Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-10-12
COURT IN SUSSEX COUNTY
Sudden Ending of the George
town Fire Bug Case.
IGNORED BY THE GRAND JURY
Editor of the "Laurel Gazette
Indicted for Libel.
Interesting Session of the Sussex County
Court at Georgetown, This week--The
Prettyman Case Falls in the Grand Jury

Sussex county court was in progress |
at Georgetown all last week. The famous
Solomon T. Stevens and Charles II. Wilson |
case, charged with attempt to burn
Stevens store in this town, went up in
smoke or rather evaporated. Wilson,
who had previously appeared before
Esquire Thompson and confessed that he
had fired the building and that Stevens
had hired him to do 1t, now went before
the grand jury and swore with great posi-
tiveness that he knew nothing about the
fire and that he was home and in bed
when the fire occurred. AS there was no
positive proof, the grand jury could do
nothing else but ignore the bill.
The facts are that an attempt was made
to burn the store and many Of our citi-
zens believe that Stevens offered Wilson
inducements to do the deed. 1t was an
awful act and Georgetown narrowly es-
capped being wiped out. IL caused great
excitement at the time, and only the
presence of Detective Witsil saved Stevens
from the wrath of the people.
In the case of State VS.. David H. Pretty
man. charged with intent to commit
felonious assault on little girl at Seaford,
the bill was also ignored, there not being
shadow of evidence to implicate Mr..
Prettyman. This is considered a case of
blackmailing and an outrage upon Mr..
| Prettyman, who has been compelled to lay
| is said to be the result of denominational
| prejudice and Mr.. Prettyman has been
| heralded through the papers as a Methodist
| minister, when he is only private men,
| Der of that church.
Seventeen bills were considered By the
| grand jury; twelve true bills were found
| and five ignored. After visiting the aims
house, Thursday, and handing in their re-
port, the jury was discharged with the
| thanks of the court,
CASES BEFORE THE COURT.
State VS.. G.. w. McLain, charged with
having a photograph tent at the Sound
campmeeting in violation of the rules and
| privileges Of the camp, true bill was
found and Mr.. McLain plead guilty and
asked the clemency Of the court, and was
fined 81 and required to pay the costs of
prosecution.
Lulu S. Sorden of Northwest Fork
hundred, pleaded guilty to the larcency of
$40, property of Mary A. Wiley, and was
sentenced to pay SO restitution money,
the costs of prosecution and be imprisoned
three months.
John Walker, colored, of Seaford hun.
bred, indicted for the larceny of watch
from Harry G. Darbee was convicted and
sentenced to pay $50 restitution money,
the costs of prosecution and on Saturday
October 9TH, be whipped with 20 lasheS
and be imprisoned for six months.
John Burton of Cedar Creek hundred
indicted for receiving stolen goods, thu
property of Bevins NJ. Cain, pleaded
guilty and was sentenced to pay $40 resti
tuition money, the costs of prosecution an'
on Saturday, October 9TH, to stand on
hour in the pillory, and to be imprisone'
: three months.
Three true bills were found against Johi
II. Thawley of Bridgeville, for sellinl
. liquor without license, and were continues
, until April term, 1891.
, Maggie Stewart. culorPd, of Northwes
} Fork hundred, was indicted for larceny o
berry tickets from Henry Z. Cannon am
, case continued till April term, 1884.
: Samuel |. Roop, editor of the Laurie
Gazette was indicted for libel of Isaac
/. Wootten Of Laurel. Case continued.
!, Cases against Henry Wiley for sellin
9 liquor without license and disturbing n
!, ligious meeting were continued.
!, The grand jury reported the almshous
and premises in good condition, e1ceI
J, that some of the buildings need repair
:, ing, the Jail in fair condition and prison
a ers we'll cared for, and the court house
!, good repair.
On Wednesday the case of Cordrey v
IS Godfrey, being an appeal from judt
ment rendered by Justice, was con
menced. The dispute was over the quantit
j. of charcoal delivered by plaintiff to d
PENDANT. r. @. White for plaintiff and
5, II. Boyce and ]. NJ. Richardson for defel
r, dant. There were number Of witness
RI on each side and the case was fully argue
), Thursday morning the jury rendered
verdict for plaintiff for amount claimed.
lie After this case was determined the cou
lie heard an argument, taking up the rest
the day, upon the authority of the seizu
of vessels engaged in the menhaden tishel
in Delaware bay. W. +. Brown of Il
Philadelphia bar, and James Pennewill
Dover, appeared for the vessels, and A
IN torney- General Nicholson for the captol
IN After very full argument the court toe
the matter under advisement and will re
ID der decision at the April term 1894.
~ Friday morning the case of Charles
. Isaacs VS.. George II. Messick, replevin
q goods secured by chattel mortgage, a sci
y, facias having been issued upon same al
It's judgment obtained. II. q. White appear
IN for plaintiff and G. w. Cullen for defen
ID ant. Verdict for defendant.