The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-11-05
FIFTH EDITION.
SPENCER AND Bird.
Two colored Democrats Caught Ksu
Handed. -s-~e~2z
WANTED TNsNTY'savs Receipts.
And Furnished SI2o For the
Same, but Peter Lambson,
Thomas E. Brown and David
West are too Sharp for
them Bird Holds Po-
sition Under Senator
Gray-The Way
He is Repaying
His Party at
His Own
1 Peril.

Schemes and devices of the Democratic
leaders and their followers in their strug-
giles Tor u political straw on which to
stem the torrent Of Republioanlsm which
will carry them into the future tomorrow
unheard or uueared for, are coming to
light every day but one OF the best plan'
ned schemes yet adopted and subsequent.
ly nipped Just In time was that which had
for lis object the purchasing OF tax re-
ceipts from colored Republicans by col
ored Demo and heelers.
The Republicans who had equally vel.
laid their plans were Peter Iambson
Thomas Il. Brown and David West. The
Democratic heslers who failed In their un.
dertaking were Edward Spencer and
Elijah Bird the latter holding a position
undor Senator Gray at Washin gton.
The transaction only took business
aspect Saturday evening, but the matter
had been talked over by tho five mon for
several weeks, Peter Lam sen resides at
No. 6l9 Lincoln street and Elijah Bird az
No. 6l3 Lincoln street On thursday
week Bird approached Lambson and said
he would like to makea deal with him Top
the purchase of receipts In tine hands OF
Republican voters and to bD used in
Democratic ranks at tomorrow election.
Bird offered 70 for each and every tax re.
eeipt furnished him and Lanbson replied
that he would get him some at that figure.
There was some immaterlal matters be-
tween that time and Saturday.
Lambson seeing that he had an excel
lent opportunity OF leading the unsus-
piclous Bird into a trap Informed his
friends Bro wn and West OF the oonversa-
tion betwoen them and decided to take
tho 40 two men and a third one into the
little act with hiin. Accordingly Liambson
had Bird meet him at the home OF David
West Saturday evening at 7 o'clock which
appointment Bird kept, only having $50
with him and Iambsoh having iii his po'
session "a receipts Tor which he was to re.
celve $40, the deal was not made. At
this time MIR. Lnmbeon, MIR. West and Bird
wero together and Thomas b. Brown and
second mantwere In hiding near by.
Bird, seeing that no agreement could be
reached said he would go down town and
bring bls partner Ned Spencer, out with
him. He left, but returned again at $40
O'Clock with Spencer. Well l am now
ready to take them" remarked Bird. At
this meeting were the two Democrats and
Lanbson, and In the latter's home. Bird
still hal not enough money TO purchase
the receipts and left the house after ar
ranging u meeting with Lambson sunday
afternoon ut o'clock.
Lambson said this wbili b, stI5fic-
tory 10 him ms he could 20 among the coll
oreu men and obtain more receipts. Ile
engagement was afterwards changed
from , until ) o'clock and the man this
time were to meet at tho homo of David
West where lird came alone and was met
by West. Lambson and Brown, He then
said lie had money Tor twenty receipts
Dut iIilhbbDil Suiu hO utaNi ~
csipte and they We're to be sold In bulk
or not at all. Il cannot tako them all IN.
less YOU como TO my house" said Bird
and "bHside would like TO have some
one witness tho transaction"
1T this stage OF the conversation Bird
said he would go und got Spencer which
he did. THIS tins he was ready to make
tho purchase and upon entering tho room
with Spencer addressed Iamb5on thus!
''Well get item out" and Lambson repli-
I,4,t In pItIfr ID
counting Bird placed III Lnmbson's hand
q roll OF bills amounting to 5llO, which
was SlO les5 than the price Of the receipts.
but which AN cunt wna furnished by Bird
on heing Informed OF the shortage.
Bird now having the receipts in his po-
s'sstun started to leave the room, and 1t
WIS that act on his part which started the
evenings fun. Before he mad reached the
| door Lam bsou COIN manded that no stop
| which command be obeyed and before q
second could elapse the Republican who
had so successfully trapped Bird WAS on
| him and making an effort to recover the
receipts. Then followed row In which
was directly Interested brown, Lam 5son,
/ Bird West and Spencer.
When Lambson took hold of Bird,
! Spencer struck at him. Lambson. with a
! heavy cane but the elow fell short OF its
work. The com otion brought the two
men hiding to the scene and while they
| were turnbling about on the tloor the re-
caIpts were recovered. Seeing that they
had been caught red handed Bird and
Spencer begged for mercy but 1t was not
forth coming. For using tho club they
were repaid and then allowed to leave tho
building Spencer going through the back
yard and escaping over back iiolds aud
| fences. As Bird was leaving he hurled q
brick at dlsiuterested party and then
made his escape.
The colored Republicans told their
| stories this morning in the presence OF a
| Republics reporter