The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1897-02-09

mucn ABOUT tnat nre as some who do 81
much talking"
William Rossell heard a conversation
between Murphy and Jack Shinn before
the fire. Murphy said be was afraid
"Baldo," meaning Kane, would get him il
trouble. He would not get me in trouble,
said Shinn, ''why are you afraid of him p
''Neyer mind" said Murphy.
A. Jackson Shinn. of Columbus, knows
Murphy, and had a conversation with the
latter, in which Murphy said he was
afraid Kane would get him in trouble
IF he does get you in trouble, it will bt
your own fault" said Shinn. At another
time Murphy said if any man did him
harm he would get even if he had tC
burn him out to do it.
Amos K. Du Bell said that on the day
on which the defendants were having 6
hearing, Murphy accosted Du Bell and
asked if he remembered Sharp coming tc
the store on night after the fire wher
Sharp came in for oil. Du Bell said ht
was not. Murphy said he met Sharp out
side and told him that people accused the
two of them with causing the fire, tc
which Sharp replied, II have oil enough
here to burn the whole town."
Mr.. Bullock was recalled and said he
kept bags in the barn, but not within IL
feet of where the pieces of burlap were
found. He never kept any oil in the
barn.
The state rested here, and Prosecutor
Budd said he felt it his duty to abandon
the charge against Murphy. The people
Of Columbus feel morally certain that
Murphy was guilty, and the Prosecutor
shared that same belief, but he could moi
allow his private opinion to guide him in
such cases. and as there was no evidence
connecting Murphy with the crime, he
would ask for the latter's discharge.
Judge Gaskill said he thoroughly coin.
clded with the Prosecutor, and if the jury
had convicted Murphy. he would have
felt constrained to set the verdict aside.
For the defence George M. Hillmau
said he would prove that Kane could. not
have fred the buildings, as he was not in
the neighborhood at the time.
William Kane said he went to politi
cal meeting at Jobstown, on the night be,
fore the fire, leaving Columbus at Z
O'Clock, getting home about II o'clock
He went to bed and was awakened by the
fire. He had no grudge against Bullock,
and did not 60 into Sharp's and ask for a
rug or kerosene oil. and did not saturate
the rugs with the oil. He never said ht
would burn out the hog" nor did ht
threaten to kill Sharp or burn him out
"Did you set fire to this barn ?" asked
Mr.. Hillman. mo, SIR" answered tht
prisoner. Charles Sharp told Kane il
the presence of Charles Jacques that Muir
ply poured the oil on the bags. SHARP
called Murphy into the house and begar
the conversation. He denied the testi
mony of Bennett, and said he suggested
getting detective because he though
the crime should be ferreted out.
Sarah S. Kane, wife of the defendant
took the stand. On the night before thu
fire two children were sick. Mrs. Kane
was up with them. Her husband came
home at half past IL o'clock, and re
NAMED there until the fire broke out a
half past 8. Kane went to his supper a.
6 o'clock and left the house little befor,
7. Mrs. Kane knew her husband was no
out after he came in the last time, because
she was frequently in the room where ht
was, as one of her sick children was there
Charles Jacques testified that he was a
Sharp's house on the 9th of November
Sharp said Kane did not set the barn OF
fire, but that Murphy did.
The defence rested and counsel summed
up the case.
The jury rendered a verdict of no
guilty.
At the conclusion of this case judge
Gaskill ordered the prisoners in jai
brought into Court for sentence.
Charles X. Chambers, in behalf O
Charles S. Sharp. Jr, asked leniency from
the Court. Mr.. Chambers said he haC
not offered Sharp any hope of escape from
punishment when he advised him tC
plead guilty, but if the Court could TAXI
into consideration the service he had rem
dered the State in giving testimony
against the other men it would be appre
ciated.
Blanchard II. White spoke for Georg,
Highland, the colored man accused of lar
ceny at Riverton. Mr.. White said a mar
named Hill had induced Highland t.
take the goods and sell them at Balti
more. Highland asked permission t.
make further statement, which he die
at great length. The prisoner has served
two years and a half in the Maryland
penitentiary for atrocious assault and bat
terry.
Micajah E. Matlack asked for mercy
for Peter Tong, who pleaded guilty tC
the theft of some knives from a clut
house at Hainesport. Tong is an Italian
and has been working at Pemberton
Hearing that he could get employment a
Halnesport, he went there and boarded
with family of his countrymen. He haC
$18 in cash, out of which he was request
ed to help pay for wine that was served
and which somebody else had stolen from
the club house. He was sent to get somt
one day. and entered the house through
the cellar, without breaking a lock. AL
he got was two old knives. Some persons
who saw him gave chase and fred a pisto
at him. Tong is not able to speak wore
of English.
The following sentences were then pro
nounced:
William Shafer, larceny of buffalo
robe; three months in the county jail.
Lewis Jackson, larceny of SIS; siz
months in county Jail.
Peter Tong, larceny of goods from
Hainesport club house; six months in
county jail.
Joel P. Rakestraw, malicious mischief
kicking in door at his wife's house in Bur
lington, one year in state prison.
George Highland, larceny at Riverton
seven years in state prison.
Charles S. Sharp, Jr., was sentenced tC
five years In state prison for completely
in burning buildings of Walter S. Bull
lock at Columbus.
Court then adjourned until tomorrow