Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-09-24
SEPTEMBER co URr.

SEPTEMBER c0URE
The Opening Session Attracts an Un.
usually Large Attendance of witncssei
and Others.
There was more than the usual inter
est In the September term Of the county
courts, which opened at the court house
on Monday, and the crowd in waiting
quickly filled the court room In few
minutes after the doors were opened
Sunday nights homicide, which will be
laid before the grand jury at its present
sitting, in addition to the large number
OF cases OF more than ordinary import.
ance with which the docket has been
crowded since the end of the May term
served as a dainty attraction 10 the
morbldly curious who revel In sensa-
tional scenes at court. These, with the
witnesses duly summoned, went to
make up crowd of unusual dimensions
for an opening day.
All three of the courts-general ses-
sions, oyer and terminer and superior
court--were duly opened a few minutes
after 10 o'clock. Chief Justice Comegys
and Judge Cullen were on the bench.
The grand jury retired and the court
then waited for the return of indict-
ments.
In the case of Lawrence Long and
James Carr, jointly indicted for the
murder of Antonio Bass, Attorney. gen
eral Biggs made the usual motion to
certiorari the case from the court of
general sessions, in which the indict-
ment was found, to the court of oyer
and terminer for trial. Long has thus
far eluded arrest, but Carr is in custody
and will probably be tried at this term.
The murder was the result of fight
that occurred in May last, on Tatnall
street between Second and Third, when
Basso was beaten SO severely that he
died.
1t was after 10 o'clock when the
grand jury returned with several indict-
ments. Then Michael Kelly was ar
raigned for the larceny of a coat from
David johnson of Christiana hundred,
and pleaded not guilty.
The case against George Smith,
charged with having criminal operation
performed upon Mary Handy, was dis
continued.
In superior court, Willard Salisbury,
Dr., submitted motion for an order for
the plaintiff to give security for costs in
the McGrenra dover case.
Announcement was made by the
counsel, w. s. Hilles and Benjamin
Nields, of continuance of the Hannah
Bennett will case until the November
term.
Court took recess until $50 o'clock,
p. m.
Michael Kelley was tried at Monday
afternoons session of general sessions
court, on an indictment charging him
with the larceny of coat from Daniel
johnson of Christiana hundred He
conducted his own defense and Peter L.
Cooper prosecuted on the part of the
State. johnson kept the hotel at Cen
treville, and on September LIST he missed
a coat which was hanging in the dining
room. Two days later Kelley passed
the hotel wearing the coat. II tore the
coat off his back and gave him welt
over the head with it, said johnson.
Some receipts that were in the coat
pocket, he said, had been lost or de-
destroyed. Walter G. Cheavins, who
had bought the place out and took pos
session of the bar-room the day the coat
was taken, saw Mr.. Johnson hang his
coat in the dining-room and also saw
him recover it from Kelley afterwards.
The prisoner undertook to question
the witnesses, but his queries soon took
the form of rambling statements, to the
effect that he got very drunk at the
hotel and knew nothing about taking
the coat. He told the jury that he was
innocent of any theft, and if they would
acquit him he would never take another
drink of liquor. mo, not If | live a
thousand years." he concluded, impress
sively.
The jury evidently believed Michael's
statement, and after celebrating few
minutes returned verdict of not guilty.
The prisoner warmly thanked his deliv-
erers as he left the dock.
James Carr, who was indicted with
Lawrence Long for the murder of
Antonio Basso on November 18th, 1890,
in Wilmington, by striking him on the
head with a beer glass, from which
injury he died on November 2Sth,
was brought into court for arraign-
ment. Having no counsel Walter
II. Hayes was assigned to de-
fend him. The indictment is in two
counts. The first charges the murder
upon both of the accused; the second
charges Long with the murder and Carr
as an accessory. William Bullen was
also charged with completely in the
offence, but the bill against him was
ignored
Mr.. Hayes contended that the State
would have to elect which count to pro-
coed under, but the attorney general
claimed that the indictment was in
accordance with the custom prevailing
in this court.
The prisoner then pleaded not guilty.
The trial will probably come off next
week.
Harry Fields was arraigned for the
larceny of pair of spectacles from
Anna G. Claymore and pleaded not
guilty.
James Boyer, colored, was arraigned
Tor the larceny of coat from Daniel T.
simmons and pleaded guilty.
Court adjourned until 10 o'clock Tues
Law morning.
At Tuesday mornings session of court
James Boyer, colored, who pleaded
guilty to the larceny of a coat from
Daniel Simmons, was sentenced to five
ashes on Saturday next and imprison-
nent for two months.
Henry Fields,a white man with large
and crooked nose and look of evil
in his deep-set eyes, was tried |
On the charge of stealing pair of gold |
'pectacle from Hannah Baymore of New |
Castle. Nathaniel Davis prosecuted for |
he State. Fields came to Mrs. Baymore's
louse to see William Vantine, boarder
here, and after his departure the glasses
we're missed. He afterwards admitted
he theft and said he had sold the
ylasses to James RridrnMater for FL