Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-05-27
A Trial for Libel.

A Trial for Libel.
Mr.. JOHN O. THOMPSON, OF "THK SUNDAY
CHRONICLE" THE DEFENDANT.
To-day, In the Criminal Court Judge MacAr-
thur, the case Of John q, Thompson. editor and
libel was placed on trial. Mr.. Worthington
appeared for the government, and Mr.. Christy
ior the defendant The charge is based on the
iouowing article, published March AID, 1885:
SAD CASE OF LUSAcY.
The acQuaintances OF an elderly woman named
Ingerso Of this city, deploring her mental con-
dition which is generally supposed be that of yra-
waited insanity. Her is said have died insane.
and her wild eccentrcities the greatest appre-
taken 10 place her in an asylum for treatment
The government proved the connection OF Mr..
thompson with the paper, and read the article
10 the jury, and rested the case.
The defense demurred. claiming that the evil
Gence did not show the responsibility Of Mr..
The court held that the testimony was suffi
Gent O. ior the jury ~ pass upon. and overruied
The defendant then called Robert r. Semmes,
who testified that ne was employed the
paper at the time, and Mr.. Thompson was then
Sohnned 10 his bed from stab received on
March 9th. Mr.. Cowell was then in charge of
the paper. He remembered the article, but did
not know whose handwriting II was in. On
uscript, aud stated that it was sent up late at
night, and 1t was understood that copy thus
SEM up was 10 be printed II there was room for
II. Don't think that Mr.. Thompson WAS at the
time furnishing any matter for the paper
Chas. b. Moulton, u compositor, testified that
me manuscript Was not in the handwriting OF
Mr.. Thompson.
Mr. THOMPSON TESTIFIED IN HIS OWN BE
that the hrm was composed Of Mrs. Thompson
and himself and q silent partner In the west,
whose name he did not wish to disclose At
the time he was under medical treatment, hav-
ing been stabbed on March 9Th, aud for two or
three weeks he was SD Frustrated that he did
not look at paper. He was unable 10 appear
against his assailants Till the day he was ar
rested for this article.
On cross-examiDation witness stated that he
saw the article and made some inquiry as 10
the authorship. Witness could not recognize
the handwriting OF the article; IL was not in the
handwriting OF Mr.. Cowell. Witness roomed
with Mrs. Ingersoll, and a lady employ ed at the
ONCE also roomed there.
TESTIMONY IN REBUTTAL.
This closed the testimony for the defense and
Mrs. Henrietta C.Ingersoll was called in rebuttal.
she testified that there were number OF visitors
10 Mr.: Thompsonrs room about that time. She
mad given Mr. Thompson notice To leave the
rooms four weeks before aud their relations
were decidedly unpleasant.
MISS Fanny II. Ingersoll testified that about
the Tune OF the publication Mr.. Thompson was
In communication with the employes OF the
Office. The relations between Mr.. THOMPSON
ana her mother were UNPLEASANT Witness re-
ceived letter dated March roth from Mr..
thompson. An extract was read: From the
earnest descriptive remarks OF Capt. Prince OF
tue Police Court, L would suppose your mother
capable oil any inhumanity; whether she prefers
To incur most unenylaOle publicity, which H.
sure TO come, II she persists IA her CIV ii-Ini aided
course Is not 50 clear"
AvERDICT OF GUILTY
The court charged the jury briefly, aud in a
few moments they returned verdict oil guilty.
Notice was given oi a motion for A new trial.
CoRRUPTING SCHooLBoYs.--This morning De-
.fa. al
coiored boy about l6 years Of age, and lucNea
MN up at the second precinct station, charged
Win exhibiting aud Offering for saio obscene
pictures 10 the children at the Denisou school
ouIidlng, on > street, between 18th and Ii Ia
streets northwest. He admitted his guilt, and
SAID ne dld not think the boys would give him
away. he is held Tor "a hearing ia the Police
statute which prescribes penalty oi not more
than tive years and u fine oi 81 900.
QUEENSTOWN CATTLE MARKEr.-197 cattle
on the market yesterday and 119 sold To
butchers, as follows: Best sold from "a. 10 &C.
per TO-; good sold from 5la to 5i2c. per TO-; me-
1ium sold from A TO Sc per h.: common from
10 4tac per H.; rs lett over. 2o2o sheep and
lambs ON the market; 12l2 sold to butchers as
follows: Old sheep sold from TO &c. per
TO-; lambs sold from 10 1l2c. per H.: 52o
shipped 10 eastern markets; 2s6 lett over. "a
cows and calves sold from $40 to S45 each
Market Tor good cattle and sneep was good:
market Tor common cattle and sheep was Gull
Gen. Spinner DangerOuslv III