Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-02-12
wash-tub, was sentenced to two months

imprisoned two months and whipped |
with five lashes, for the larceny Of an
overcoat.
Henry Ball, colored, who pleaded |
guilty to the larceny of a drum, was
sentenced to pay costs, $15 restitution
money, be imprisoned two months and
whipped with five lashcs, on Saturday
next.
Elmer Johns, colored, who pleaded
guilty to stealing a pair of shoes, was
sentenced to pay the costs, be impris-
oned two months, and on Saturday be
whipped with five lashes.
AS the messenger sent for Mr.. Biggs
had returned, and stated that Mr.. Biggs
was unable to be present, the trial of
Spoerl was postponed until Friday.
The case of William Mcpherson, in
dicted for arson, was then taken up and
a jury drawn.
Deputy Attorney Davis ap-
peared for the State and Harry Emmons,
Esq, for the defence Mr. Davis stated
to the jury that this indictment was
brought for setting fire TO building be-
longing to George w. Bush & Son.
alThe examination of witnesses was
then commenced and the testimony of
Walter G. Bush, member of the firm
of George w. Bush & Son, showed that
from November 14th until December
18th of last, they had been very much
annoyed by some one setting fire to
some of the buildings on their premises
The witness finally put man to watch
and the accused was detected in the act,
Since his arrest there has not been any
fires.
Mr.. Emmons subjected the witness to
long and searching cross-examination
and brought out the fact that he, as well
as the other members of the firm,
looked upon Mcpherson as trusted en-
ploye, and that when he put a man to
watch for the incendiary, he told the
accused of the fact
The testimony of the preceding wit
ness was corrpborated by George NJ. ID.
Cam, an employe of the firm, who also
said that previous to December 18th the
firm had ceased to tell Mcpherson when
they put man on watch, as they had
reason to suspicion him. On that day
the firm had Mr.. Jones in a position
where he could see what was going on
at large shed, filled with wood. The
fire broke out in this building and a lot
of cotton waste was found saturated
with oil
Tie WdS GTDSS-CAuHltHGu az lcllB vi ny
Mr.. Emmons but without changing his
direct testimony.
Robert McClintock was arraigned and
pleaded guilty to charge of forgery
and was sentenced to pay fine of $500,
be imprisoned three months and stand
one hour in the pillory. Court then adj
iourned until 2.30 O'Clock Thursday after
noon.
As soon as court resumed at $50
O'Clock Thursday afternoon, the case of
William Mcpherson, charged with
arson, was again taken up and the ex-
animation of witnesses resumed.
George NJ. d. Cam upon being re-
called, stated that he had found cotton
waste seereted about the yard several
times He had asked Mcpherson to
help him watch around the yard.
The testimony of Detective William
r. Jones showed that he was employed
by the firm to find out who was causing
the fires. He employed young man
named Dillin to watch, and charged him
to keep his eye on Mcpherson. As he
did not discover anything the witness
commenced to watch himself. He was
first secreted in the wood shed and after
wards in the third story of house on
of the yard On December 18th he went
in this room about o'clock in the morn
ing, and between 10 and II o'clock saw
Mcpherson come out of the blacksmith
shop with bag or bundle of waste in
his hand. He proceeded direct 10 the
shed and went in. He was in the shed
few seconds when he came out
and after looking around took some
. i,,fr S,f I, tc pl-af nd ftraf,
back. When he came out again the wit
ness saw smoke issuing from the shed.
Mcpherson then went in the blacksmith
shop and came out and seemed to be
working on wagon. In little time
he was joined by colored man who
was his helper. The witness then came
down and told Mr.. Cam about the fire,
and he went to the place. The witness
also went TO the shed and saw some cot
ton waste partly burned and at the re-
quest of Mr.. Bush took the accused in
custody.
On the cross.examination, Mr..
Emmons produced a paper which pur-
ported to be Mr.. Jones' testimony before
the municipal court, at the preliminary
hearing, the greater part Of which the
witness positively declared he did not
say. The cross-examination was tedious
and prolonged to such an extent; that
even the court became impatient.
Frantz Dillin testified that he assisted
Mr.. Jones in trying to find out who set
fire to the buildings. At first he walked
around the yard to become acquainted
with the place, and afterwards was
secreted in building. He first com
menced TO watch on November 18th,
but was NOT there the day of the last
fire.
Harvey d. Vandegrift testified he had
also been on the watch. He saw the
ber whether or not any one had pointed
the place out to him, where the fire hadA
been.
While this witness was on the stand
the grand Jury came in, and after pre-
senting their report were discharged
from further attendance Court then
adjourned until 10 a. m. Friday.
The report is as follows:
To The Honorable Judges of the Supeyio,
Court: The grand inquest of New Castle |
county and the State of Delaware would |
respectfully present the following report of |
the business coming before them for the |
year commencing with the May term, 1880, |
and ending with the February term, 1891 |
There were submitted to us at the May |
term, 1880, by the attorney-general q bills, |
of which one was ignored, and true bills |
found in 20 cases.
AT the September term, 1880, "A bills |
were submitted, of which six were ignored |
and true bills found in 38 cases.
At the November term 2S bills were sub
mitted, Of which two were ignored and
true bills found in 26 cases.
At the present term of February, 1891, |
AZ hills were qi1hlnittel of which all trt1a