Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-10-24
ON TRIAL F0R 4 RsoN.


IA NstNe spufTNtN sShbAl 1885,
Attracts Much Attentions.
PRINcEss ANNE, Mn, Dot. ~. In the
circuit court for Somerset county, to.
day, Levin b. Hail and sarah y. hail,
his sister, who were indicted by the
grand jury for arson in the burning OF
ibe storehouse owned and occupied by
Cox Il Miles, at Paramount, Somerset
county. were nrraigned for trial. Ihe
case 10 one in which great public interest
is manifested, both because of the promi-
neut connections of the prisoners ard the
character Of the alleged crime. The Are
oucurred on the second day of last sep
TENDER, and consumed the Gtorebouse,
.he upper stories of which were occupied
as DWELLING another dwelling belong
ing to Mr. Merrill, and the house IN
which the prisoners themselves resided.
The parties were arrested few days
Gfter the tire upon circumstantial evil
dencs aid we're lodged in jail, where they
have remained ever since, having waived
a preliminary examination.
Hon. John W. Crisfield and Dennis \
Brattsn appeared for the defence, and
States Attorney Dixon was assisted in the
prosecution by ex States Attorney Joshua
w. Miles by appointment of the court.
After two hours consultation this morn
| ing the prisoners counsel came into
court and asked TO withdraw the entry Of
trial by jury and elected to be tried by
the court The jurors who had been
summoned were discharged, and the
examination of witnesses was begun.
Mr.. George A. COX, of the firm of Cox
h Miles, ives this fast witness. He testi-
fed that ON the Tuesday previous to the
Dire he visited Miss Hall to consult hel
concerning painting that side OF hi;
house adjoining her alley. ''She refused
me the privilege" said the witness, land
1 proposed snspending o ladder from tht
window to paint the house, to which she
also objected, and told her tina. was the
best could do. III you do said MISS
Hall, 'you will have TO take the conse
quences' | asked her what abe mean
by consequences, and she replied thu
law. told her was willing to take tht
legal consequences, and she said, Their
are other consequence asked he
what she meant, and she replied that re-
mains to be seem" few days late
witness said he suspended one of tn
painters from the window in chair Il
paint his house, and MIR. and Miss HGl
appeared on the scene with an axe and
knife. Miss Hall cut the rope and lie
the painter fall to the ground. 9
told her that / intended to paint tina
building, and she replied, II will neve
be DONE This was on Thursday. TIL
following Monday, about 2 a. M, wa
awakened by the cry of fire." Witnes
said he hastened to the scene of the fire
The fire was burning on the north eas
corner, in the rear of the house, a ahor
distance from the ground. He saw MI
Hall coming from pile Of goods Rbou
50 yards from his house. MIR. Hall ha
ON sll his clothes, including his cola
, and cravat, md had removed from hi
. own house large wagon load of furn
, tura MIR. Cox was on the atand &c
/ about three hours and was subjected to
! trying cross. examination, but displaye
, great coolne1s and delibora:ion. IL
trial is largely attended. Mr.. Hall an
his sister sat near their counsel through
, out the day and displayed but lit
8 emotion.