Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-11-26
The Cases Disposed of at Re-
cent Sittings.
CONTINUATION OF LIBEL SUITS
Conclusion of the Vincent De-
q sertion Case.
Criminal Cases Tried and settied--5u umor-
GUS Incident Regarding Police Captain
Chambers DANES Loiland Not Guilty of
Stealing from Alexander Warren.

VI WhtCbt "Gb lCithhotl pu
Antonio MaiascHlza going his security
In the cum of $780,
James Lofland was put on trial on a
charge of stealing sT4 from Alexander
Warren ON June 18th at Middletown.
Mr.. Warren, who ia cripple and a
resident Of this city, related that be
mot Lofiand at the hotol at Middletown
and gave him two glasses of beer and
20 cents to get something to eat Later
while witness was walking on the street
somebody knocked him over and fell
on him. II was LofianG. The prisoner
did nothing else at that time, but later
jim the night when witness was at the
station, Lofiand came to him and
struck him over the head with a stick
and robbud him of S74. Witness be-
came conscious about daylight
State Detective McVey testified to
arresting lpiiand In this city October
18th. Witness asked Lofland il he
knew Alexander Warren, to which Lof
land replied. ~ never took damn
cent OF his money! Mr.. McVey had
not then told him ho was under arrest.
For the defence the prisoner was the
first witness. He told his side of the
affair. He said that Warren was pretty
full. 1t was another man to whom
Warren gave the quarter, and the third
man and Lofland ate the luncheon
which was bought. They had crackers
and cheese and pickles and "sour-
dimes" Witness declared that he
''tuk up" for Warren when the boys
tried to trip him. He denied that he
went into the station. On the day Of
Chambers, whom he asked for a tax
raaait,t ua,rtnft ha u.ay y.,t,f fha psfY at. 10
of the fence.
"What is Mr.. Chambers?" asked
the attorney general.
' "He's a good old Democrat"
answered the prisoner, and there was
u laugh. The attorney. general referred
rather TO Mr.. Chambers' position.
Frank Kaufman and his wife Ma
: tita, testified that Lofland came to
their house between 3 and O'Clock in
the morning. He had no big money.
Benjamin Armstrong who testified
for the prisoner, said he Wasn't afraid
of Loiland and would trust him. The
only harm he did was to himself by
drinking. He had worked for Arm
strong off and on for 10 or IL years.
William Smith testified fgvorably to
the prisoner.
The case was submitted without argu-
ment and the Chief Justice told the
jury il there was amy doubt to let 1T be
in favor of the prisoner. The jury found
verict OF not guilty, and Lofland was
released. The Chief Justice told him
to drink no more whisky.
Court adjourned until 10 O'Clock Fri
day morning
When court Of general sessions recon-
vened on Friday Baldwin Springer,
attorney for George O'Meara, charged
with forging a check. moved to quash
the indictment on the ground that one
count charged O'Meara with forging
1t on October 9th, the day before he
is alleged to have forged it. After
argument the court refused the applica-
tion and ordered this Jury called.
The jury box had Just been filed
when, Mr.. Springer stated to the court
that he had just received telegram
as he believed from material witness
in Philadelphia, although it was un-
signed, saying "Contiue case till
II. 80" The court continued the case
until that hour.
Then ensued an attempt to got another
case ON trial before the jury, which
still occupied the box, but had not
been sworn. The case of John II.
Sterlith, charged with using female
for immoral purposes was called np
He stated that his counsel. Horace O.
Knowles, was out of the city. The
case went over for the time and the
court discussed the caso Of John
NJ. Clayton, charged with attempted
bribery. Walter II. Hayes, who repre-
sents Clayton, wanted more time, and
the court finally agreed to let the case
go over till Monday. The case of
George W. Roberts, editor of the State
Sentinel. charged with malicious libel
on Washington Hastings, was talked
about. Henry O. Conrad, who, with
Medford III. Cahoon, represents Mr..
Roberts, asked for continuance until
the February term.
Attorney General White opposed con-.
tinuance in any of the cases except On
behalf of continuance. Counsel may
present an affidavit for continuance
later. Court announced that it would
clean up the criminal business.
AT last case was put on trial before
the jury. 1t was that of James II.
Dean, colored, charged with being con-
cerned in interest in lottery policy
writing. Dean was represented by Will
liam S. Hilles and William Michael
B,rne. Attorney General White con-
Quoted the prosecution.
Officer Akin testified to Deans ar.
rest on February 22d, 1896. Harry
McQuade swore that he gave Dean
some money and slip containing
figures for him to place.
Jeremiah Gould, colored, testified
that he went to place where Dean was
and asked Dean If be knew any place
10 play policy. Dean said he knew OF
no place in particular. Witness, how
ever, laid down 33 cents to be placed on
figures taken from a dream book and
left. Mr.. White abandoned the case az
not being proved. Upon the instruc-
tinn Of the court the Jury rendered a
verdict OF not guilty.
Edward Gibbons, who pleaded guilty
TO larceny, was sentenced to one year g
Imprisonment.
In tho case of George O'Meara, charged
with forgery,a conference of the States
attorneys and Mr.. Springer for the de-
fence was hold and the court was COM
municated with on the subject OF
OMeara's mental capacity. George
u. Symonds of Philadelpbia, how
f-gured SO prominently as ''Lord Della
ware" in the Farnhurst Hospital ex-