Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-05-31

lowed by woman. The man passed out
the front door. The woman (Nrs. Pratt)
went as far as the front door, and then re-
turned. Pratt in short time opened the
door, entered the sitting-ro0m, walked up 10
Miss Ames and exclaimed, " He's ruined
my wifel he's ruined my wiiel MY doa J
what have l done My poor motherl MY
poor childm He repeated the latter sew
eral times. Mrs. Pratt entered the room
while her husband was talking TO MISS
Ames, and addressing him, said, "Joseph
what made YOU do it? 1t was done without
cause See what temper has brought you
to-" Pratt then flung himself upon the
floor, with his face downwards, and remain
ed in this position utteripg the most agonlz-
ing cries, until he was taken into custody
by the police. Smith LEFT the house by tne
front door and succeeded in reaching Slxth
Street between Tatnall and West, when he
became so weak from loss of blood that he
appealed to Mrs. Lynch to come 10 MS
assistance, and leaned for support against
the fence in front of Mr. ii. #. Pickles resi-
dence. Mrs. Lynch informed Jacob keDman
and others OF the facts OF the case VINO went
to Smiths assistance and endeavored 10
convey him to his residence, but they soon
found that he was too weak to undertake
the task, and they took him into Rebman's
shop. Medical aid was called, and every
effort made to save Smiths life, but he had
| lost so much blood that he died in about half
an hour Smith stated TO Rebman and others
several times that "Joseph Pratt done ii;
he stabbed me with dirk knife" Pratt 8
son, about fourteen years OF age, testified
that the knife which was found In the room
where the deed was committed, clotted WIN
blood and fatty substance, belonged 10 him,
and was presented to him by his father, some
year or two ago.
The defense set up the plea that an i'm
proper intimacy existed between Smith and
the prisoners wife that sometime since
Pratt came home and found that his wife
and child were gone from the city and Pusey
Smith also; that he had at that time, how
ever, been assured that his wife was near
Elkton, sewing, and Pussy Smith was in
New York. That the last time the prisoner
was in New York, he had found Pusey
Smiths hand writing on the register of the
Merchants Hotel, registering ~. w. Smith
and lady" Pratt's suspicious were again
aroused, and he became so nervous and
distracted that he was totally unfit for busl-
ness. He came home on the Friday before
the murder, went TO Elkton on Saturday,
found his wife had not been where she re-
presented she had been, and he went back
home maddened and distracted, and on
Monday, when Smith came to his house,
the fatal blow was struck.
! A number of witnesses from Kimbleyille,
Pa, were examined, who testified that Smith
was frequent visitor at Pratt's house when
he resided in that neighborhood, whenever
Pratt was absent from home and that the
conduct of Mrs. Pratt and the deceased was
OF such character as to create the impress
sion that an improper intimacy existed be
tween them. Young Pratt testified thai
Smith came TO his mothers house as otter
as seven times a week; and that he (younE
Pratt) was frequently sent out of the hous'
for cakes or ice cream, while Smith wa
there A number OF witnesses, who resid,
in the vicinity, testified to seeing Smitl
frequently going to Mrs. Pratt's. The eyi
dence was concluded on Wednesday alter
noon, when the case was ably argued b,
Attorney General Moore and Deputy Attor
ney General Higgins for the State, AM
Thomas F. Bayard and Wayne McVeagh
for the defence. The argument was close
yesterday afternoon,
AS we go to press the case had not beel
: submitted TO the Jury 1t was supposed
however, that verdict would be rendere
last night, which would be favorable TO til
prisoner