davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-02-04
MURDER OF THE SECOND DEGREE.
John *. Lodge Convicted and Sentence,
to imprisonment for Life.

John *. Lodge Convicted and Sentenced
| to imprisonment for Life.
| Special Correspondence OF Gazette and Journal
GEORGETOWN, Jan. 30.-There ended
| in the court house here last night, one
| OF the most interesting trials that has
occupied the time and attention of the
courts OF this county, and perhaps of
this State, for many years. It is that of
the State VS.. John X. Lodge, who was
indicted at the October term of this
court in 1891, for murder in the second
degree, for committing criminal opera
ton resulting in death, upon the person
oil Martha |. Evans of Indian River hun
dred, in July of the same year.
Judge Grubb tried the case and
Judges Houston and Cullen were also
upon the bench, the chief Justice being
still confined to his home in Dover with
sickness. The State was represented
by both Attorney general Biggs and
Deputy Attorney general Davis; the
prisoner by A. z. Robinson and r. c.
White.
Mr. Davis, at the conclusion of the
testimony Thursday afternoon, adj
dressed the jury ip an able speech,
reviewing the evidence offered by the
State and he closed with strong plea
for conviction. He was followed BY
Mr.. White, whose principal effort was
to weaken the force Of the dying
declarations of Mrs. Evans, which had
been admitted by the court in evidence,
and which pointed strongly to the
prisoner as the guilty party.
AT 10 o'clock, yesterday morning, Mr.,
Robinson also spoke in the prisoners
behalf, occupying the attention of the
jury and the court until noon. His
speech lasted nearly two hours, and was
a powerful summing up in the prisoners
favor.
Encouragement Biggs commenced
the closing argument for the State at
the conclusion of Mr.. Robinson's adj
dress, but was interrupted in his re-
marks few minutes before time for
adjournment by the announcement that
one OF the jurors was sick. Mr.. Biggs
closed his argument during the after
noon and Judge Grub charged the
jury.
Ii was late in the evening before the
case went to the jury. They deliberated
until nearly midnight and then rendered
verdict of guilty of murder of the
second degree.
Lodge was sentenced by Judge Cullen
to pay fine of $1,000 and costs and be
imprisoned for the balance of his natural
life.
From the commencement of the trial,
ON WednesdayHmorning, the court room
was crowded to its utmost capacity by
eager and attentive spectators, who not
only occupied the floor of the court
room, but had actually invaded and
occupied much of the space reserved for
the court. The family of the accused
man, consisting of his wife and four
small children, the youngest of which is
a small infant, were present and occu-
pied space near the prisoners dock
during the trial
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-02-04
GIBBONS IN THE PILLoRY.
He Undergoes "a Part of Ills Sentence
Saturday Morning.

William j. Gibbons, sentenced at las
weeks session of court for burning on,
of the barns of i. |. du Pont d,
Nemours ~ Company, underwent cor
poral punishment at New Castle Satur
day morning. He was brought from his
cell at 11.30 o'clock and placed in the
pillory by one of the wardens. lie stood
one hour in this position without suf.
fering much physical torture. His hands
and feet were securely manacled, as is
customary, and the prisoner was allowed
TO stand facing the north in order Ia
shield him from the wind.
He showed very little signs of rest
lessness or fatigue while undergoing hia
punishment, except at odd times when
he suffered from the cold Then he
would beat tattoo upon the platform
of the pillory or open and clinch his
fist, benumbed with cold. At other
times he glanced furtively about him at
the throng of spectators, and withdraw
ing his eyes from the crowd, would ex-
pectorate on the ground.
When the prisoner was first placed in
the pillory about 100 persons had gath
cred to witness the punishment, but by
noon this crowd had increased to $50
spectators, At 1890 o'clock Gibbons
was released from the pillory and taken
back to the cell.
AT o'clock the crowd were awaiting
the arrival of Sheriff Simmons from
Wilmington to whip the prisoner.
WARDEN TUCKER YIELDS THE CAT.
At 1.45 p. m. telephone message
was received from the court house that,
if the sheriff, who was driving over
from Wilmington, failed to arrive in
time (by 2 p. M Warden Tucker should
WELD the lash.
Consequently at 1.55 p. m. Gibbons
was brought out and made fast to the
post. The sentence was then read by
Deputy Sheriff Simmons, after which
Warden Tucker laid on the IS lashes
very lightly. The whipping was only
sufficient to slightly redden the culprit's
back. Wouldn't kill mosquito" re-
marked one Of the bystanders.
Warden Tucker had been i'll and had
been directed by his physician to remain
indoors and to avoid violent exercise.
The delay had tired out many of those
who had gathered earlier, so that only
about 30 of them waited TO sec the
whipping.
The intliction of this punishment by
any other than the sheriff in person has
bcca SO rare in this county that many
supposed the law to restrict its admins
tration to the sheriff, or, in case of his
absence or disability, the coroner. But
the law provides that the whipping may
be done by the sheriff, his deputy or
constable.
Gibbons bore the pain without vino
ing, chewing tobacco steadily, and left
the post with grin on his face.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-02-04
A KNoTry Legal rAYGIE
Complicated Case Pending before Squire
Frank II. Smith.

