The Wilmingtonian., 1886-06-05
A NOTABLE TRIAL.
The Defamers and Traducers of william
H. Pierson nut to Shame.

The Deramers and Traducers of william
Ill. Plerson put TO Shame.
The trial Of Pierson versus the Htpal Life
Insurance Company was among the most i'm
portant ever engaging the attention OF the
Superior Court of this County.
A brief resume of the case is simply this
Some four years ago building and
its contents, belonging TO Mr.. w. H.Pierson
was consumed, and the 4Etna Fire Insurance
Co., in harmony with its naive instincts,
Immediately cast al ound for some ingenious
pretext whereby it might squirm out Of
meeting its legitimate demands.
A detective at once was put to work to
ascertain if there could be found any dis
charged employees who could be suborned OF
otherwise subordinated to the interests of
the Insurance Company. Whilst looking up
a half way plausible pretext for defrauding
Mr.. Pierson cut of his just deserts, George W.
and his sister Mrs. Holiday conveniently
came to the surface breathing vengeance
most dire against their brother William.
The "Etna" argued that Mr.. William Fl.
Pierson being of sensitive and retiring ma
.uie he would elect to settle his claims upon
almost any basis rather than 60 into court
with brother and sister arrayed against him.
But MI. Piers claimed that he had rights to
maintain and as the "Htna" had imputed to
him a most outrageous offense be would
compel that Insurance Company to sustain
that charge before a jury of his fellow cit-
zeus. The "Etna Insurance. Company" had
aspersed the reputation of Mr.. Pierson aud
he must either vindicate his manhood or be
forever disgraced and dishoi oied
This was the issue, and Messls. Bird and
Bradford, the attorneys of the Insurance Co.,
declared in open Court that they laid the
crime of arson at the door of the plaintiff in
this suit. Mr. Bradford stated in opening the
case for the defense ''that arson,arson is tile
plea of his clients, " and although the name
Of Mr.. Pierson was coupled with that of ar
son the defense did not adduce one scin-
tilla of evidence to substaptiate their theories
Although Messrs. Bird and Bradford heral-
ded to the world that the plaintiff was
guilty of arson yet they failed even remotely
to connect him with the crime which
they SO lavshingly imputed to him.
This case was tried before jury the like Of
which was never before seen in New Castle
County. Tie judges, the members Of the
bar and the entire assemblage with one ac-
cord, declared that thele was not upon that
jury one single man who was even approach
able much les, ,chasable. Not only was
it an honest jury but every man upon that
Jury po sesstd he ability 10 weigh the evi-
dence and also TO puncture the sophistcal
pleading Of tile attorneys for the defense.
Furthermore it was severely practical
Jury and for this reason tho testimony of
most Oh Tue MlllCssCa lOi lhS hSiShSo h"S
not taken at its face value
The auimus of George w. and bis sister
Mrs. Holiday as they hissed their little
pieces through their closed teeth was too
apparent 10 have any effect upon twelve
temperate and impartial men. When these
parties have any domestic discrepancies
to yeutilate against their brother it will en-
hance their reputation to settle said unpleas-
antuess in the ring ON tue a Ia Sullivan style.
A court room is not the place to settle family
jars.
The manner and the methods by which the
Piersou case was settled establishes beyond
question tue fact that honorable living coun s
for something in Delaware. Mr.. William
H. Pierson has been going in and out of this
social and business community for full
score Of years, known and respected Of all
men, yet the "H1tna Insurance Company"
comes to this community and asks it to be
lieye that this man who has bceu strong in
the confidence of his fellow cit zens for a
quarter of a century has all of a sudden been
transfol med into house-burEer-1ay more,
the ".fIUna" asks this community TO believe
that father who is prond Of his boys-that
father who is strong in the affection Of his
boys, would school those boys not only TO a
systematic course OF wholesale lying but
would also demand Of those boys that per.
jury be added 10 their lying.
This is the charge that the "Htua" essayed
to bring against Mr.. William H. Pierson
The 'Etna"in open conrt to get rid Of paying
its honest due, charged Mr.. Pierson with
boosting his boys TO hell. Think of il
TIE charge laid to Mr.. Piefson by the "Et
na'' last week may be laid at your doIrs to-
morrow !
Ifaman who has his property insured in th
"Etna." for any reason shall visit said pro
perty after blsiness hours lie is liable to b.
confronted with the charge OF arson, it, cas-
the property be fired within twelve &