Milford chronicle., 1883-07-06
THE COLLISGWOOD P. HALLETT CASE BE
FORE TIE COURTS AND BEFORE Tbs
PEOPLE.

f The adjourned Court of Over anc
Terminer for Sussex county met al
3 O'Clock p. m. on Thursday of last
week for the purpose of learning the
report of the Medical Commission
appointed to inquire into the mental
condition of Collingwood P. Hallett.
Chief Justice Comegys and Judge
Wooten were on the bench, but
Judges Honston and Wales were alb
sent.
The following declaration of Sher-
if WOoten was handed to the Court
and placed on file:
TO The Honorable the Judges Of The Court of
/ oyer and Terminer nolo sitting at Ge0rgeto,Ca.
in and for SUSSEX County:
The undersigned, Sheriff of Sussex
county, respectfully represents to your
Honor, that on Sunday night the 18th
of the present month of June Colling-
wood p. Hallett, prisoner who had
been convicted of murder in the first
degree at the October term of Court.
A. D., 1882, escaped from prison and
has not been found. The Governor
offered a reward of $500 and l offered
5000. This reward we made public
through the newspapers of the State.
ISAAC WOoTEN, Sheriff
June 2s, 1883.
Without reference to the report of
the Medical Commission the Court
adjourned, for lack of a quorum, till
the second Monday in October, the
session having occupied less than
half an hour.
Of this case the journal of last
week says:
The assembling Of the Court on
Thursday was decidedly tame affair. |
Chief Justice COmegys was the only
member of the Bench putting in an
appearance save Judge Wooten who
resides here. The report of the Com
mission In lunacy was not opened, and
so far as the Journal can learn the three
physicians making the report DENY
having given any information to any
one as to its contents. The Sheriff
made written statement to the efrsct
that the prisoner had escaped. which
was ordered, filed and the Court wss
adjourned until the regular October
term. This is without doubt the end
not of CollingwoOd P. Hallett. for
be may live to the terror of some other
communiiy-but of his figuring in Sus-
sex county.
How Hallett was aided in his escape
from Jail, and the route of his depar-
lure from Georgetown, must for a long
Time, # not for always, remain matters
Of conjecture. That our old isil il
rattle trap" is admitted, that a con- {
1emned prisoner who has been under 1
he shadow of death himself has too
many privileges and enjoys too great ,
we know, but the CHRONI- :
lie Is without followers here when il !
ays: Halletps gold assisted him to
'scape, (Mr. John Hallett has repeat
ID y said that he gave 81 900 to the
nan That was his brother COllingwoOd. '
EDS. CHN0NICLE.) Several told the +
,herit this and tntimated that he was Il
here IN Milford on the l7th) assist r
ng Hallett to get away by not attempt- d
ny to capture him. I,
In view Of recent developments in i.
rlminal affairs, 1t Is evident that pub =
ic sentiment in Delaware is ripe for
be eabOlishment of capital punishment.
)isrespect for law is TO be deplored in d
ny people, and where it exists in q d.
lvilized community it should be re- Fl
loved by the repeal Of the particular
Nv that Is held in contempt. It is IL
etter to have no law than to have law rt
nat is in opposition to the wishes and 4,
'ntiments Of the public. Better to :,
.peal law than have its ends defeat =
with impunity. CO
The Hallett case proves beyond ~
oubt that the people of Delaware are al
)posed to capital punishment There tel
ere very few people outside of Mil ne
ri who did dot heave a sigh Of relief IN
hen it was known that the prisoner as
I'd escaped Jail, and very few of those On
hom we have heard talk on the SUBJ "a
et want him brought back. 1t IS bet u,
r that all murderers should he i'm -
isoned for life than that few friend ye
ls and weak ones should be hanged, lor
d others who have friends to aid the
em should 60 fres, and thepublie re-