Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-02-12
GRAND INQUESrS REPORT


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3 ResolUed, That we have learned with deem
sorrow OF the death Of our fellow myIpber.
John Pugh. lie was by virtue OF his long OK.
perlenco and judicial temperament and ex-
A ceedingly valuable and valued member of this
' bsdy. In his death we not only lose a valued
member but each of us personal friend.
The state and community lose an upright
honorable, useful citizen. lie died full OF
years and In the enjoyment Of tho respect and
confidence OF all VINO knew him to an unusual
aegree, useful cl izen, a go9d neighbour, u
Kind friend; hia life work is done, and he has
gone TO HE reward.
On Wednesday, October Goth, 1890. the
grand inquest made a visit of inspection to
the county Jail at New Castle and to the
county almshouse at iarnhurst. At the Jail
we were received by Sheriff Allen and his
wife, who afforded us every facility of in
ipecting everything under their charge In
.he sheriif's house we found everything in
excellent condition and preservation,
showing the admirable management and
careful experience Of most capable
housekeeper.
In the prison we found it in its usual
crowded condition, but everything Clean
neat and wholesome. The food which we
saw in process of preparation was excel
lent The inmates ppcared-healthy and
well cared for.
The building seems entirely inadequate
for the large number of inmates which it
usually contains, and it was the unani-
nous opinion of this body that new
prison should be built of suitable capacity
and arrangement to provide for giving
some form of employment to those con-
fined therein.
The almshouse was found in most adj
mirable condition. Under the manage
ment Of Superintendent Guthrie it has
been made in cleanliness, attention to and
care for the health and wants of inmates
homo IA IN m uf ta
who are thus dependent upon the county
for care and maintenance.
WILLIAM II. SMALLEY Foreman.
When court convened Friday morn
ing Walter Bacon, Esq, filed an appli-
cation in the case of Patrick Stanton,
sentenced to be whipped with five lashes
Saturday for larceny, to have the cor
poral punishment postponed one week,
to allow MIN an opportunity to have the
lashes remitted. The court declined to
interfere.
Benjamin Nields, Esq, again asked to
have the case of franklin b. Cotton
postponed until the May term, but as
Deputy Attorney general Davis de-
clined to discuss the matter, until the
case on trial is finished, no action was
taken.
The case of William Mcpherson, in
dlcted Tor arson, was again taken up
and Mr.. Bush was recalled to testify to
certain changes that had been made in
the yard and the buildings, since the
last fire.
John N. Turner, Thomas j. Talley,
Charles W. Horn and George White,
testified that they had been called upon
to look out Of the window from which
Mr. Jones watched and that they had
an unobstructed view Of the building
where the last fire was started.
The State closed with these witnesses,
and Mr.. Emmons made his opening to
the court by asking that the Indictment
be quashed. lie argued that the indict-
ment was defective, and offered to pro-
duce authorities in support of his posi-
ton. The court, however, declined to
hear him, and said that, in its opinion,
this was a case for the jury, Mr.. En-
mons then made brief opening, and
recalled Walter ID. Bush to show that
the accused had been faithful and
trusted employe of the firm for four
years, and that not long before the last
fire they had increased his wages.
He then called Charles G. Guyer, who
took notes at the preliminary hearing,
for the purpose of contradicting Officer
Jones. Mr.. Emmonss submitted type
written copy of the testimony, which
the court declined to admit, on the
ground that it was merely copy of the
original notes. MIR. Guyer was in
structed to bring his notes, taken at the
time, and went to his office to get them
While he was gone, Emanuel Good
ing, colored, was called to the stand,
and testified that he was employed by
Bush & Son as helper for Mcpherson.
The latter was great smoker, and
had pipe in his mouth almost all the
time. The witness had frequently seen
smoke issuing from the shed, which
came from the tug boats at the wharf.
The witness then described the different
fires that had taken place, and with Mr..
Emmons' questions proceeded to show
that each time when fire occurred, Nc
Pherson was busy at work, and that on
several occasions the witness had called
his attention to the fires, and with him
helped to eXtinguish them. He did not
think it would have been possible for
Mcpherson TO have started the fire on
December 18th without his knowing il,
as he was at work with him all day. The
yard was somewhat of thoroughfare,
and people frequently came in. The
witness had seen Mcpherson drive men
out.
After being subjected to searching
cross-examination by Deputy Attorney
general Davis, and redirect examina-
ion by Mr.. Emmons, the witness was
allowed to leave the stand and court
took recess until 2.30 o'c ock Friday
afternoon.
When court reconyened on Friday
afternoon the case of the State VS..
William Mcpherson, charged with firing
buildings belonging to George w. Bush
Sons, was resumed.
Emanuel Gooding, colored, was re-
allied, and Mr.. Emmons tried to get
i'm to say that on number of occa-
ions he had seen Mcpherson act in
ingular manner. The effort, however,
roved fruitless, as the witness persisted
saying that he had always acted
bout the same as other men.
Charles q. Guyer was recalled, but
chen Mr.. Emmons asked him in regard
the testimony given by Officer Jones
1T the municipal court, he said he could
not recollect much about it, unless he
referred to his notes. As this was not
permitted by the court, he left the stand
Henry Scott, colored, stated that he is
employed by George w. Bush & Sons
as a driver He remembered about one
of the fires, as he was at the blacksmith
shop having a brake fixed on his wagon
After the work was done, he started to
drive out, and upon seeing the fire
called Mr.. Cann's attention to it. He
was positive that Mcpherson could not
have had anything to do with this fire,
as the witness and he were working