The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1886-10-02
BILLY THE JOKER"

Read and Mannon Tried for his Killing
The Negro Convicted OF Murder IN the
First Degree. Mannon Acquitted.
The trial of Paul Read, coored, who
was jointly indicted with George Man.
non for the murder OF William Green,
alias g Billy the JOKER" was taken rp
in the Cecil County Court on Tuesday
morning. This case has created great
Interest in Its various stages. On the
18th of March last. in the afternoon,
VIM. Green, alias Billy the JOKER" a
man past the prime of lie, was found ly-
ing in partly insensible condition on the
floor of the cabin of barge which was
grounded on the side of Back creek, on
the suburbs OF Chesapeake City. Green
was one Of the many persons in Cecil
county who sold whisky in violation of
the local-option law, aud was known to
have several hundred dollars in his pos
session. On the forehead and on the
crown of the head were several wounds,
which had evidently been inflicted with
a stonemason's hammer, which was
found in the cabin He fingered until
the Sunday morning following, when be
died. Coroner Gutenberg held an in
quest that afternoon. About thirty wit
nesses were examined, and several slight
clues were found. The stonemason W HON
hnh hal :
panions were suspected, as was also
gypsy named Harry Riley, whose name
Green muttered when asked about the
crime. States Attorney Bratton, promp-
ted by several prominent citizens of
Chesapeake City, aud with the consent
Of the county issioners, put the
agency. While detectives were at work
the citizens OF Elkton, Chesapeake City
and lghOorhuod were surprised to bear
Mat George ii. Mannon, the 10 yeaI-old
son of Alfred Maunou, who farms the
place OF MIR. VIM. Knight, deputy col.
le ctor of the PoIt of Baltimore, in the
first or Ceciltun district. about six miles
from Chesapeake City, had
CONFESSED TO THE STATES ATTORNEY
that he was implicated in the affair, and
was IN Elxton jail, Mannon named Paul
Read, a colored man who had been en-
employed by his father, as the person
who struck the blow. The detective
traced Read to the farm of Mr. Reven
few miles from Annapolis, with whom
he had hired as farm hand. Read
named Junius Gotfney, a muatto, also
employed by Mr.. Manuon, as the person
who had plotted the murder in the first
place and afterwards stole the money
which had been obtained by Read and
Mannon from Green. Read and Mannon
were jointly indicted for the MURDER.
Maunon's counsel desired that he should
be tried separately. The cases were as
signed for Tuesday morning.
THE CASE OF READ
was first taken mp. He is short, thick.set
and very dark, He is % years of age,
native of Charlotte county, Virginia,
aud has been in Cecil county about six
years. He was arraigned and pleaded
not guilty. HIS counsel, Il. &. Thackerv,
elected that he be tried by the court.
Ex-State's Attorney Chas. G. Crothers
was appointed by the court to assist
states Attorney Brattou in both cases.
VIM. f. Barwick, young man, resid.
ing i'll Chesapeake City, testified to hav
ing found, on the afternoon of Thursday,
March Is, Green lying on the floor of his
cabin badly wounded, lying on his face,
which WAS covered with blood. He was
unable to talk, although he appeared t.
make an endeavor to do SO. The cabin
is very small, and probably only sevel
by nine feet The mason's hammer
shown him in the courtroom looked like
the one found in the cabin with bloot
Oh it.
DIR. karsner, a physician, of Chesa
peake City, who attended the injured
man, testified that when he Was called T.,
see Green he was nearly dead from ex
posture and loss OF blood. They foun,
the hammer on the berth, partly con
cealed by the bed coverings. There wer,
nine Wounds on Gieens head, the mos
serious being back OF the crown, wher,
his skull was fractured. HIS jaw bon,
Was broken, aid there were scratches OF
his neck which were evidently made b,
finger nails. In order to get answer from
Green he had TO be spoken TO loudly o
shaken before being asked. Then hi
answers were disconnected. He said
few words and then would be silent 70
while, aud then speak again. The mos
he got from him on Thursday, when ask
ed who hurt him, was that he didn'