The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-17
HIS YOUTH SAVED HIM.
A LITTLE COLORED BOY ACQUIT-
TED OF STEALING S17o.

A Peculiar Case Before the Superior
Court in Which the Jury Consid-
cred a Lads Confession Of His Crime
Not Necessary Evidence of His
Guilt-Centry Thompson Acquitted
of Assault With Intent to Murder.
PIANO Pope's Assailants to Be Tried
To-day.
An interesting criminal trial occupied
the superior court yesterday afternoon. II
was that of Frank Lewis, a little 12-year-
old colored boy, charged with stealing $40
from the house of Mrs. Alice Deignan
several months ago.
There was no evidence against the boy
except confession he made at the time the
larceny was committed. claiming that he
had buried the money in the street outside
of Mrs. Deignan's house. Although the
street was excavated for distance Of two
blocks, the money was never found. The
little fellow yesterday denied all knowledge
of the theft aud said he was frightened
when he made the original confession. His
story bore the impress of truth, and Coll
ored Attorney Kinckle, who defended him,
made good argument for his youthful
client
Judge Falligant made decidedly favor
able charge to the boy prisoner, telling the
jury that convection could not be had
simply on confession without corrobora-
tive evidence, and also as to the RESPONSE
bility of such small boy. When Judge
Falligant told the jury to retire the mem
bers arose and said there was no necessity
because they were all satisfied the boy
wasn't guilty. One Of the jurymen was
~ h. -
acquittal was written at the solicitor gen.
erals desk.
Joseph Williams (colored), charged with
burglarizing the house OF j. II. Johnston,
Dec @, pleaded guilty yesterday in the
superior court to larceny from the house
under the value of $50. Judge FalligaDt
sentenced Williams to twelve months on the
chain-gang.
Ben Lewis (colored) pleaded guilty yester-
day in the superior court to simple larceny
from the Savannah, Florida and Western
railway, and was sentenced to twelve
months on the chain-gsng.
Gentry J. Thompson (colored), charged
with assaulting with intent to murder OFF,
Ger G. 7. Christie Aug. l, was tried and &C
quilted in the superior court yesterday.
The alleged assault occurred during a raid
on a gambling den in Robertsville, In
which Thompson fired a bullet through
the policeman's coat sleeve. The prisoner
proved TO the satisfaction of the jury that
he had not fred at the officer or made any
attempt 30 kill him, the pistol exploding
accidentally. Solicitor General Fraser held
Thompson for carrying concealed weapons
He was defended by George w. Owens,
Esq.
Alex. Jenkins (colored) was tried In che
superior court yesterday on charge of
assaulting with intent to murder Floyd
Brown, Oct. 90. The jury went out at l
O'Clock. but up to a late hour last night had
failed to reach an agreement. The prob
ability is that a mistrial will result. w. e.
Morrison, ESQ.,, defended Jenkins. An
| amusing feature connected with the trial
happened last night after o'clock. The
foreman of the jury sent note to Judge
Falligant, stating that he would like to see
| him. The judge, thinking the jury
| desired instruction summoned the solicitor
general and the prisoners attorney and had
the jury brought into the court room.
| Then he asked the jurors what instruction
they desired. The foreman arose and said
1t wasn't instruction they wanted but
simply to say they could not agree on gen.
eral principles. Judge Falligant was quite
surprised and replied: "Well, gentlemen,
you will have TO return to your room and
continue your deliberations The twelve
men were a most crest-fallen set when they
started back upstairs They had expected
| to get their liberty but were badly fooled.
| The 81 900 damage suit of Francis NJ.
| Way against the Ocean Steamship Com
pany was tried In. the city court yesterday
and resulted In d verdict OF $500 for the
| plaintiff. The suit grew out Of the break
| ing open OF a certain cedar chest contain
Ing valable goods belonging to the plaintiff
while It was in transit from New York on
one Of the ocean steamers in September,
1890, causing the destruction of most and
the loss Of some OF the contents. The chest
was In evidence before the jury, and was
certainly badly wrecked article. Col.
George A. Mercer represented the plaintiff
and Lawton & Cunningham the defendant
corporation.
Spiero and Nicholas Hanjikos, the assail-
ants of Pano Pope, will be tried for assault
with intent to murder, tomorrow in the
superior court w. R. Leaken, Esq, will
defend them aud George T. &c j. Ferris
4 Cam will assist In the prosecution.
| Intelligent Patriotism
Is what The Youths Companion is aim
ing at in its plan for gigantic chain of
debating clubs called the Lyeeum League
of America. This gives practical direction
to the ardor of the school flag movement,
started by the same paper.-Ad.
i