Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-02-12
GRAND NQUESTS REPORT
County Building Found in
Good Condition.
A NEW JAIL is BADLY NEEDED
A Prison in Which Inmates
Can be Employed.
Condemnation of Submitting Petty Cases
to the Courts--This Old Abuse Still Ex-
lists = Upon the Death of Fellow
Juror.

Immediately after court convened
yesterday week, Attorney general
Biggs asked that one of the election
cases against Franklin B. Cotton be
taken up and a jury drawn.
This was opposed by Benjamin Nields,
Esq, counsel for the defense, who said
that James Mclaughlin, his principal
witness, was too sick to appear. He
said that DIR. Shortlidge has visited the
witness at his home. in this city, and
found him unable to go out without
great danger to his health.
Mr.. Biggs said that he would like to
hear DIR. Shortlidge's testimony under
oath, and he was called to the stand,
Upon being affirmed, the doctor stated
that he had visited Mclaughlin about
half an hour before coming into court,
and found him very much debilitated.
He had considerable fever and was very
weak. He did not think 1t would be
safe to bring him to court even in
closed carriage.
Mr.. Biggs then called DR.. Springer.
who stated that he is McLaughlin's
family physician, and had been attend
ing him for an liberated jaw. On Mon
day the ulcer broke, and he had stopped
attending him. In his opinion the man
could attend court without incuring
the slightest danger, il he was wrapped
up and brought in closed carriage.
Chief Justice Comegys, however, de-
cided that under the circumstance he
did not think it twould be safe to compel
the man to come out, and postponed the
case until 10 o'clock Friday morning.
The attention of the court was called
by II. 9. Turner, Esq, to the case of
Andrew Reed, who pleaded guilty to a
charge of larceny, and was not sem
fenced on account of his physical con-
dition. Mr.. Turner said that the man
is in a serious condition, and called DIR.
Blocksom to the stand to substantiate
his statements.
DIR. Blocksom testified that he had ex-
a'nined the prisoner and found him suf
lering from O disease of the heart and
lungs. He also has malaria, and he did
not consider him in a condition to un-
dergo corporal punishment
Deputy Attorney general Davis said
that he did not think the prisoner was a
safe man to be at large, and on his ap-
plication the sentence was held up, and
he was committed to the custody of the
sheriff.
Frederick Brown, colored, who plead
guilty to an indictment charging him
with carrying q concealed deadly
weapon, was sentenced to one months
Imprisonment.
Walter Parker, colored, was charged
with carrying concealed deadly
weapon. Walter Bacon, Esq, appeared
in his behalf, and said the boys father
keeps secondhand place, and that
while the accused was in charge some
one came in and sold him an old pistol.
When he started home he took the pistol
with him to show it to his father, and
stopped TO let some boys examine it.
One of them pointed it at another, when
it was discharged, an act that the ac-
cused had nothing to do with, but he
was arrested on this charge. Chief
Justice Comegys said he would give the
accused and his counsel an opportunity
to explain the matter toa jury Thursday
morning, and the boy was released on
bail.
Patrick Stanton was arraigned and
pleaded guilty to an Indictment charg-
ing him with the larceny of a carpen-
ter's square, the property of Joseph S.
Reynolds, ON January 3lst.
William Kennedy pleaded guilty to
charge of stealing an oyercoat from
Isaac Goldstein.
Henry Hall, colored, indicted for the
larceny of drum, valued at S15, on
December Goth, the property of Edward
Higgins, plead guilty.
Joseph Hickey and Lewis Cox
pleaded not guilty to an Indictment
charging them with the larceny of a
racket brace, the property of Andrew
Long, on January goth.
James Morton pleaded not guilty to
the larceny of coat and vest, from
George N. Benjamin, on January 29th.
James Perier, colored, was charged
with the larceny of pair Of pants,
from Herman Goldstein, on December
21st and pleaded guilty.
Elmer Jones, colored, indicted for the
larceny of a pair of shoes valued at 81,
pleaded guilty.
Dennis Vaughn plead guilty to the
larceny of a washtub valued at 65 cents,
the property of Mary w. Mclaughlin,
on January goth.
All the prisoners were remanded to
the custody of the sheriff and shortly
after o'clock court adjourned until 10
o'clock Thursday morning.
As soon as court met Thursday morn
ing the names of the grand and general
jurors We're called and the first named
retired to their chamber with number
of bills.
On the application of City Solicitor
Lyman, jury was ordered to be drawn
in the case of John Mcdonald VS.. the
mayor and council of Wilmington. The
court ordered the plaintiff to deposit the
probable amount of the costs, but said
that as the city seems to be flush, it
would not be necessary to require it to
do the same.
Frank d. Carpenter, Esq, asked that
the case of Harry Spoerl be taken up
for trial. He called attention to the
fact that there were a large number of
witnesses present, the greater number
of whom are employed in the railroad
shops. Deputy Attorney general Davis
said that on account of the absence of
Encouragement Biggs, who he under
stood is sick, he was not ready to pro-
coed. Mr.. Carpenter urged his point,
and finally Mr.. Biggs was sent for.
While the court was waiting the fol-
lowing prisoners were brought in and
sentenced:
Patrick Stanton, who pleaded guilty
to the larceny of square, was SEN
fenced to pay the costs, 81 restitution
money, be imprisoned two months and
on Saturday next be whipped with five
lashes.
James Perier, colored, was also SEN
tenbed to two months imprisonment
and five lashes, for the larceny of pair
of shoes.
Ssnns Vaughn, for the larceny Of q !