Quite a complicated legal suit has
been pending before Justice of the Peace
Frank Il. Smith for the past few days,
which has required all the wisdom of
the experienced magistrate and two
keen lawyers to decide. Tho suit origi-
mated in this way:
A short time ago Robert Crooks, who
kept tobacco store at No. S11 Market
street, decided to close out business and
looked about for a purchaser of the
goods. This person was found in Samuel
Fellheimer, No. S12 Market street. The
latter, it seems, did not care to purchase
the goods from Crook, but signified his
willingness to buy them from an agent.
Consequently, in order to make q
sale, 1t is stated, Crooks disposed of his
stock Of tobacco to Harry w. Carpenter,
O clerk, who in turn was to make a sale
with Fellheimer. The latter then pur-
chased the goods and made a partial
payment of $40 on them. Carpenter
turned this money over to Crooks, but a
subsequent payment, it is claimed, he
failed to turn over to his employer
Crooks then brought suit against Fell
heimer for the recovery Of the money,
retaing ii. G. Conrad as counsel. Fell
heimer secured City Solicitor William
Il. Lyman. Fellheimer answered to the
suit but claimed he did not owe Crooks
anything, he having made the purchase
of Carpenter. This suit was then
dropped, Crooks Immediately garnishee-
ing Fellheimer TO answer for the sum of
money he owed Carpenter, ii having
been found that Carpenter had neglected
to turn over the second payment, which
Fellheimer claims he made him, to
Crooks.
As set-off against the amount Crooks
demanded from Fellheimer the latter
put in a claim of $45.11 against Harry
w. Carpenter, who was Crooks clerk,
Fcllheimer claiming that when Carpen-
ter and his brother were in the cigar
business together, some years ago, they
had contracted debt amounting to the
above figure which had never been
liauidated. Matters became more com
plicated than ever, the magistrate in the
meantime being asked to decide this
very knotty legal problem in a satisfac-
tory and equitable way which he eventu-
ally did.
Squire Smith decided that partner
ship debt was not a proper set-off
against an individual debt. Matters
have thus been terminated so far, there
being judgment entered against Car
perter for the balance Of the receipts
from the sale of the cigars, while Fell
heimer is garnisheed to answer for the
money he owes Carpenter, which right
fully belongs TO Crooks.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-02-04
FIRE AmoNa nAKnooKs.
A Blaze In the Office of Judge Ball Sat-
urday Morning Does Considerable Dam

