The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-11-14
CLARENCE COOPER on TRIAL.



rage Little Elsie Grant.
Immediately after the opening OF
court this morning Deputy Attorney.
General Giles called the case Of the
State vs.. Clarence Cooper. colored.
who Is charged with committing an
assault upon l2-year-old Elsie Grant,
with intent to ravish her. The assault
took place ON the 26th day OF April
iast, at the child's home.
EssIE on THE STAND.
Eeele Grant was then placed on the
stand. She resides on french street
above Eighth. She knew the TT soner
at tho bar. On April 81 Mrs. Kebecca
Grant left her in the house baking
buckwheat cakes, and while she was
absent Cooper came into the house.
He said nothing TO her, but threw her
to the floor. She resisted. With q
knife which she was turning the cakes
she cut him. Hearing footsteps Cooper
left her and went out into the yard.
but In few minute5 returned and
again threw her on the floor. When
he left the house Cooper told her not
to tell her mother.
Harry q. Turner cross-examined the
witness. Cooper had often come to
their house before. When Cooper en-
tered tile house no threw her down
without saying a word. She did MT
cry. 1t was between o and 10 O'Clock
In the morning, and he en- erod the
honse through rear door. she made
on resistance outside OF tell ~ him to
let her up. She made no loud out
break. She went to school that after.
noon without telling her mother what
had happened.
on the following Monday. the at
tempted assault having taken place
the preceding Wednesday. her mother
found stains on her clothing, and she
then questioned her about what had
occurred. Essie would not tell, where.
upon her mother said she would take
her to doctor for examination. Bho
then sald Cooper made the attempt.
She then left the stand.
Kebecca Grant. the chlid's mother.
was sworn. On April 20 last. she re-
sided at No, Sl3 French street. She
knew Ciaronca Cooper. She left the
house about = o'clock and did not re-
turn for an hour. On the following
Monday she found blood on her under
clothing. Nothing Lew was revealed
In the cross-examinatlon.
Detective Walter Wltsii testified to
making tho arrest In Philadelphia
about month after the attempt was
committed; he visited several plucss
In this city and located him at the
GUT in Phlla delphia. where he was
arrested.
The State here rested.
Clarence Cooper, the prisoner, took
the stand and deposed. he 10 80 ysars
OF nge, 16 or II OF which he lived In
Wilmington; he lived with family of
the name OF Burton on OF about the
Goth day OF last April. He went an or.
rand for the little girls mother; after
coming back he stood with the little
girl while she baked cakes, went into
his own homo and went down town
for a while and went buck again.
Deposed to the mother, accusing
him of committing tic crime. He
further testified to going to Philadei-
pEia. Nothing improper occurred be-
tween the little girl AMI himself on the
goth of April. Ito had been in the
habit of going into Grants house to
go erraEd5,
In cross examination lie deposed he
knew Essie Grant since last fail. He
was ut home on French street tho
night before the 10Th OF April. Went
to bed about II O'Clock and got up
| next morning about O'Clock, He re.
pcatcd lis direct evidence rs to 81 ay-
| ing In the house with l.ssin Grant. She
never struck at him with tho butcher
knife. He wa sure she had Il butcher
knife In her hand turning the cukes
that morning.
John Kyle, livery stable keeper, tes-
titled to Cooper 3 character us good.
Sarah Burton and Jacob Burton,
James Dale and Mis-. Sarah Dalo, and
James tIungay testitied to the good
reputation or the prisoner.
Deputy Attorney Giles asked the
court to instruct the jury as to the
nature of tho case.
lie then addressed the iuI and said
| that all that was promised had been
/ proved. All the evidence Of tho wit
| nesses Tor tho State had Jeen unim-
penched. lie reviewed tho evidence at
| length, He ably dwelt on the attempts
of tho prisoner. II tlereis any crime
on this earth wlere II man is to forfeit
| his life. 1t is TINT of u rape.
Mr.. Cooper then addressed the Jury
| for the prisoner AMI reviewed the
| States witnesses evidence. Do you
believe Tint this girl went on baking
cakes for one hour after these two as
eaults? lie dwelt on the fact that the
| garments were not produced. This
| mnn'e honor and liberty is at stake,
and remember the Inconsistency Of
| the evidence of the prosecuting wit
ness and the mother.
! The blood-stalned garments should
be here. Why are they not? Earring
the improrabiiity of this little girl
seeing he man. and alive. all consider
the baking OF buciwholt cakes. I
leave the case In your hands.
Mr.. Turner also addressed the jlry.