Evening journal., 1896-09-24
THEIR NECKS IN DANGER
Two Men Before Court of
Oyer and Terminer.
WRIGHT, THE ASSASSIN, ON TRIAL.
HIS JURY MAY BE DRAWN ON
WILLIS PLEADED NOT
GUILTY TO CHOKING AND
DROWNING HIS DAUGHTER.

George Collins was convicted OF lar
ceny and sentenced to be whipped with
five lashes and six months imprison-
ment by the Court of General Sessions
yesterday afternoon.
E. j. Johnson was sentenced TO ten
days Imprisonment for carrying a
loaded revolver. The rlnd jury re-
turned true bills against .ohn Wilson.
for rape on Mary Levering,and against
Thomas Willis for the murder Of his
child
William Smith. Henry Irons and
William Thomas pleaded not guilty to
larceny After Smith had pleaded not
guilty to stealing a ring, it was dis
covered that another Smith had COM
mitted the theft, and the right Smith
was arraigned. and also pleaded not
guilty. William Frazer, George Robin
son and Charles Brum, indicted for
stealing chickens. pleaded not guilty.
Robert Wolff was indicted for receiv-
ing stolen goods.
James Flynn, Luigi Bonifacino and
Thomas Leitch were naturalized dur
ing the session.
COURT OF OYER AND TERMINER.
Judge Grubb was on the bench with
his associate this morning, this being
the Court of Oyer and Terminers open
ing. The additional panel OF jurors
reported for duty and answered to
their names.
Two tipstaves marched into court
with the black and red staves, having
I'm their custody Thomas Willis. col
ored, and John Wilson, white, to be
tried for their lives. In the case of
John Wilson, indicted for rape on An
ME lowering, the attorney general en-
tered a nOlle prOsequi, claiming that
such a serious and grave doubt existed
IN his mind that he could not conscien-
tiously ask a jury TO render a verdict
Of guilty, and felt quit sure no Juror
could render such a verdict on the cyi-
dence. Wilson was warned and dis
charged
NOT GUILTY OF CHILD MURDER.
Thomas Willis, large and thick-set
negro, late of Mill Creek hundred, was
arraigned for murder in the first de-
gree. Clerk Ford read the long indict-
ment while the crowded court room
became silent for the first time this
session.
The indictment charged Willis with
assaulting, choking and drowning his
child in a certain stream near HOckes-
sin, in which there was a great guam
tity OF water, and mot having the fear
OF God IN his heart, but being moved
p and seduced by the instigations OF the
} devil" did assault and drown Callis
Willis, his female child, after having
, wrapped her in a cloth, bag or sack.
What say you Thomas Willis, are
you guilty or not guilty."
Not guilty"
"By whom will you be tried?"
by God and my country"
May God send you a speedy de-
llverance."
Willis trial was set for Monday
morning and, Harry Whitcman was as
signed TO defend him. Then all the
jurors in Oyer and Terminer. and the
witnesses for the same, were discharg-
ed until Monday.
NEGRO IN MISS CARR'S ROOM.
Henry Irons, mulatto, was tried by
jury. Miss Bridget Carr, nicely
dressed young woman, identified Irons
as the negro whom she had discovered
in her room at the house of her
brother Bernard Carr, about mid
night of August "a. She was awaken
ed by Irons entering the room, and
saw him turn down the low-burning
lamp until it went out She jumped
out of bed and cried out for Mr.. Ma
/ loney, the policeman of that district
} and he caught the interloper.
= Mary Moore swore that she saw
Irons on the roof, and she shouted;
"Cal, is that your"
t mo" was the reply, "it's Harry
} Irons" Naughter)
Irons, who conducted his own de-
4 II tr.rr frr,
which received equally funny answers
Officer Maloney testified to seeing
[ the man come from Bernard Carrl
= side door after Miss Carr had cried on
4 for him. Irons was convicted, his jur,
= remaining in their cnairs.
4 Justice Lore said that the court in
e tended to teach just such men as lronl
!, lessons that they could mediate OF
@ until dwelling-hOuses were entirel,
r safe for Delaware citizens. He sen
fenced Irons TO three years imprison
n ment. $500 fine, one hour in the pill
{ lory and thirty lashes.
I, CHICKEN THIEVES LACKED UP.
1 George Robinson, one OF a compan.
OF chicken pilferers who drew thirty
s four inhabitants OF Robert McFarlan'
poultry house, near Farnhurst, chang
. ed his plea of not guilty TO one o
8 guilty. Mr.. McFarlan explained HOY
\ his poultry house was forced open an
. robbed OF his best chickens. Robin
! sons three companions still pleade
= not guilty. Robinson said he had no
g been arrested for thirteen years, bu
s admitted that it was then for the sam
n offense. He was separated from hi
! companions to be used as a witnes
+ against them. They will be tried thi
l. afternoon.
: MURDERER WRIGHT ARRAIGNEI
The tipstaves again entered tn
i. court having in their custody Edwar
= Wright. .colored. against whom the gran
grand jury had brought true bill fo
! the murder OF his sweetheart, Id
Crummel.
70 This was the daring murder commit
n ted at Water and Market streets. whe
. Wright walked up behind the girl, VIII
- was with another admirer, and fire
n four shots from revolver, all takin
= effect One bullet entered her for'
~ head to a depth OF four inches, al