uruay morning Does Considerable Dam
age.
About 8 o'clock Saturday morning
flames were found issuing forth from
the law offices of Judge J.. Frank Ball
and Henry G. Turner, No. 1888 Market
street. In a few minutes the offices
were enveloped in flames. Some one who
was passing noticed the fire and at once
struck fire-alarm box No. z, in front of
Willis Hotel. The fire department re-
sponded Immediately. A stream of
water was turned upon the blaze by
forcing an entrance through the door
way and into the room where the fire
was hottest. The flames were then ex-
tinguished, but not until they had en-
tailed loss of about $500 to the fixtures
in the room and large number of law
books.
The fire originated, it is supposed,
from an open CRATE, which the janitor
says he carefully banked for the night.
The floor was burned close by the CRATE.
The flames burned clear through the
floor into the real estate office of e. d.
Il. Sutton, below. 1t is q strange sight
to see q narrow stretch burned clear
across the room, from the side where the
open CRATE is TO the opposite wall. The
fire seems to have caught on to two Cir
ders under the floor and following these
girders it burned n narrow strip in the
floor about one foot wide from one side
OF the room to the other. The heat from
the fire and the flames became so intense
that two large book cases, filled with
books, were partially destroyed. The
flames also scorched the furniture in the
rear room and the walls and doors are
ruined. The carpet is damaged by water.
AS result of the fire, a stuffed owl
which was mounted and resting on the
mantelpiece just over the crate whore
the flames burst up, was almost burned
to crisp. Its plumage is singed and
plackened and its eyes are bullying from
from their sockets. The damage sus-
tanned by Judge Ball will not fall short
OF $500, upon which there is not dollar
OF insurance. The loss to the building,
which is owned by Mr.. Sutton, will be
about 500, fully covered by insurance.
Judge Ball expressed his utmost salts
faction on Saturday as to the way in
which the firemen managed the fire and
prevented its doing still more damage.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-02-04
THE WARREN's NEW HOME
Purchase of the Gibbons Residence ms a
Club House for the Warren Athletic
Elnf,

|
Club.
The fine property No. sos West street,
the residence of the late William G.. Glib.
bons, was purchased on Friday through
| Head IL Co. for 1900 for the purposes
Of a clubhouse for the Warren Athletic
| Club.
The property has a frontage of 81 feet
on West street and extends $50 deep TO
| Washington street. The building will be
remodeled for club needs A brick GYM
nasium with bowling alley will be built,
and If there be room for it a swimming
bath will be added
Within the past year or two the success
of the Warren Athletic Club has been
remarkable. 1t is. beyond question the
most popular athletic organization ever
established in Wilmington. 1t now num-
bers between $50 and 1875 members. The
fact of its vigor and strength and its pres
ent success is largely due to its being so
well differed. The public exhibitions of
the club are always looked forward to by
the community with special interest. On
these occasions the Opera House is crowded
to excess. The exhibitions are always of a
| first-class order.
by Charles f.. Kohlerman and John 5.
Lockard in 1885. II was named after the
revolutionary hero, Gen. Joseph Warren.
II is stated that there is proposition on
the carpet to change the clubs name to
the Wilmington Athletic Club.'
The. Warren was originally a social
organization and its athletic birth was at
the moment when two of the members
sauntered up stairs with pair of dumb
bells to the second story Of the Washing
ton engine house and there exercised them
selves. 1t was then proposed to establish
an athletic instead of social organization
The old name of Warren was retained
Tor the new organization. In 1886 the club
moved from the Washington engine house
TO the second story of the Third street
market, Third and King streets. On March
18th the club left these quarters as thew
had already been leased. The Hare prop
erty on French street above Second was
rented. The location was not an attractive
one and the membership divided. Those
who remained, however, put their
shoulders to the wheel and manfully
worked for the clubs rebuilding. The
membership increased to 105 and an I'M
successful effort was made to build club
house on Fourth street below Walnut. The
Warren members moved to their presant
quarters in the Red Mems Hall on March
10Th, 1889, Since then the career of the
organization has been one of unbrolSen
prosperity,
The new movement of purchasing
permanent house is due to the fact of lack
Of room for the legitimate purposes of the
club,
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-02-04

At orphans court at noon Saturday or
the petition of Samuel w. McCaulley
Lorenzo V. Baylis was appointed
guardian for his four minor children
Levi Bird and William F. Lyman ap.
peared for the petitioner Maggie NJ
Walsh who asked that her guardian
Julius Ricard be discharged, Henry O.
Turner with Judge Ball appeared fol
Ricard. The examination OF the peti.
toner by MIR. Bird developed the facts
that the first time she heard of Julius
Rlcard being her guardian was in the
office Of the register Of the orphans court
when Mr.. Turner and Mr.. Ricard were
present and when the clerk, Mr.. Nc
Whorter read to her the document petit
tioning that Ricard be made her guar
dun. She stated also that it is her
belief that Ricard became her guardian
not for her advantage but for some other
purpose.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-02-04

