Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-05-30
HELn ~ $1,000.


Ior Iuurt-scelnS fNDt "A OupItht bhohSNb
as tho House Was Not Tenanted.
William !. johnson was arraigned be-
fore Judge Bail in the city court yesterday
morning charged with setting fire TO
house No. 1881 West sixth street oil Mon;
day evening. Johnson WAS represented
by MedfOrd II. Caboon and Henry Z.
Conrad. Deputy AttOrney-general Giles
and City solicitor Elliott appeared Tor the
State. The court room was crowded with
interested spectators.
The first witness called was Virginia
Elsbury, who lives on scott street near
Sixth. About halt an hour before the fire
she saw Johnson drive past. When he got
to Sixth be turned toward the house he
owned. He had in the wagon box and
key, al oil can and some tin pipe,
Mr.. Cahoon. ON cross-examination, tried
hard to shake tho wOman's testimony, but
failed 10 change it in the least.
Martha Hanson of No. 1925 West Sixth
street, testified that she saw Johnson's
wagon standing in front of the house. No.
1881 West Sixth street, short time before
the fire.
Harry Cleaver testified that the house is
insured in the name of Mary a. johnson
for 5000 i'll the New Castle County Mutual
Insurance Co.
William II. Wright of the Union lnsur-
ance Co. Of Philadelphia. testified that the
| house is insured in his company for 900
| in the maine of w. j. Johnson and the
policy is dated February 18th. 1885. The
| policy stated that the insurance IS for sup
| plies, &C., and the place is used as store
house.
Joseph II. Seeney was one Of the most
| important witnesses. He testified that on
| Monday evening lie was working in his
| stable, next door to No. 1871 when he
| noticed the house on fire With two other
men he broke in the house. 4 box filled
with charcoal was burning in room
downstairs and about six inches from the
box was the big oil can. From the smell
the fire made he would say the charcoal
had been saturated with oil. On the floor
was more oil. He went upstairs and found
Il key filed with charcoal, on lire and the
floor was covered with charcoal and trail
of it led to the wall.
Officer Medley testified that he was sum
moned to the fire, and when he got there
he found things III the same shape as
Seeney had described.
officer Manion gave damaging testimony
against johnson. The officer arrested him
about IL o'clock Monday night. He saw
johnson come to the house No. 1871 and
STOPPING down he looked in the cellar
window. When the officer arrested him
johnson said he was looking fora hammer
Sergeant bailey testified that he had The
charcoal boxes and oil cans conveyed tt
the City Hall.
Manderville Anderson was a very plair
witness and gave direct evidence. He saw
johnson at the house No. lI3l early i'll thu
evening. About ii o'clock that night III
saw johnson again and the latter asked
the witness who had started the fire.
Judge Ball here cut the testimony short
He asked Johnson's attorneys il they hat
any evidence, and receiving reply in thu
negative, stated that the evidence already
submitted by the State was sufficient
Judge Ball then held johnson unde
So, 600 bail for the upper court. Johnson
, offence comes under the law of arson il
. the second degree.
In municipal court yesterday morning
number of officers of the Republican
nomination election, held on May 4th
were arraigned. charged with violation o
! the primary election laws, action hayin
been taken at the instance of Walter II
e HAYES. The accused and the charges wer
as follows
} Serburne Rice, judge of the Eastern dis
t trict of the Fifth ward, conducting til
nomination with but one ballot box an
/. without having chosen clerk, both Gil
: cunstances being opposed to the letter G
a the law; Cyrus Mynick, Eastern district q
the Seventh ward. both offences; Williar
Il Whann, same district, both offence
I Harry A. Brown, Middle district of tn
d Seventh ward, one ballot box; Georg
u Robinson, same district. one ballot DO
n and not having taken the required oatl
e James B. Stidham, Eastern distrc. of I'll
d Fifth ward, one ballot box and no clerl
William G. Taylor, Middle district of II
e Seventh ward, one ballot box; job
b Connahan, one ballot box and havin
y taken no oath; John Wainwright, Easter
district of the Fifth ward, one ballot be
and no clerk.
/. Frederick f. Bach was also asked in
warrant to furnish the ballots and tall
l. sheets of the East and Middle districts
the Seventh ward and the East district
the Fifth ward.
& The defendants were represented
,. Austin Harrington, who asked for CO
h tinuance until Friday morning, whit
W was granted, and the accused we
n allowed to go on their own recognizing
1t Warrants have also been issued +,
h Robert ]. Jump and Harry V. BOotes, wi
10 did not appear in court yesterday.
lie When the cases were called Attorne
he Harrington said he was ready, but afte
n ward he concluded that he was not.
City Solicitor Elliott said he was N
n ready, as Mr.. Hayes had not furnisht
~ HIM with the names of witnesses an
IL therefore, did not feel tina. he was able
III proceed, and was also anxious for co
W tinuance.
Of In anticipation of the hearing of Il
a cases the court room was filled with spe
Sc tatUrs.