Bridgeton pioneer., 1891-02-19
SPECIAL COURT.
John Wilmer on Trial for Stealing
Ayars' Chickens.


inal cases. Judge Hrrdee was also
present.
The first case called by Prosecutor
Logue, was that of John H Wilmer
charged with stealing chickens from
SAM c. Ayers on South Pearl street,
on the night of July 31st last. John
pleaded not gui ty. Jas. S. Ware ESQ.,,
appeared for the defendant
This is the same chicken stealing
case for which WIN. Dorsey was tried
and acquitted last term of Court.
Sam'l G. Aya-s vas the first witness
called.
Warrants were issued for Wilmer at
| the same time that one was issued for
Dorsey. Dorsey was arrested but VIII
mer skipped the town
Ayar's evidence did not connect Will
mer with the case
Constable Johnson was sworn and
testified to the arrest Of Dorsey and
Wilmer.
Bill Dorsey was depended on for
the connecting evidence. He was
sworn and gave this evidence
voluminous detail.
He said Dash, he riz, and I heard
some one crash against my chicken
coop, and looking out l saw John
Wilmer and Geroge Dunkel standing
on my steps. 1 heard chickens.
They said they had been over to Bow
ers after beer, he said.
Bill was a lively witnesa, you may
depend, as was proved on bis Cross
examinations. Judge H@agland had
to set down on Bill pretty hard TO
bring him to time.
Watchman Leary, testified that he
saw two nen coming out of Glass ST.,
and proceeded % Dofsey's, could not
say who they were.
Charlie Harm OF. was sworn, and said
that John tod him that the chickens
were taken by Daokel aud Taylor, but
did not admit that he himself stole
them. The State rested and John
Wilmer was put on his defense. He
said that his native place was Salem,
where he was working when arrested.
He said that on July 31st he met
Dorsey who invited bim down o spend
the evening with i,iia, and while sit
ting on the step anu talking for quite
awhile, he fell asieep. George Dunkel
came a 'ong epped in the house over
Wilmer, waking him up. He then
70 10
allegorv relating 70 the theft of the
chickens. He claimed that Dunkel
stole the chickens.
The case of Sherman Pierce, charged
with abusing horse belonging to Liv.
eryman Lewis, in September last, which
he had hired to go to Fa;-.on. Mr..
Lewis was put on the stand and de.
tailed the circumstances.
Mr.. Ware defended this case also.
The case of ISAIAH Buck was called.
Buck had pleaded not guilty to
discharging a pistol at William Prit-
chett with the intention of killing him
at the house of Charity Groce, in the
Third Ward. The parties were all
colored, as were all the parties ca ed
at this session.
Lawyer Ware had the defense in this
case in charge.
Pritchett was put on the stand, and
though he could not give the time Of
the occurrence, his testimony was clear
enough as to having had pair of re-
volvers pointed to his face, one in the
hands of Isaiah Buck, and the other
in the hands of Levi Wright. Bucks
pistol was discharged after he had sew
eral times threatened to shoot him and
to shoot his ID black head off,
the ball passed his head and lodged
above the mantel in the wall. Several
other witnesses testified to the general
circumstances of the row which oe-
Cured at the house of Charity Groees
on the night of January 30th last, dur
ing which a pistol was discharged.
Buck told very harmless story Of
the affair. He went to the house In a
very peaceful manner, but while there
he bought pint of liquor of Pritchett
(Pritchett claimed on the stand that
he was a member of church, and did
not sell rum) for which he paid 30
cents. FIR m this the fuss grew.
1t all looked like a pretty black
affair, requiring the attentions of the
next Grand Jury.
The cases well all concluded and
then, in n few short words Judge
Hoagland gave Judgement.
John Il. Wilmer was tnc guilty
and sentenced to six months in Jail
sherman Pierce was found guilty.
and sentenced to three months in iail.
Isaiah Buck was found guilty of
assault only and sentenced to four
months in jail.
Court taea adjourned