Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-03-07
QUARTER SESSIONS.


QUARTER SESSIONS.
coNrINUArIOn OF rns AHsoN cAsxs-
various Witnesses Testify-Wertz Tslllng IN
Story Regarding the E1res-Bsimmsr
Called N Rsbustal.
1desdav cfternoon.- ". John
Wertz, arson.
George Brimmer wA recalled for cross
examination, but nothing new was elected.
Charles Holman, an ex-police Officer,
testified that on the night OF the fire h0
was on duty ON East King street sav
Brimmer that night. between 10 and IL
O'Clock, with Wertz and Drachbar they
went into the alley between Schoenberger's
saloon and Eckert's grocery they then
went up East King street.
On cross examination the witness stated
that hc met WeItz and Drachbar again
about 12 o'clock on that night ; they went
out East King.
Officer Charles I. Stormfelts, of the police
force. testified that he saw Brimmer ON
the night of this fire, on East King street
near Eckert's grocery store Wertz and
Drachbar were with him they were going
in the direction of the American hose
house witness has been making diligent
search for Drachbar, but cannot find
him.
Robert Stapleford testified, that on the
| night of tho fire he saw Brimmer and
Drachbar met them shortly after 10
/ O'Clock, on Limo street between Church
and Middle, near Landau's corner.
Miss Agnes Powell testified that she
lives in Middle street, right across from
Landau's store late ON the night of the
fire, she saw three men from her window !;
they were standing on the corner ON the
same side of the street she could not
recognize any of them heard one say, 'It
will mako hell of big fire."
| Frederick Hines testified that he resides
on Middle street on that night Drachbar
and Wertz came to his house between 12
and O'Clock they were there about
fifteen minutes, when Brimmer came and
knocked, stating that the cork factory
was on tire Draohbar and Wertz went
out first Brimmer was never at the house
of witness before that ON Saturday nights.
] Jacob Pfoutz testified that he was at
Hines house on this night Drachbar and
Wertz come there about 124 o'clock !;
Brimmer came soon afterwards, and. put
ting his head in, said there was fire.
George Irwin corrOborated PfOutz.
The defense here asked for verdict of
acquittal, on tbs ground that there was
not sufficient corrOb0rative evidence in
support of the accomplice, as is required
by law. The common wealth argued that
corroborative evidence had been shown
and there was sufficient to have the case
go to the jury. The court decided that
the case should go to the jury.
The defense He'd George Brimmer for
further cross examination. He was asked
whether he told Walter Rogers in prison
that Wertz was not at the cork factory
fire, and he replied that he did not.
;. Tho Defense.
, w. T. Brown, esq, opened tho case for
tho defense, stating what they intended to
prove.
!, The first witness called was the accused.
He testified as follows On the night Of
this fire I left Urich's saloon at 12 O'Clock
at the corner of East King and Duke
streets I met Drachbar and told him was
on my way home ho said he would &c
along; we walked up as tar as Sch0enher
gers saloon, on East King street, which
. was being scrubbed we did not 60 in, al
the beer was all We then went on up the
street and net Officer Holman at Knapp'i
who said no saloons were open; we tried
to get in Barer's, but could not at the
f corner of Li.co said was going home
Drachbar asked me to go with him t0
Hines house where there was beer;
went with him down Lime to Middle and
y thence to Hines house, where we arrived
t about quarter past 12 o'clock lived n
: 222 East Fulton street / had nothing Il
D do with tho firing of the factory did no,
see Brimmer until after the fire broke out
: some one came to Hines and gave tn,
+ alarm, but did Eot see Brimmer that
f night until at the fire /; l was not standing
. at the corner of Lime and Middle talking
. about firing any building; was not Will
, Brimmer and Drachbar when met By
+ officers on that night.
al x: l was at Urich's early in the even
+ ing, but went away and returned shortl,
q before II o'clock, remaining until L
a o'clock was not in the neighborhoo<
b of SchOcnberger's saloon between 10 anG
\ IL o'clock neither Holman nor Storm
q feliz saw me at that time.
\ Edward Sloat testified that he was Il
q the cell with Brimmer since he has bee,
|. in Jail LIE told witness that he, Snyde
and Drachbar burnt the cork factory ant
Q Wertz had nothing to do with it.
D Thirty-eight witnesses were called VIII
y character of the accused was good 70
uo.SS"y OuA OOAov1OAS SAN 0AAO uOhOu q
then closed.
j. George Brimmer was recalled by tn
+ commonwealth and testified that he wa
f at Urich's saloon on this night will
r Drachbar and Wertz, when polic
officer came to arrest Lewis Reidenbach
witness just recalled that to memory
short time ago.
Court adjourned to o'clock this morn
ing.
Wednesday morning.-In the case O
}. Com'th vs.. John Wertz, charged Will
3 arson, q. Frank Eshelman made the open
/, ing speech! for the commonwealth. HI
! was followed by B. F. Davis and N. Bro
J. s;us for the defense, and s. H. Reyno!d
closed Tor the commonwealth shortly afte
12 o'clock. The jury preferred to wal
Until afternoon to be charged aud cour
then adjourned to 81 O'Clock.
Evangelical Appointments.
;, In Philadelphia yesterday at the an
q nual session Of the East Pennsylvani
Evangelical conference, Bishop Bow
=, 9th 81