Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1891-01-22
223l

~N~ N-NAAAA w htlCOhI II
jury. The first twelve men called
were seated, neither the state or de-
lenses making any challenges.
The Prosecutor stated that Nichols
had been indicted for an attrocious
assault, committed upon James Spen-
Ger, on the oath of December last in
Greenwich township.
James Spencer, the complainant, an
elderly man, colored, was the first wit
ness for the State. He said his home
was at Greenwich, and that he knew
the prisoner. The cutting took place
at the home OF the witness on Chris
mas eve. After finishing his days
work on the oath of December, Spencer
came home and asked for Nichols, who
at that time, lived at the house OF the
witness. Mrs. Spencer said that Mich
OILS had gone away that morning and
taking bis clothes with him. Some
time after supper Nichols came home
and quarrel ensued between the pris-
oner and his wife, who is the daughter
OF the witness. Spencer interfered,
and Nichols suddenly produced razor
and raising his arm, brought it down,
cutting through Spencer's cap, and
making cut on the head Nichols al
SO cut Spencer's finger. The witness
went on to narrate that just previous
ly Nichols had a scrimmage with Spen-
GERS son and cut him with a razor.
The cross-exsmination of the wit
ness was picnic. Mr. Ware had
some hard questions to ask, and the
answers of Spencer convulsed the aud
ience. If all that Mr.. Ware intimated
was true, there must have been some
thing like battle OF Bull Run about
the Spencer cettage. Mr.. Ware want
ed Spencer to tell whether or not he
had not been in Jail, and the witness
said he had, hut assured the jury and
Court that his imprisonment was all a
mistake.
The wife of Spencer followed upon
the witness stand. She is a large
woman and was very positive in her
testimony. In fact she was so earnest
that some of the words got out SO fast
that she was all cut of breath. She
illustrated very graphically how Mic
hols drew the razor from his inside
coat pocket and cut her son Asbury
and also her husband. Finally Nichols
was elected from the house and then
he broke open the door and came in
again. Spencer then got gun and
ran Nichols off the place. Mrs.
Spencer added to the merriment of the
audience vastly. So much so that the
Court was obliged to direct the Sheriff
! to have officers stationed about the
room and keep order or eject those
making the noise. Mrs. Spencer was
obliged to acknowledge in answer to
Mr.. Wares questions that she had
been in jail for false report"
The son OF the two preceding wit
nesses was next called. He enjoys the
seashore sort of a. name, Asbury.
Young Spencer came on the stand in
sort of half-scared-to. death manner, in
fact he said he was dreadfully afraid of
Nichols, but Mr.. Ware assured him
that while in the court room there was
no danger.
Asbury said Nichols was cussin' and
| DAMN about, when his father came
home. Mr.. Spencer ordered Nichols
from the house and he did not go
Then Nichols took the razor from his
pocket and slashed him on tue right
arm As soon as Asbusy was cut he
ran away, using the excellent philoso-
ply that it was better to run than be
cut to DEATH Asbury also saw the
cutting of his father. The young man
said his father was not drunk 'cause ne
belongs to church, and didn't have &
drop 10 him." This was all the witness.
knew, for he said II don't know
nothin' else, was gone l run over
to Mr.. Briant's. If there was anything
else happened l don't know nothin'
about it,
William Paynter, a white man, YVES
next sworn. He said he happened to
be at the Spencer domici.e on the
evening, "the BAH had been opened be.
fore arrived" After Paynter got in
the house he heard Nichols making in.
qulries as 10 the whereabouts of his
boots and ooate. Then Henry COM
menced to oerate his wife, and if Mr..
Paynter's story is true, he was very
harsh in his statemsL About the
time Nichols WAS charging his wife
with infideli'y, Spencer came in and
said ut is a positive ie" He saw the
cutting as described, and heard Nichols
say You - Il can lick the
whole lot Of you" MIR. Paynter did
not see ali Of il, for as soon as possible
he made calculations to get out.n
Justice of the Peace E. l.. Mattoek,