Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-08-03
FIRST BLOOD FOR RILEY.
Lattonus Held for Carrying Con-
cealed a Deadly Weapon.


A Great Turnout OF Lower County Peo-
pie to Attend the Hearing at Black
bird. N
Another phase of the Townsend i'm
broglio was developed Thursday.
Old man Riley, who is under bail for
appearance at court to answer the
charge of setting fire to the Lattomus
hay rick, has long been regarded as of
unsound mind, and recently, at the re-
quest of members of his family, DIR.
Enos of Appoquinimink and DR.. Now
land of St. Georges hundreds, made an
examination to ascertain his mental
condition. They unhesitatlngly pro-
nounced him insane, and gave a certiti-
cate TO that effect, On Thursday Con-
stable Grandon Reed, armed with this
certificate, started after Riley for the
purpose OF taking him to the State In.
sane Asylum at Farnhurst, but Riley
could not be found. He had left the
neighborhood, evidently to avoid being
taken To Farnhurst.
The claim of Riley that Mr.. Lattomus
is indebted to him in the sum OF $1,000
or $4,000 is generally regarded as the
wild Imagination Of disordered mind.
Several years ago Mr.. Lattomus bought
peaches of Mr. Riley, in pursuance of a
contract, but some of the fruit not com.
ing up to the terms of the agreement,
was rejected. Subsequently the agree
ment was amended, verbally, and the
amended agreement carried out 10 the
letter. Mr.. Lattomus had other and
later dealings with Mr.. Riley, and car
ried them out faithfully and with entire
satisfaction on both sides.
MIppLETowN. July 2s.-"Hello, going to
| Black bird ~ was the salutation met with
| on every side this morning on the streets
| Of Middletown, and large number of
| citizens attended the celebrated Riley
| Lattomus trial that came off there. Pro-
| ceedings opened with the charge brought
| against Thomas Lattomus for carrying
| concealed deadly weapon. The plaintiff,
| William d. Riley, was represented by y. X.
| Cochran, Jr.. who ably supported his client
| and demanded that the defendant be held
| for court The defendant eontended that
he was not carrying concealed weapon,
as he had the revolver in his hand for
protection and merely laid it down beside
him while attending the proceedings rela'
! tive to the firing of his straw ricks,
although Constable Duhadaway assured
him he would not be harmed.
The evidence being taken and the attor.
neys having spoken their little pieces,
Squire Deasyhe, in a neat little address
decreed the charge sufficiently proven tc
warrant him in holding Lattomus In S20t
bail for his appearance at court. Bail wa:
promptly furnished and so the first hghl
rested It was verify gala day for Black
bird, and the citizens turned out en- masse
while the farmers for miles around fiocket
into town in every conceivable kind o
vehicle.
Regarding the proposed commitment O
Mr.. Riley to the insane asylum, promi
nent physician of this town said las
night: Il attended Mr.. Riley for varioui
ailments during the time he resided il
this town, and must say | found nothing
that would indicate insanity. He would
grow excited when his financial trouble
were mentioned, but aside from that
found him very sane person. Indeed
considering the misfortunes which hay
overwhelmed him." Mr.. Riley was no
hiding from the constable, yesterday. Hi
presence was requested in Wilmington
and he was there in company with his al
torney.
The case has occasioned widespread in
terest, but nowhere more than here, q
every person is taking one side or th
, other, and 1t is the chief theme of CONVEX
| sation throughout the town.