Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-27
A Fatal Stab in the Left Breast.


TENT TO KILL WILLIAM PIERsoN.
In the Criminal Court, Judge Montgomery,
James Jackson, stout-built colored man, was
placed on trial yesterday. The trial was re-
sumed this morning. jackson, who is repre-
sented by Mr.. I. c. Taylor, is under an indict-
ment for assault and battery with intent to kill
VIM. Pierson August 20. 1887 by stabbing him
in the left breast. The ARRAY took place near
the corner Of 9Th and streets northwest, and
originated from a remark made by the de-
ceased as to some one treading on his heels.
Blows followed, and it is alleged that Jackson
cut Pierson with a dirk knife. No one testified
to seeing the cutting. The blade of the knife
is about six inches long and Pierson was struck
with such force that the handle of the weapon
was pulled off in the attempt to withdraw il.
leaving the blade almost buried in the left
breast, from which it was Withdrawn by DIR. B.
b. Williams by using forceps. Pierson was
sent to the hospital, and in June last was taken
by his sister to his mothers house in Virginia,
where he died in September last. thirteen
months after the stabbing. The death not hav-
ing occurred within year and day Of the
stabbing, Jackson could not be indicted for
murder and is therefore on trial for assault
with intent to kill. The Government this
morning proposed to put in evidence the dying
declaration of Pierson. The defense objected
on the ground that such declarations can only
be used in cases Of homicide, and the objection
WAS bustaincu. SklQm0re teetlne0 TO
arresting Jackson the following morning, and
to finding the handle of the knife in an alley
within seven or eight feet Of his door. The
case was submitted with no testimony for the
defendant or argument, and the jury retired
after brief charge by the court to the effect
that they could find one of three verdicts-
guilty as indicted, guilty Of assault, or not
guilty.
verdict Of guilty as indicted was rendered.
~
Bold Oyster Pirates.
THE CHESAPEAKE BAY DREDaERs HAVE 1T AL
THEIR OWN WAY.
A Baltimore special says: The oyster pirates
on the Little Choptank river have not only put
to flight the vessels of the state navy, but they
have SO cowed their crews that many Of the
men have resigned, and though every induce
ment has been offered none others could be
found who would take their places The
.'tonguers," whose grounds are thus unpro-
tected, are the greatest sufferers. They are
afraid to go to work and some are Offering to
dispose of their canoes for trifiing amounts
Many Of them, who were at work on the river
during the last fight, were shot at repeatedly
and compelled to lie fat in their boats to es-
cape the bullets.
The dredgers are armed and supplied with
plenty of ammunition. They have Joined
forces and openly defy the state authorities
The river of James island ON which are the
Dest Oyster GROUNDS In the state, is dotted with
large bay vessels and the Eastern Shore men
fear that before they are driven off by the
state they will have destroyed the beds. The
pirates are taking no chances. They work sys-
tematically and their forces are 80 distributed
that in case of attack they can either separate
and sail away or else combine and show fight.
One of their vessels is doing guard duty right
at the entrance to the ground.
In other sections of the state the same con-
dition of affairs exists, 30 that just now the
oyster pirate can steal at will There is no one
to prevent him. The state crews have been
notified that in case another such attack was
made as that of last week not mothers son Of
them would be spared. Their decentralization
is complete. Two dredging vessels, the
schooner Thomas B. Schall and the pungy VIM.
NJ. Mcnamara, both Of which took a prominent
part in the fight, are fast ashore on Hopper's
Point bar, having stuck there while chasing
the state sloop c. B. Groome. No effort what
ever has been made to seize them. The people
in the state are thoroughly aroused over the
Encouragement of the state navy, especially
the oyster protecting contingent, and unless
the service is speedily improved and proper
protection afforded the people propose to take
the law into their own hands.