Evening star., 1880-02-17
Stone, the Wife Murderer.

A ROMANTIC EPISODE, LEADING TO A MARRIAGE
On the 5th OF october, 1875, James NJ. W.
Stone, colored man, made fierce attack on
his wife, Alberta Stone, and her sister, at their
home on 18th street, in this city. cutting the
threats of both women. The wife died from her
wounds. Stone was called for trial In the early
part OF 1879, and his counsel failing to secure a
continuance retired from the case. and Messrs.
A. A. Browne and X. L. Greener were assigned
as his counsel by the court and the case was
then, on their motion. continued. The case
was tried in october last, and the counsel en-
deaVored to prove that defendant was of un-
boy, but the trial resulted in his conviction. He
was thereupon sentenced to be executed on the
lnl.o9 18th Of Il, December The case having been
on exceptions, the sentence was suS-
pended under the law until thirty days
after the expiration of the time. The case was
mere argued by Mr.. Browne and A. A. Town.
send (of Baltimorel, and about the latter part
Of January the judgment below was affirmed.
subsequently Stone was brought up from Jail
and the time for execution was changed to the
9th OF this month between the hours OF 12 and
O'Clock. Mr.. Browne being widower when
ne went into the case, and being compelled in
friends In Maine as to the proof OF character,
Stones injury as alleged, &C.. became acquaint-
ed by letter with a mfddle-a aged widow Mrs.
Cyrene E. Dunn, the daughter OF the gentleman
by whom Stone was raised. AS the time for the
execution In December approached Mrs. Dunn
det termined to do all she could for Stone, and
called on by Mr.. Browne, and in few days
they became quite intimate, and the result was
that few days after Stone was last in court
January 31st-Mr. Browne and Mrs Dunn were
married by Rev. DIR. Sunderland. Both of them
are now doing everything in their power to
save Stone from The scaffOld. and they have
some hopes OF obtaining stay OF execution.
There are no preparations at the Jail yet for
the execution. There are but few to be made
the ScaffO'd made for Peyton (vhO was to have
been executed Jure 20th last, but whose SEN
trOn icon ont for, foN
being on hand and In good order. This struc-
ture is 21 feet in height and II feet square, the
platform about 10 feet from the ground having
Inc trap IN the center, AZ by feet. 1t IS
thought that there will be no need of its erection
as Stone is quite hopeful OF a Communication of
sentence. Mr.. Browne and his wife are, as
and it is understood that among other letters In
stones Dehalf IS one from Gen. Crocker, the
warden. final hearing will be given the coun-
sci oy the Attorney General this week.
In THE SUIT OF r. B. PORTER against Eugene
MickieWfcz and others, Judge James yesterday
stewart receivers. to take charge OF the coal,
which forms the assets division of which are
asked The Injunction against interference by
Count Mickiewicz was continued during the
pendency OF the suit.
A MANDAMUs AGAINST SECRETARY THOMPSON.
Yesterday. in the District Supreme Court. a
petition for mandamus on Secretary Thomp-
son was filed by Ensign William f. Whftly.
feGitlOneT states tnat he entered at the Naval
Academy in June, 1870, and graduated June /,
1874, as cadet midshipman being admitted as
midshipman November 13, in the same year.
In october, 1876, he was examined and passed
as ensign, taking rank as No. 81 on the naval
list. He charges that he was afterwards de-
graded five numbers, and NJ. G. Reynolds pro-
NOTED in his place on January 1, 1871, without
CON pliance with the law, which provides only
two grounds for such action. One OF these is
by court-martial and the other from failure to
pass an examination, which sets a candidate
back one year. The loss in immediate paw he
states to be $50 per month for six months, but
as the course OF promotion goes on this in
creascs In the next three grades the differ
ence In pay will be $500 per year.
THE SOUTH WASHINGTON CITIZENS PROTECTIVE
ASSOCIATION met last night and report from
the committee OF twenty-five stated that the
memorial adopted at the previous meeting had
been printed and copy laid upon the desk Of
every member of the House, and the District
committee had copies In their committee room.
motion was adopted instructing the committee