In front of Miss Bowman's house as
got opposite to the pump, Mr.. Booth struck
me; then ran, Booth following me; as
went in the door of my grandfather's house
he struck me again went in and shut the
door; VIM. Smith came down stairs and sit
down at the window; said James Booth
struck me; VIM. Smith asked me what he
did it for; told him for nothi ng, that
knew Of Booth then said If he pokes his
head out of that window, will show him
what for;" Booth then came towards the
window; as he was opposite the door by the
tree, looked out and saw him pointing a
pistol; I saw the fash and heard the report
VIM. Smith jumped from the chair and
went towards the front door holding bott
hands to his breast, saying, 81 am gone,
am shot, | then ran for Doctor Bootl
ran towards the Railroad.
Martha Ann Booker, sworn.---I was at my
own house when Mr.. Booth came by, an(
told me to take my head in the window
which did, and came to the door; though
he was speaking TO me Mr.. Booth thel
went towards VIM. Smiths house with
pistol in his hand; heard the report AM
saw the fash; then went IN my house AM
shut the door this was between and
o'clock in the evening.
!, Elizabeth Roy was examined and corrot
GRATED Martha A. Bocker's testimony.
. Sheriff Herbert, testified that Booth cam
> to his office about 15 minutes before min
O'Clock, on Wednesday evening, and strrrer
= dered himself, asking to be locked up. Th
II Sheriff committed him to prison.
= Joseph A. Vining, sworn.-I was on dut
, at the prison, between and o'clock, lai
evening; the Sheriff brought James Boot
u in as prisoner; l asked him if he had an
~ weapon; he said III have pistol and Civ
y it into your charge;" he said it had fol
~ loads in it; two had been shot out by Wn
Grow, and one by himself.
!" DR.. John Merritt examined the body, an
testified that he found gun shot wour
diameter, penetrating the breast and passir
through the upper part of the right side
the heart, from which wound the said WI
1g Smith died.
N The jury rendered verdict "That Il
vii said VIM. Smith came to his death by g
its shot wound by the hands of James Boot
it, on the evening OF August ssth, 1867, in Il
We town OF New Castle"
The Coroner committed Booth to Jail
10 answer the charge at the November term
ed the Court. Booth S a man about 35 yea
i'd of age.
I'd, The deceased was about so years old, u
les has number of children most of who
ch are grown up. The affair produced con
derable excitement
I'll, as----