davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-02-14

did that OF Judge Houston, which he
,ha, he regretted that such law cou'd
not be enacted.
William g. Whiteley, Esq moved tbs at
the sheriff's sale OF the property OF
Joseph and George Pritchari, which was
held at Newark on the 25th OF Jaunsry
bs set aside, on account of the price
realized not being sufficient, and q number
prevented attending on account of tbe
stormy weather. The farm brought So, $40.
Several witnesses were examined to
prove that the farm was worth a. least
sS, 900, and that that amount had bsen
offered for it.
Benjamin Nields, ED, resisted the
application, and produced several wit
nesses to show that the farm had been
allowed TO go down, aud was 10 bad
condition, and would not under any sir.
cumstsnces have brought the amount
claimed.
On motion of Henry G. Conrad, Esq
in behalf of the defendant with the CON
sent Of William G. Sprusnoe, Esq, repre-
senting the plaintiff the judgment in the
case of Sarah S. England versus John
Davis was oct aside.
The jury in the case OF the State vs.
the b. & P. Railroad Company, having
returned, that case was resumed. + II,
Robinson took the stand aud testified
that he had accompanied the jury, and
gave the following measurements, made in
the presence of the jury: Between
fences, 40 feet a inches; between ditches,
20, q, 241, q, 80, 25t, 2os 19t, 17b and
10 feet. The latter width was for q dis
tanoe Of about 100 feet.
The chief justice explained to the jury
what legally Constituted distractions TO
a highway. While the public is entitled
to the use of full width of the highway,
the acts OF Assembly authorize railroad
companies to erect such structures as do
not interfere with the usual necessary
transit.
The jury retired, and in few minutes
returned with verdict of guilty.
The attention of the court was called
to the resolutions passed at the bar meet
ing, in reference to the death of Judge
Bradford, by Attorney y-General Gray, in
an eloquent and feeling speech.
Chief Justice Comegys responded, and
ordered that the resolutions should be
spread on the minutes.
Mr.. Spruauce read the resolutions
passed at q law meet ng on the death of
John Rodney, Esq, and Chief Justice
Comegys and Judge Wootten both re
sponded In fitting manner.
A few minutes after l o'clock court
adjourned until the next regular term.
Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-02-14
NARROW ESCAPE.
A Fearful Accident at the Railroad
:. Bridge Thursday Ayerted by
mn Enyfnaar anA EkrtsIua Ta,,.tar

A Fearful Accident at the Railroad
e Bridge Thursday Averted by
an Engineer and Bridge Tender.
An accident occurred at the F., W. &
B. railroad bridge Thursdsy, which
narrowly escaped being fatal and disas-
trous one. The draw was opened by the
bridge tender just before the 7 so north
hound Wilmington express was due, in
order to allow the tug Claudia to
pass through with schooner she
she was drawing. The signals we're set
for the expected train, but owing to some
reason, perhaps the fog, the engineer did
not see them and, when the train turned
the curve at Fourth street, going at a
tolersbly fast rste, the draw was turned
off.
When the condition Of things were dis.
covered the engineer shut down brakes
and reversed his engine. The bridge
tender Immediately commenced to turn on
the draw, and both men worked with all
their strength TO prevent disaster. The
engine could not be entirely stopped and
its front wheels had just left the track
when The draw was sufficiently turned
back for 1t to run on the ties which il
did to its full length.
The engineer and fireman both kept
their places on the engine which was
number A, and did all in their power tc
prevent 1t leaving the termination OF tht
main track st the brige II the bridge
tender had not turned the draw back q.
soon as he did the engine and severa
cars would doubtless have plunged into
the creek.
1t took about three. quarters of an houl
to get the engine from the ties on TO tn,
bridge track and the fast south bou nc
mail due here at s. Is was in consequence
an hour late. The levers and slides o
the bridge were badly damaged.
Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-02-14
HENRY BELL MURDERED.
The Statement of n Delaware MAJ
Who Saw the Attack.

