The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-12-17
AN AMUSING TRIAL.
AMan Fined for Breaking and
Entering a House.
Other Sentences---The Hill Suit Against
the City on Trial.

An old. unattractive, and many -times-used
pair of overalls. worn hy a hard working.
colored teamster, came near causing murder
in October last, according TO the testimony
introduced by the State in the trial of the
indictment against William Maxwell, charged
with an assault with a dangerous weapon on
one James Edward Ford.
Both Mr.. Maxwell and Mr.. Ford are negroes
and resided on the 2Uth OF October at tho
house of Mrs. Ford. mother of the latter
gentleman, 6l Wickenden street. Accor ling
to Ford's testimony, he arrived home just
about l2 o'clock on the night mentioned. and
Maxwell accused him OF having On his over
alls He denied this accusation, and then
Maxwell asked him IL he did not xnow that
he, Maxwell, would kill him for the overalls.
though they were not worth three cents To
this question Mr.. Ford replied by asking
Maxwell where he buried his dead men.
Ford testifes that when this remark fell ON
Maxwell's ears. the latter put his hand TO his
hip pocket. drew revolver and fred but
Ford went down the cellar. and the bullets
entered some of the staircase. instead of
Ford's body.
On cross-examination, Mr.. Ford stated the
overslls belonged to Portuguese sailor,
who was now on the high seas, and who was
using Mr.. Ford's razor several times week.
Mamie Ross, who according TO her own
story. assisted Mrs. Ford in the management
of the house on Wickenden street, testified 20
hearing a revolver fired when she was in the
dining room OF the house.
Police officer Willard and Lieutenant O Neill
testified to tho arrest of Maxwell, and to
some statements made by HIM.
Maxwell was the only witness for his side
OF the case. He testified that Ford drew
razor on him. and that he never fired re-
volyer charged in the indictments. the o1ly
pistol he ever had being the brokon one taken
from him when he was arrested.
There were several incidents connected
with the trial. that kept Judge. jury. counsel
and others present in good hnmor.
The jury promptly returned n verdict CT
guilty. and the person was sent to states
prison for Is months.
Attorney General Dubois for the State. and
George II. Huddy. Jr., for the defendant.
William sordan and Albert Young indicted
for breaking into the house OF Mrs. Elsie W.
King on September 10. and stealing nearly
everything Of a lightweight nature in the
house, retracted their former pleas OF guilty
and pleaded nolo.
j. y. Began. counsel for Young. made an
earnest plea TO the court Tor a lixat fine.
Judge Wilbur granted the request of Mr..
Began, and fined Young 500. Sordan was
sentenced to II months in jail.
SUIT AGAINST THE CITY.
The suit Of Joseph Hills and wife against
the city OF Providence to recover damages to
their property on Harold street in 1891. due
To the grading of Gladstone avenue. was
tried before Judge Rogers and jury today
The plaintiffs claim that b-fore a sewer was
built on Academy avenue, the water OF IA large
territory west OF Gladstone avenue flowed
70 Harold street. and in the year named
the underpinning of their TWO houses was
rendered unsafe, and the houses seriously
dairag The amount sued for 5000.