Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1892-02-29
THE EVIDENCE ALL IN.
Argument In the williams Damage
Case Begun.


Lawyer Mccullough as an Txpsr,- Evil
demos Showing PROV marrlag -NIeids
objects 10 coroner's Inquest Pro-
ceedings.
The Superior Court met at 10 o'clock
this morning.
The damage suit Of Anna Maria VIII
liams was resumed
Tie argument for and against the In
PRODUCTION OF evidence going TO show
that Joeuha Williams was married 10
Annie Hsckett before he married Jane
Tate was completed on Saturday after
noon and this morning the court decided
that evidence Of that kind was admis-
sible. The court held that mar.
riage could be proved BY
reputation and Capitalization; that II
persons live together publicly as man
and wife Il Is to all intents and purposes
legal marriage unless II becomes In
volved In a suit for bigamy, IN which
case ceremony with at least
two witnesses, must be established
10 the satisfaction OF the Jury. Mr.
Nields informed the court that he would
not make any exception 10 the decision.
Thomas Garsuch Of Baltimore testified !:
II am local preacher aud deacon Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church / was ac-
quainted with the late John Reese
know that he was an ordained minister.
Here is q record OF quarterly conference
held In 1851 by Mr. Reese"
Rev. John Y Doobins d. D., pastor OF
Grace NJ. 2 Church Of this city, exenpli-
fed the rules Of the church authorizing
persons TO perform the marriage cere
mony.
Joseph Arthur again took the stand aud
swore that he knew Mr.. Reese to DO an
ordained minister of the Gospel
Mary Hewett, colored, sw1re that VII
liams married her sister, Annie Haekett
The ceremony was performed at Reese
Mills "befoh de wsh. They lived together
as man and wife. Four children were the
fruits Of the union. They are still
living Her sister died about nine years
ago Williams married the woman Tate
after the war Her sister, his wife wss
alive ~ the time.
Benz amin Williams swore that he was
brother Of the deceased man. he knew
that Anna Hackett was JoshuR's first
wife. and that he deserted her to take up
with Jane Tate BE did not marry TIE
plaintiff In this case until his first and
true wife was dead
j Maxton Hammond swors that Mr..
Bonner said that be ordeded Joshuu
Williams and julius Hummel In the acid
chamber.
Mr. Nlelds objected TO the testimony OF
several witnesses who were recalled by
Mr.. Vandegrlft and his objections wer'
sustained
AN EXPERT WITNESS.
Henry NJ Mccullough Of Elkton. Nd
was placed on the stand he testified tina
he was a member Of the Cecil county bar
Vandegrift-"What was the law Of
Maryland prior TO 1860 as 60 the marrias
Of fee colored peopeT
McCullough-'1t is found Ia Poe's
Code republished 10 1890. The law wat
passed in 1867 and is known as chspte
423 II legalizes all marriages prior &
that date between those VIII,
lived In the married state Az,
believed themselves 10 be legally married
provided they went before justice o
the peace, minister or other person hav
ing the right to marry, aud Obtained
certificate.
THE CoRONER's EVIDENCE.
Mr.. Vandegrift then offered In ev
dance the testimony adduced before IA
coroner's jury. Mr.. Nlelds objss;e
on the ground that It woul
! not be accurate. He looked owe
the evidence, and Just as be said
II am perfectly willing that Il should &
in evidence" Mr.. Vandegrift said. ~
, It pleases your honors, | withdraw L..
II was withdrawn.
The witnesses on both sides were dii
charged.
!, Mr. Pickett then presented TO III
court the prayers Of the plaintiff. an
. cited numerous authorities
a Court theu took q recess until 2
1 | o'clock this afternoon