Henry Bell Of Pnilsdelphia, received
injuries on the night of the 26th of
December last which resulted in his death
shortly after. Although the appearance
of the wounds led to the general belief
that Mr.. Bell had been foully dealt with,
there was no direct evidence that he had
been murderously assaulted, and the
decision OF coroper's jury that the death
was probably caused by collision with a
snow pillow on one Of the street railways
of Philadelphia was commonly accepted
as final. 1t now transp;res that a man,
beyond doubt Henry Bell, was waylsyed
and assaulted by two men near Eighth
and Spruce streets, with what ia sup
posed to have been blsckjscks, upon the
night mentioned.
The. Philadelphia Record OF Thursday
prints the sffi iavit OF S. Raymond
Choate of Newark, who saw the assault but
had said nothing about 1t for
fear OF being locked up as a
witness and believing that the sssall-
ants would be brought to justice through
other testimony. After the verdict OF the
ooroner's jury he became so depressed in
spirits by the memory Of what he had
seen and the consciousness that he was
concesling evidence that might reveal the
murderers of Bell and he was thus lead to
communicate his knowledge OF the as.
sault,
Mr.. Choate's reoollections OF the events
Of the night are very clear, and the form
and features OF one of the assailsnts
seems to have been indelibly impressed
upon his mind.
For three weeks he was taken through
through the various dives and thieves
resorts Of Philadelphia, in the hope ths,
he might recognize one or both of the
murderers, and the search is still being
energetically pushed.
Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-02-14
ITEMS OF LOCAL INTEREST
N iRR0U ESCAPE FROM A RAIL
RU1D ACCIDENT.
Released and Rear ested-Siim Jim
Leuguisbes Again In New Castle
ON the Charge of burglary.

The court Friday afternoon notified
| q. Grnbb, q counsel for George S
Hagsny, Jr, sias Slim Jim, who ha.
been In jail for some time on the oharg.
Of being a professional thief, that his
motion to quash the indictment, argued
at the last term OF court, was granted.
An order Tor the priioner's release was
accordingly granted.
AS Slim Jim left the cells in the base
ment of the court house and entered the
main corridor of the building he was met
by Chief Hawkins and Sergeant Hatton.
The chief Immediately arrested Hagspy
on 8 warrant and took him to police
station and locked him up in the cells.
Friday evening he WAS arrsigned before
Judge Cummius on the charge Of having
robbed the store Of William M. Kennard
& Co. Of $500 worth OF silk on the night
Of April 2S.L or the morning OF April
29th, 1880.
Mr.. Kennard testified that on January
24th, 1883, he received a letter from
Hagary dated Philadelphia, saying: 81
wish to ses You on matter OF import
ance concerning yourself. Come to Phila-
delphia as soon as you receive this, II
possible, or write and tell me when you
can come. Make 1t not later than Satur.
day. Remem Der, Mr.. Keunsrd, 1t is to
your interest to see me at the earliest
date possible" He went to Philadel-
phia and saw Slim Jim, who took him in
a saloon ordered beer and then seemingly
without any reason confessed to having
ooncocted the plan for robbing the store.
He said the thieves took their booty to
Water street, entered Chick Foy's place
and went to New York on an early morn
ing express.
Hagsny asked Mr.. Kennard If he
(Hsgany) ever confessed robbing the
store, and the witness replied emphati-
cally in the affirmative.
Judge Cnmmins held the prisoner in
~, 600 for court to answer the charge.
From the dock Hsgsny accused Mr..
KenDard of perjury and accused Judge
Cummins of knowing the witness had
perjured himself.
On January 27th, 1888, Mr.. Ksnnard
received letter from Sim Jim, saying !:
"flease send word by bearer where can
see you at once. | have just come from
Philadelphia for the purpose of seeing
you. | have received no word of aIy
kind from you since | saw you in Phila-
delphia." Hagany called at Mr.. Ken
nard's house on the same evening, but
the latter denied him an interview and
shut the door in his lace. ..
The prisoner was taken back to New
Castle Saturday.
Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-02-14
"A WHOLE FAMILY POISONED.
A Painting Mother ana Babe and a
Stricken Father Who C0uId DO
NOthtng to Help Thorn.


