Middletown transcript., 1877-05-12
LETTER FROM NEW CASTLE.

DEAR TRANscRTPT Even a casual observer
of the unusual hustle and other indications oi
preparation which were to be seen towards
the close of last week, in the Gilpin House,
might have inferred that that prince Of good
fellows and politest of hosts. George Whit
field, was on the gui Uire for a ''bg thing :"
And sure enough now, in court week, he is
working his "big bonanza" for judges, law
yers, jurors, litigants, witnesses, spectators
all seem to know the man who has learned
how to "keep hoteln and govern themselves
accordingly.
In obedience to law, the Court of Oyer and
Terminer and General Session Of the Peace
and Jail Delivery for New Castle county, met
in New Castle on Monday morning, the 7th
inst, Chief Justice Comegys and Associate
Justices Houston and Wales on the bench
Judge Wooten is absent, and we regret TO
learn that illness Of his wife is the cause.
Judge Houston delivered the charge to the
grand jury, which as is to be expected Of any
thing eminating from that learned gentleman,
was Iucldl explicit ana true.
Having learned that the Chief Justice was
suffering in health recently, we were pleased
TO see that he has so far recovered as to man
ifest but little effect from his sickness
Senator Bayard was in New Castle few
hours on Monday We were paiued to dis
cover in his appearance, the evidence of over
work during the past winter. The wearing
effect Of ''long days of anguish and nights
devoid of ease, during the trying experiences
Of the late session of Congress is, we regret to
say, quite manifest. May the needed rest
bring the desired recuperation.
1t is thought that the term of court will be
fully Of average duration, if not more, as
there is long catalogue of cases of minor
importance. There are two capital offenses
charged; Middletown having the .unenyiable
distinction of furnishing one Of them. The
case of Leauby was undergoing investigation
to-day but did not learn if the grand jury
have yet brought bill. A bill was found
against The negro Rhodes who killed Temple,
near Wilmington, for The crime Of murder,
But, if the State has not some other evidence
than that brought TO light by the Coroner's
inquest, conviction will hardly ensue. The
facts developed by that investigation sum-
married., are as follows Jealousy had devel-
oped bad blood between Rhodes and Temple;
mutual threats Of violence and death had been
made; Temple, powerful and desperate man,
way-laid Rhodes at night, in lonely spot
he made an assault with deadly weapon-a
knife Rhodes fed, but fell, and as Temple
was approaching the PROSTATE Rhodes, breath
ing out threatenings and wrath, the latter
hurled a piece of 'slag,' which chance pre-
ground with the knife which fell from Tenn
ple's hand, Rhodes put it forever out Of the
power of his would-be assassin to execute his
purpose, by Staying him, cutting his throat
and almost severing the head from the trunk.
If these be the facts, never was there much
clearer case of justifable homicide Mr.. Bird,
! am told, will defend Rhodes.
Leauby has placed his case in the hands of
the industrious and persistent young lawyer,
H. C. Turner, Esq, who will be assisted by
the eloquent O'Byrne. Let me say par pqren-
these, that Mr. Turner has informed me as a
man of sufficient capacity and industry to
make his success at the bar certainty, for
which he has our best wishes.
The Att General, Col. Pennington, went to
Wilmington last week TO collate and arrange
the evidence in Rhodes case, and came to
New Castle Friday evening TO ''fx things
He and his able deputy, Mr.. Ro-
binson, assisted by the son Of the Atty. Cen
eral, have disposed of considerable amount
Of work during the first three days Of court,
as the reports in the daily papers will show
The trial Of Rhodes is set for tomorrow,
and in my next, hope to be able
to give the salient points Of that case, and
pussibly of Leauby's also.
MORE ANON.
New CAsT1E Nav 9th 1877.