Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1888-11-20
LAST EDITION
DID FORD CUT HIM?

Most of the Morning Taken up with the
Case of the state vs.. William Ford for
Intend to Kill.
AS soon as court opened this morning
the following prisoners were brought in
and arraigned Charles w Smith, colored,
for assault with intent to kill upon John
w. Carey. The prisoner declined to
answer whether he was guilty or not,
and plea of guilty was entered.
James Anderson for the larceny of a
watch from Leon Schlice He pleadednot
guilty.
James Wilson for the larceny of pair
of shoes from Samuel Slungsnuff He
pleaded not guilty.
George Rhodes for the larceny Of S115
from Thomas Derby. Previous to being
sentenced the prisoner asked to
make a statement. With some emotion he
said he was among strangers, it was his
first offense and he had a wife and chill
dren to support. The court said that
under the circumstances it would remit
the corporal punishment, and sentenced
him to pay the costs and restitution
money and be imprisoned two months.
The prisoner thanked the court effusively.
Edward Hopper, colored, indicted for
carrying concealed deadly weapons, was
sentenced to ten days Imprisonment.
The examination of witnesses in the
case of William Ford, for assault with
intent to kill Thomas Ralston, was then
resumed. Thomas Wood took the
stand and was cross. examined. Nothing
new was developed
At the request Of several Of the Jurors
the prisoner stepped out of the box so
that they could see his height. The pre-
vious witness testified that the man he
saw was short. Mr.. Sandborn, who is
six feet one inch high, stood beside him.
The prisoner was abont an inch shorter
than Mr., Sandborn
Police Officer Shearer testified to seeing
Ralston, his brother and another man,
chase negro into Kyles ice cream saloon
at Sixth and Orange Streets shortly after
the assault. Sergeant Peterson also tes-
titled to these facts, but said the colored
man was not the prisoner at the bar
Officer Frank NJ. Ayars also saw the
chase.
Pierce Gould testified that previous
witness had said Bob, that was d
onary of you, cutting that man" The
prisoner who was employed by him, re
turned to his work on Monday morning
Witness heard Thomas Ralston say at
the preliminary hearing that he did not
know who cut him.
John Carpenter lived at No 231 Orange
street. Stated that he had known the
prisoner for two years and considered him
a quiet respectable man.
Atwood Carpenter short colored man,
testified that he was the man whom Raj
ton and the others had chased He was
on his way home when he met the crowd
William Kyne and William G. Martin
tie itified to Ford's good character
Attorney general Biggs was willing to
submit the case to the jury without argu-
ment, but Mr. Sanborn was not. There
fore Mr. Biggs summed up the case,
taking about half hour Mr.. Sanborn
then reviewed the testimony
of both sides and made strong
case for his client, Mr.. Biggs had the
closing argument and made vigorous
one in answer to that Of the opposite
counsel. Chief Justice Comegys charged
the jury and at ~ 30 o'clock they retired
and had not come in at o'clock, when
court adjourned.
The grand jury came in at IL o'clock
and at the request Of the state, were
given a recess until o'clock this after
noon to enable to get number of wit
nesses they desired.
Charles Reynolds, against whom there
were two indictments for gambling,
pleaded guilty on the first indictment and
nolle prosequi was entered in the second.
He was sentenced to pay fine of $500
and the costs, in default of which be i'm
prisoned for one year.
The recognizance of Prince Mousley
and his bondsmen Thomas L. MoHsley
was called and neither appearing their
bond was declared forfeited Prince
Mousely was indicted for a murderous
assault upon Henry P. Grubb in the
Ninth ward
Attorney General Biggs suggested that
Nathan DENLY, colored, who was con
tinually being sent up, be kept in jail un.
til the next term of court, as he was
probably just insane enough to be dan
gerous The court however concluded to
send him to the almshouse.
The case of James Wiley, colored, fol
entering with intent to commit larceny
was called. Mr.. Vandegrift, who haC
been assigned to defend the prisoner
said the man was so drunk that he did
not know where he was going, anC
wanted to plead guilty TO unlawful
breaking and entering.
Catherine G. Tatman the prosecuting
witness testified to hearing the prisoner
in the house and finding him APPARENT,
drunk, but in truth not intoxicated III
had to pass her gate to 60 home. Ser
geant Peterson testified to his arrest a
Mrs Tatmans request He di,
not appear drunk. Mr.. Vande
grift called John Sewell as
witness for the defence He swore to tn
prisoner having liquor and being drunk
The sentence Of the court was that h
pay the costs and be imprisoned for thre
months.
Court took recess until 3 o'clock thi
afternoon.