There was intense excitement in and
about the Maritime Exchange Mon.
day, says the Philadelphia Inquirer, and
from the opening until the close the
officials had their hands full answering
inquiries as to the truth of the report
from the captain of the steamship
Sumatra that he had passed, nine miles
southeast of Cape Hcnlopen, the stand
ing topmasts of sunken vessel, appar-
emily steamer.
The North American Insurance Com
pany were, as usual, on the alert, and at
once dispatched their powerful wreck
ing tug North America, Captain Glib
bonss, to the locality to gain further par
ticulars.
AFTER THE RUNDOWN.
Late in the afternoon Captain Gibbons
returned to the Breakwater and reported
that the wreck was undoubtedly there.
exactly as described. 1t was, no doubt,
that OF steamer, and lay in 81 fathoms
of water. Cape Henlopen light bore from
the wreck N. 80 degrees, w. true; Indian
River life saving station S. 70 degrees,
w. true. There was no floating wreck.
age in the vicinity, but, the sea being
rough, the North America kept off and
Will make another trip to-day if the
weather moderates.
There was considerable crowd
waiting at the wharf at pier SO when
the Sumatra came in about noon, and
the captain, officers and crew were
eagerly questioned as to the wreck they
had seen, but could only repeat what
has already been reported.
All hands agreed, however, that it
was undoubtedly q steamer, and from
the appearance of the spars, rigging,
and the flag especially, the disaster APP
peared to be a recent one.
PAINFUL POSSIBILITY.
1t is thought in shipping circles that
it might possibly be one of the coast
steamers which ply between New York,
Philadelphia, Baltimore and the West
Indies. From the fact that the signal of
distress is still flying it is evident she
was abandoned in great hurry or else
were engulfed so suddenly that all
hands went down in the raging waters.
Even had the crew taken to the boats
they were not so far from land and
ought to have got ashore somewhere.
1900 NAAS S3NAAAaA OPltllO1
by seamen and pilots.
INTENSE ANXIETY.
Meanwhile untold anxiety is felt by
those having relatives and friends on
vessels which are about due.
The Merritt Wrecking Company will
to-day, if the weather is moderate, dis
patch one of the powerful tugs provided
with divers, and try and ascertain some
thing about the lost vessel.
A FRUITLEss MISSION.
Z. r. Sherwood, secretary of the Mar.
thine Exchange, was at the Breakwater
all day Sunday and Monday endeav-
oring to secure some information in re-
gard 10 it, but failed in all except verify
ing the fact that the wreck existed.
II have had no success in getting any
details of the matter" said he last
night, "and have just returned from
there after SO hours of hard work. 1t is
very probable that none of the passen-
gers or crew have survived, as | heard
nothing of them while was there. All
l can say is that there is wreck and
that nothing further is known"
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-02-04
RECKLESS BURGLARS YORK.
They Enter a Cracker Bakery and Are
In Danger of Being Blown Up by a
Lighted Torch.

They Enter a Cracker Bakery and Are
In Danger of Being Blown Up by a
Lighted Torch.
Some time Sunday night youthful
burglars forced their way into the steam
cracker and cake bakery of w. & j. Lang,
northeast corner of Fifth and French
streets, and helped themselves to the
edibles in store there. After partaking
of all the sweetmeats they wanted, the
burglars made their exit without being
perceived by any one.
An entrance was effected by prying
open trap door leading into the base,
ment of the establishment. An iron bolt
which fastened the door was wrenched
from its grasp and then the burglars
had only to walk in. Once inside they
looked about them in search of some
means of getting up into the room over
head, where good SUPPLY Of candies,
crackers and cakes were on hand. They
caught sight of an elevator used in
hosting material from the basement to
the store room and mounting the elevator
pulled themselves up stairs. Here they
completely ransacked goods ready for
shipment and then made their escape.
In passing from room to room the boys
carried a lighted candle, which was
placed in the mouth Of large cartridge
shell filled with powder. The shell was
of the pattern used in a breech-loading
shotgun, and had the candle burned
down to the wick an explosion would
have followed, probably with serious
results to the person holding the light.
Fortunately the candle did not set off
the powder and the burglars escaped ac-
cident.
This is the second or third time
burglaries of this nature have been
committed at this establishment. In no
instance have the culprits been over
hauled. They are supposed to be
gang of boys who ioiter about the
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-02-04
My DE HIS WIDOK.
inquiry Received by Deputy Coroner
Giles Concerning Albert Smith.