Nothing TO Help Tbom.
Patrick Fsrrsn is the name Of re-
spectacle and well-to-do Irishman, who
lives with his family, consisting OF wife,
two children. and nephew, at 1913
Windsor street, between Jefferson and
Madison, running from Sixth to Ninth.
The nephew is about IL years old.
One Of the children is baby only IA
months old and the other years old.
Farran himself is not more than 80 years
old and his wife perhaps two years
younger.
Yesterday morning week, at 3 O'Clock,
the whole family swoke suffering with
horrible feelings which have since been
pronounced poisoning.
-. A GAZETTE reporter visited the
stricken family Thursday and found
them much improved, the mother being
able to resume her housework. The
story of the affair, as told by Farran, ID
pitiable. He states that about
3 O'Clock yesterday morning week he
vas awakened by his wife
who told him that she felt very weak and
sick, and thought she was going to faint.
He jumped ont OF bed to get her water
when he reeled and fell to the door
like one shot. He called to his
nephew who slept near by and
in front of the stairway, "Your aunt is
dying, come quick" The little fellow
jumped out of bed and fell ead-foremost
toward the stairs IN a isintiug condition,
and would have gone TO the bottom had
not his foot been caught by his PROSTATE
uncle. Mrs Fsrian, by extreme effort,
managed to get ont of bed, but fell in a
dead faint TO the floor.
The room WAS sitting and Farran
though in great pain, saw that water
must be gotten and the window must be
raised. With all his strength he started
to crawl to the window, distance of
sbout feet from where he lay. Bs.ore
hs reached it he tainted twice.
Upon raising the window, which was
an easy matter, he fell back upon the
floor exhausted and there lay until s
O'Clock this morning, when he called from
the window to neighbors for assistance.
DR.. Smith Cooper was summoned, and
when lie arrived, the occupants of the
house were seizsd with vomiting. This
continued for some time and when it
passed of it left the patients in an ex-
tremely weak condition.
=, DR.. Cooper stated to GAZETTE
reporter that the condition of Farran Was
worse than any of the others, and he
thought at one time that his sickness
would prove fatal. The doctor pro-
nounces it a case of poisoning.
The only thing from which it could
have arisen was some stewed peaches
eaten by the family before going to bed.
Here the matter rests and there seems to
be nc probability Of the mystery being
solved. All the children are in fair way
to recover.
Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-02-14
kDwABD BRING II UKsT DEAD.
The End OF Long and CsefuI
Career-His Death Friday Morning
from Paralysis.

|
Bd~srd Biii ghurst died at his home
No. sos West street, after few
days. illness, about 8 80 o'clock Friday
morning. Mr.. Bringhutst was stricken
with paralysis on Tuesday night week
and never rallied from the shock, &,
gradually sinking ever since. Up to
the time OF his attack with paralysis
he bad bsen in his usual health and was
in attendance at court on Tuesday last as
witness in the case of State va. the
Baltimore Philadelphia railroad but
the case was not called until after be had
been fatally stricken with the psralys sis.
Edward Bringhurst was one Of the best
known men Of his generation in this city.
He was born here in 1909, his father
bsing Joseph Bringhurst who for many
years carried on the drug business on
Market street, two doors below Fourth,
and his mother was a Miss Deborah
Ferris. Eiward Bringhurst attended
the schools OF this city in his
early boyhood, and after receiving
a very limited education he learned
the drug business with his father
and afterwards returned to school where
he completed his studies. In 1880 he
established himself in the drug trade at
the northwest corner of Sixth and Market
streets. In business he was most sue
cessful, and builded himself large an
profitable trade. He continued actively in
the business for 27 years, retiring in
1857, when he was succeeded by his two
sons and 2 James Belt, Who conducted
the affairs OF the large house under the
firm name of K Bringhurst & Co. The
last named member of the firm succeeded
to the proprietorship in 1877.
Up)n retiring from the drug trade, Mr..
Bringburst abstained from taking an
active part in business atf iirs, and has
since lived in retirement dividing his
time between his summer residence Just
outside OF this city and his home here.
He devoted much OF his attention to
benevolences and charities, and ex-
peuded largely of his income in help
ing the deserving poor. His aims were
given quietly and few were aware of the
number of persons in need or distress
that has been relieved through his muni-
fence In humane societies he was an
ardent worker, WAS president of the
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals and a member OF the Society
for the Prevention OF Cruelty to Children.
He was member of the board of direo-
tors OF the Delaware Bank, also Of the
New Castle county Mutal Fire Insurance
Company, president OF the Wilmington
Fountain Society, and trustee OF the
Shipley estate, and held other offices of
public trust.
Mr.. Bringhurst was a member Of the
Friends Meeting at Fourth and West
atreets, and was regular attendant of
its sittings. He leaves wife and one
son, Edward Bringhurst, Jr. The funeral
took nlana ON Monday mnrninp
Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-02-14
A Tenants Narrow Escape.

Rarly Saturday moiniug Charles
Kellner, who with his w,ts occupies the
second floor OF the honse at No. s East
Fifth street, was awakened by Doise Ia.
the back yard. Going to the window, he
saw man preparing to climb through
the back window, He asked him who he
was "Thst's all right" WAS the reply,
aud Kellner was just about t. uss his re.
vOlver, when his wife sprang from bed
and told him that this intruder was the
new tenant of the thiId floor, aud she
(Mrs. Killner) had neglected to leave the
door open tor him Mrs. Kelluer' q
presence of mind doubtless prevented q
homicide.
Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-02-14
ASKING For A HESI,ITE.
Petitions Praying That Lewis r.
Lists Life May be Spared.

