Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1876-04-28
Tn Hooper sfOGse.


q,uovAs MONK. Harnett Town hip.
1oHv J. REAsLEY. Masouboro tn.
Tn. ss"oper sfOGse-
The Ecening Herit'o thinks orr
creduIity has been stuffed on the Gen
tennis! question. and informs MS that
according to the best information now
ohtair0blA we are not correct IN our
assertion. ''as the Hooper House, we'll
known and remembered as such, stood
little distance to tie sout.. and east
of 81 Thomas Church, fronting on
Third street but standing back from
the treet.
Tpon inquiry we fnd tina the Re
rjl,r Is correct in stating that q Hoor-
o., l,.use was located as it st ties. But
ti,is vas the residence Of Archibald
Hoorar and not Of William Hooper,
+b.. ,IgDer Of the DE- c!arrtiOn of hide
nenlAnca. An old and distinguished
member of the Bar, whose family has
resided on the Cape Fear since before
the days of the Revolution, writes as
follows:
All can sa Is, that I have always
hparI that the Clubhouse in DR..
Mex. els yard " rs Hooprr's house, but
do not know anything about it beyond
mere rumOr.
Another old and distinguished mem
ber of the bar, one of the oldest, if
not tie Oldest living man who was
born in Wilmington. and a gentleman
whose familiarity with the ira
ditions and families, not only of
Wilmington, but Of the whole State, is
remarkable, informs us that the Hooper
house that stood near ST. Thomas
Church was the residence of Archibald
and not of William Hooper. He also
tells US that William Hooper's house
is still standing on Castle street and is
Low the residence of Mr.. James
Darby; that the distinguished William
Hooper now living, Sc years old,
grandson of the William Hooper i'll
question, went with him to take a look
at the old homestead during visit
y
and that the house on the McRee lot
was the residence of Mr. Fergus. til
grandfather Cf the elder DR. James T
McRee. This we have ~ dou 1T is all.
correct, but still there is reason to be
levo that William Hooper's family
lived in the house now on the McRee
lot. at least from January till October,
17Sl, dining the occupation of Will
mIngton by the British.
We are promised Ii paper which will
Set the matter at rest.
superior Court.
The April term of New Hanover Su-
perior Court convened Yesterday morn
ing, His Honor. Judge A. A. Mickey
presiding.
After the Grand Jury was drawn and
sworn Ills Honor delivered his charge
which occupied the morning session
Eutii near one O'Clock.
TIE off, noes against the criminal law
were generally discussed and explained
in tie order Of their gravity, commenc-
with the higher Offences and coming
down to the lesser, and concluding
with Tie statutory offences. The oath
of the Grand Jury was likewise ami
madverted upon
In discussing the law Of libel, and
explaining what were the duties Of a
grand Jury in such case, lie took oc-
c4slon to take up the question of
NEWSPAPERS
and newspaper publications, stating
tia; although i'll this country there
existed such thing as the freedom of
the press, yet the press must so cons
dact itself as not to be amenabie to the
law Of lible. No newspaper could
falsely charge an individual with
crime. or with offences which would
lower him in the estimation of his
1ell0wmen, without being indictable for
the otf=nse of libel. The publishers,
editors. and authors of such articles,
as well as those who circulate the
paper containing them are all alike
guilty. After such parties are indicted
they may plead justification, and prove
the truth of the charges, if they are
true, but if they fail in this,
petit jnry would be compelled to
convict. If this wholesome restraint
Were not put upon the press by the
enforcement of the criminal law of
libel, irresponsible men could do ire
parable injury in a community, and
the injured persons would be without
remedy. No one in a community
would he safe. AS the Judge was cou-
Guiding s remarks on this point the
foreman OF the grand jury, Mr.. Fos-
Ter, asked if the grand jury had tue
right to inquire into the truth of such
hbelous charges. Toe Judge replied
that they had not.
1ue crimes of fornication and
adultery and conspiracy were dIlated
upon at great length, and the evils to
society and the purity of the ballot
poA' which respectively grew oIt of
tHeSe crimes, We're discussed, held up
10 otteStatlon and impressed upon the
attention Of the grand jury.
Ihe following is list of the names
OF the grand Jurors: F. w. Fostor,
foF-t.4 M John T.. Sneeden, Vim.
fFatt' John Curtis, VIM. Kellogg. Sr..
Ezekiel Hollist, Christian Russell,
James Jarman, VIM. Fl. Waldell, Ed.
Stiles, VIM. Martin, y. Surfer, Alex
hooper, Abram Moseley, VIM. Powell,
Benz. Scott, Alonzo Simmons, :ieo.
W. Rogers.
In the afternoon session the follows
ing cases were disposed of:
All SCI fas in the cases (vs) Mack
Daniel were settled On the payment OF
one penny and costs.
o1ate VS.. John McKoy, as ault and