ofN' AAUtTt Stilitns
II has been over two weeks since the
body of an unknown man was found
lying under trestle between Edge Moor
and Shellpot, on the Philadelphia, Will
mington & Baltimore railroad. The re-
mains were brought to the mOrgue and a
jury of inquisition summoned to inquire
into the cause of the mans DEATH On his
person was found a key-ring bearing the
name, "Albert Smith, Cornwall, n. Y,
also letter from the Bristol Manufactur-
ing Company and letter addressed
"Albert Smith, Red Bank, N. j." The in
quest was held open for nearly week to
allow Coroner Sparks and Deputy Coroner
Giles to establish the identity of the de-
ceased, but all efforts in this respect proved
fruitless. Consequently the remains were
inferred in pottcr's field.
Nothing further was heard of the matter
until on Friday when Deputy Coroner
Giles received Il letter from Mrs Hannah
Smith, Mott Haven, n. ~, dated January
18th, 1892, and asking whether the body Of
Albert Smith was yet buried. She re-
qucsted an answer by wire, Deputy Cor
oner Giles says lie Immediately wired Mrs.
smith that the remains of Albert Smith
had been inferred in potter's field, and
enclosed a clipping from THE GAZETTE,
containing an account of the finding of the
body and the holding Of the inquest. 1t is
thought Mrs. Smith is the wife of the
deceased and may have the remains dis
Inferred and sent to New York.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-02-04

Announcement is made by the New
York Morning Journal that the Grand
Central Hotel, where many Wilmington
people have been stopping for years
when visiting New York, was closed
recently and application made for a re-
ceiver. The Journal in its issue
of last Monday said: "The Hig-
gins estate, which owns the hotel, has
been pressing for arrears of rent, and 30
days since the proprietors were notified
that legal proceedings would be taken.
Other creditors pressed their claims, and
finally notice of dispossessment was
served on the proprietors. All the guests
were, on Saturday, formally notified to
surrender their rooms by the first Satur-
day in February. Many have done SO
and are at other hotels. Tho employees
will be paid off to-day, and 1875 guests
were Mt the hotel last night wondering
how long it would be open. 1t was in
the Grand Central Hotel that Jim Fisk
was shot by Ed. Stokes in 1871 and the
hotel was then much in yopueu
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-02-04
JESSE B. HUNTER RELEASED.
He Did Not Steal the Horse and wago
From Mr.. Clair as the Latter Claimed

He Did Not Steal the Horse and Wagon
From Mr.. Clair as the Latter Claimed.
A special session of the municipal
court was held on Friday afternoon to
try the case of Jesse B. Hunter of Phila-
delphia, charged by b. Clair with the
larceny of horse and wagon from the
latter's stable at No. 170S North Four
tieth street. Alexander B. Cooper.
ESQ, appeared for. Mr.. Hunter and
proved that his client secured the team
with Clair's consent. This was on
Tuesday evening week. Mr.. Hunter
drove to the home of his brother, Will
liam ]. Hunter, at New Castle, Del.
The horse, in the meantime, became
lame and Mr.. Hunter was unable to
drive it back to Philadelphia.
Clair then had warrant issued for
Hunters arrest and on information fur
nished the Wilmington authorities the
arrest was made Thursday evening
When the case came up on Friday it was
clearly shown that MIR. Hunter. who
comes of highly respected family, was
originally the owner of the team. He
disposed of the team to Clair, however,
for the sum of $126, about one-half its
value, Clair giving him receipt to the
effect that ON the payment OF $l26 he
could again secure the property. Hunter
keeps store in Philadelphia, it was
shown, and it was also proven that Clair
had contracted bill which he had
never since paid Hunter. In addition
to this it was proven that the sale of the
horse to Clair was consummated on
Sunday, this making it entirely void.
Judge Ball, on hearing the testimony,
at once dismissed the case and Hunter
was allowed to go.
Clair has now signifcd his intention
OF issuing writ of replcvin for the re-
covery of tho team from Hunter.