The following i'd copy of the petitions
put in circulation for signatures this
morning, which ask that Lewis +. List
under sentence OF death for the killing of
George b. Taylor may be respited from
hanging and imprisoned for life
To HIS ExcELLENcY, CHARLES C.STocKLEY,
GOVERNOR OF DELAwARE-S1R The under
signed, your petitioners, residents of New
Castle county, respectfully represent. That
at the November term, 1888. of the court of
oyer and terminer for New Castle county,
Lewis List, aged 10 years. and Lewis F. List,
his son, aged % years, were Jointly indicted
and tried for the murder Of George b.
Taylor. Lewis List was convicted of murder
of the second degree, and was sentenced to
imprisonment for life. Lewis f. List was
convicted OF murder of the first degree, and
sentenced to be hanged on the l4th day of
March, A. ID 1884.
Your petitioners believe that the penalty
inflicted upor Lewis +. List is greater than
the circumstances Of the case warranted for
the following reasons:
First. The conviction OF the son of murder
in the first degree, was the result OF preju-
dice and popular feeling against the father,
Lewis List, who was jointly tried with his
son, and whose reputation so weighed down
and burdoned the case of his son that, when
taken with the fathers statements and con
duct at the time of the killing, rendered it
almost impossible to extend to the sou fair
and impartial trial.
Second. From the circumstances of the
killing, the fact that Lewis +. List did not
know. and had never heard OF George b.
Taylor before he (laylor) after threats that
he was going to Lists house "to give Lew
List damned good licking'-went to young
Lists house, calling him out and beating him
at his own front door ; the passion and en-.
ragged state OF young Lists mind after such a
beating as he had received at the hands Of
Iaylor-the presence OF the father, Lewis
List, commanding his son. while under such
intense excitement, to shoot the deceased,
and the many other extenuating circum-
stances of the case, force your peti.
tioners to the feeling aud belief that
the demands Of justice would be fully satisfied
by the imprisonment for life OF LewiF f.
List the son, that judicial murder would
be committed i'll the forletlng of his life for
a crime committed by him while under the
direction and control of his father, Lewis
List, who pays Il less penalty for Il greater
guilt than that of his son in it, and which
was committed by the son while in great pain
aud passion, produced by the beating inflicted
by the aggrossor, and unknown man, Taylor.
Your petitioners, therefore, pray your
eXcellency to respite the said Lewis +. List
from tie sentence Of death, to that of I'M
prisonment for ninety nine years; or to such
time as to your eXcelencv may seem meet.
And they will ever pray, &c.
Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-02-14
THE B. a. ID. II. X. *.
A Polite But DepIOrabIy Ignorant
superintendent.
Lhestertown Trans. rip..

Chestertown Transcript.
A short time back, the name of the
Kent County, Smyrna g. Delaware Bay
railroad, was suddenly changed to Balti-
more & Delaware Bay railroad. Since
the change Of name there has been con.
siderable speculation as to the cause Of
the change, and as to what the change
possibly indicates. One rumor has il
that the Baltimore & Ohio has got posses
sion of the road. ALI rumors agree in
saying that the road is to be completed to
the Chesapeake bay and ia to connect
Baltimore with come indefinite point, but
whether the route be- intended to lead
to New York or whether to form a
short summer excursion line to Cape
May. rumor saith not. Though there ia
much talk, it is yet impossible to find
any body who knows anything about the
matter. Transcript representative
called on Mr.. B, F Fleming. the Euperin-
tendert OF the Baltimore & Delaware bay
road. He was found iu his newly
papered office under tine Voshell House,
and was in his usual state Of good spirits.
Said the Transcript reporter: "Mr.
Flemin0, there is rumor that he Kent
County railroad is soon TO be built to the
the report ?"
81 really don't know" said Mr.. Flem-
ing, shutting his left eye and calmly
placing some papers in neat pile on his
desk.
what is the meaning of changing the
name OF the road to Baltimore & Della
ware Bay ~ asked the Transcript re-.
porter.
"Indeed, can't say" said Mr.. Fleul-
ing, throwing his head back and gazing
admirinsly on his newly .papered ceiling.
"Have you no information whatever
concerning the matter a'
"Not the least" said the superinten-
dent, Withdrawing his gszs from the
ceiling and resting it upon dilspidated
chair, which is his second best piece Of
furniture.
"Whom does the road belong to now,
Mr. Flemingf"
''lndeed, can't say, l don't know
anything about it,"
"WhO was responsible for the change
in name"
"Thst's too hard a question fo- me, {"
said the superintendent, shutting his
right eye firmly, and fixing the left
blsndly on the reporter.
"Suppose the road is completed to the
bay, what effect will that have on the
lime trade 2" asked the reporter, trying
to fnd one question upon which Mr..
Fleming could give information.
At this question the superintendent
crossed his legs, shut both eyes, and re
piled that she did not think the compile,
tion OF the road to the bay would have
y i'll effect upon the lime trade"
Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-02-14
Money and Silverware stolen.

