Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-03-18
THE COVRTS.


Today the grand jurors were called, Mr..
William b. Reed, foreman, and sworn. Judge
Wylle charged them as to their duties, calling
their attention to the matter of nuiSanceS, and
also to the matter OF libel, reminding them that
no man had the right to stab the reputation of
men in the dark. He remarked that parties
through revenge published llbellous matter in
the papers and they feared nothing short of
criminal prosecution and if sued in the law
court no damages could be made. He advised
the jury to make such cases objects of special
inquiry. They then retired to commence the
work OF the term.
TRIAL FOR MANSLACGHTER
Frederick w. Welrick, a German. indicted
for the murder of Bartholomew Hemm, on
October 18th, 1876, and who was once before
tried and convicted of manslaughter and
awarded a new trial, was again placed on trial
this mOrning-District Attorney Wells for the
government, and Mr.. o. ID. Barrett and Nh
rIlla NJ Kicker for defence.
The following jurors were selected from the
regular panel: Samuel V. Hurdle NJ. j. Laugh
lin, John S. Paxton, Peter Mcintyre, L. Addi-
son Dent, NJ: Il. CoOmbs, G. j. Johnson ChaS
James, W. ii. Collins, W. II. Daw. James w.
Sears and RObertV. Langley.
Before entering on the trial Judge Wylie
read the act OF Congress approved on Satur-
DAY last, making persons charged with crime
competent witnesses in United States terrific
RAJ courts, courts martial and courts of in
aulry, Nncludlng the courts of the DiStrct)
The act provides that the perSOnsSO charged
shall, at his own request but not otherwise. be
competent witness. And his failure to make
such request shall not create any presumption
against him.
Mr.; Wells briefly opened the case, stating
that they expected to show that the accused
was handling musket in the saloon of Hemm
ana 1t was not capped; that it subsequently
ana pSa Hemm was killed and it was
The defence claim that the shooting was en-
tlrely accidental.
PROBATE CoURT-Judge DIN.
order RI esIaf OF Amos Hart deceased
decree nj or doll,
Thos. Jones, VIM. and Robert Bellew the bal
ance OF the money remaining in his hands
Estate Of Arabella Webster; letters Of ad
$500. Estate of James Alden, late of Z. s.
navy; answer of executor filed: Estate John
Sl0ussa !; inventory and list of debts returned
qualified Estate Ann Nj. Brooks spe Citation
to executriX. Adjourned to Tuesday next at
II O'Clock.
POLICE COURT-Judge Sneu
SATURDAY., John Curran was fined S. for as
sault and battery on VIM. B. Sayres He was
also hmed $40 for assault on John 7. BristOw
John Wylie,, young white man. of good APP
pearance, pleaded guilty to stealing an over
James Fort was sent down for a tramp and
vagrant. Thomas Ward, white, charged with
carrying carr razor; go or sixty days in jai-ap-
peal taken and bonds given. Margaret Gui-
nand was sent down as a vagrant. VIM. John
son, trespass on parking; s.. He was also fined
~ or sixty days in jail for carrying slung-
s sren, mary WescOtt, eursing on Pennsylvania
avenue; y. James Fraster, John w Robin
son and Daniel Robinson, larceny of 0uan
tlty OF household articles worth about S.. be
longing TO Harriet L. Atehison reform school.
TO-DAY.
Walter Dean, assault on John Williams S.
and costs. James Davis was sent down to the
farm for vagrancy. Andrew Hillery do. VIM
Cloakley, was fined $40 for flourishing a dirk
for assault and battery on Adeine Moore
Samuel Lomax was fined S. and costs for an
assault and battery on John Williams.
CHARGE OF ARSON,
In the case of Peter LOinax, charged with
setting fire to his house for the purpose of Sc
curing the insurance policy, before the court
Saturday, and continued, Mr.. f. p. HalStead,
secretary OF the German-AmericanF Fire Insur-
and produced a certificate OF Insurance for
s., O0O and stated that the LOmaXs had effect
Cd edoa Loan on their property, through John
over this policy of insurance to Sherman and
Gatchel for loan of s., 600. Mr.. N. d. Larner,
secretary of the National Union Insurance
issued policy for siooo on February 7 tn Ito to
Peter LomaX on this property on street. No
notice had been given him that any other in
had s
anime the premises, at the request of Jas. LO-
max. and was ready to pay, when he heard of
the arrest Of Peter. ONCE ficser B Burgess te a
TO finding can of coal oil On the premises
and other suspicious circumstances. Thee
was about half pint of coal Oil in the can
when found. The can had a tag on it marked
Louise Home LOmaX when arrested said
something about a paint pot having been found
at the house used by the painters to get mate
rials in from Spaulding,s paint shop. Mrs.
Hunter. OF the Louise Home, was called to
! identify the can, but could not say that this
was the one. They had used such a one to get
oil for Oiling the floors. Since this fire occurred
she had searched the premises for the oil can,
but could not find it. Lomax had been la:
| bOrer for the past seven years at.the Home
Several witnesses for the defence were called
OF cOlored persons to prove an alibi, and con-
siderable cross examination was had by coun-
sci on both sides. Samuel jackson, a cOlOred
| witness who had been reserved by prosecuting
attorney Coyle to clinch the case against LO-
man, having recognized him in the dock this
| morning as the perSOl he saw about that
house and enter it with a can in his hand Just
before the IRE, was brought to the stand, and
went back on what he had privately told MIR.
Coyle In the witness room and when requested
hy me court 10 point out the right man again
another man as the one. This, of course,
| max was dismissed,