A man called at the office Of DR.. Nese
dank, at Ninth and Washington streets,
Friday and inquired for the dcc,or.
Being told that the physician was ont,
and that he could leave his order on the
slate, the onller stated that he desired to
write note, and was shown into tie
office and left alone. A servant, who
entered the Office shortly afterwards, dis.
covered that the man had departed, and
that be had taken with him about So in
money, 10 teaspoons, two dessert spoons,
three napkin rings and butter knife.
Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-02-14
INDIAN RIYER.
Some Personal and Political News
from Marlborough.

spe ;ial Correspondence oI oszslte and journal.
NEAR MILLsBoRoU0H, Feb Il am moi
a subsorib 81 to your paper but bny and
read II often and thought perhaps you
would publish few items from this
place, though | am no letter writer.
The State Treasurer, John Nj. Marston,
lives near this place. He had the
misfortune to lose his wife on Saturday
week last, as previously reported.
State Senator K w Houston also lives
in this town, and is highly respected
at the last session of the Legislature he
had bill passed to build new school
house, which has since been nearly com
pleted, and we can boast OF as nice
school house as any town in the county
for the money, about $2,400, aud We are
much indebted to Senator Houston for
the same. By the way Senator Houston
has a step. daughter who will bs married
tomorrow morning to Nj. W. Jones of
Brooklyn; this will be one OF the grandest
weddings which has ever occurred in this
part of Sussex county. Evergrsens will
decorate the house, and many valuable
presents will be received.
George 7, Dodd, who is an application
the Office of the clerk OF the peace, also
resides here. He was sergeant al arms
of the lower houee in 1879 and ia = strong
friend of Governor Slockley. He fought
hard at the hundred committee meeting
for Stooklsy delegation, but WAS unsue
cessful. Mr.. Dodd has some strong
friends here who will do all they can for
him he is also poor man and, should
he receive the appointment, the poor
olass of voters will feel greatly en-.
oouraged.
He was born here, in 1889, and has
always lived here and the governor has
known him since the days of his boy
hood. john Z. Martin Of Seatord and
Nathaniel W. Hickman of Lewis, are his
competitors ior the appointment
Millsborough as about 800 inhsb-
itsnts, IL stores, one P. K Church, one
M. 4. Church, two blacksmith shops, one
box factory carried on by Perry, Houston
& Co., who employ 10 to Is hands ole
undertaken and one harness maker. 1t
is situated at the head OF Indian river.
During Christmas week one fisherman
caught about 20, 900 pounds of rock and
perch, which were shipped to New York
and Philadelphia markets, and since
then several Thousand more have been
caught. Large lots Of soft crabs are sent
to the same markets, during the summer
season, and bring big prices.
At the last session of Congress Indian
River was allowed 10000, which was
worked out last summer and has made
quite an improvement. This session we
expect another appropriation and the
engineers report asks for about $29 900,
which he thinks will give us feet OF
water. II 30, We shall be happy.
Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-02-14
The Rushing Waters.

The Brandy wine rose to considerable
hight Wednesday week, overhowing it's
banks in several places. The race on the
south side of the creek was slightly
washed and damaged, and consider able
portion of the William Lea & Sons
Compapy's race on the north side ia
washed away. The exact amount Of
damage done to the race banks is not
known. The water rushed msdly over
the dam breasts on the stream during the
morning but is subsiding rapidly this
afternoon and no further damage ia an
ticipated.
Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-02-14
First Delaware Battle Flags.

At a special meeting Of the Historical
Socisty held Tuesday week, the old battle
flags Of the First Delaware Regiment were
formally presented to ii. Ex limited
States Marshal John M. Dunn, Postmaster
William Y. Swiggett, Adiutsnt General
]. Parke PostIes, Major John T. Dent,
Captain Thomas B. Hi1sr, Alfred Cav.
tbrop and W W. Simpson were present
as a committee from the First Delaware
Association. The flags were presented
by Mr.. Dunn and received by Mayor
Wales,