Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-02-11
assaulting George II. Wood, colored,
nm Ionuu,v 1Ofh

Wood testified that Handy struck
him on account of having assisted in
chasing Frank Thomas tMrs. Carrie
E. Balls assailant). Henry McCallister
curroborated Woods statement.
John Boldly, Joseph Lewis and
Lewis II. Walters, all colored. were
called by the defence. Handy was
placed on the stand in his own behalf
and exhibited case of stage fright,
being unable to say anything.
The jury found him guilty and
recommended the prisoner to the mercy
of the court. The prisoner was sem
fenced to three months imprisonment.
Walter Mcbride, colored who was
convicted of obtaining three shoats
from John A. Cleaver on false pretense.
was sentenced to one months impris-
onmeut.
The case of John Kelley, charged
with using Emma Connor, girl under
age. for immoral purposes, was nolle
pressed on account of the death Of the
child and the inability of the State to
use the statement made by the girl, as
the same could only be taken as hearsay
evidence and was not adm issable.
Roland X. Moulton. charged with
attempted felonious assault, was put
ON trial. Sarah Palmer was the only
witness called for the State and she
testified that on the day of the occur
renee she was living with Mr.. and Mrs.
Samuel Hall at Greenvills. Mouiton
also lived there. She said that while
Mr.. and Mrs. Hall were away Moulton
attempted to assault her.
The prisoner, who was represented
by Franklin Brockson, was callsd in
his own behalf and corroborated many
statements of tho prosecuting witness,
but denied in general the charge against
him.
Sam uel Hall, James Dawson, Charles
Green, William T.. Husbands, Atwood
Weldin and Samuel Moulton, ST., the
hitter the father of the prisoner. were
called in behalf OF the prisoner.
Tbs grand jury ignored the. bills
against Neil Dougherty and Charles
o'Connor, charged with altering cleo
tion returns.
When court opened on Friday and
the roll call of the grand jury had been
called, Foreman G. E. Dubell arose and
asked the court to return 10 tie jury
tho indictments against Charles O. Con-
nor and Neil DOugherty, which were
returned as isnureu Yesterday after.
noon. In complying With the request.
Chief Justice Lore addressed the jury
as follo@s:
"Gcntlenen of the grand jury, in
relation to certain alleged frauda aud
violations of the election laws OF this
State, this court at tho last sessicn
delivered you a charge which dopbEiese
you remember.
A.
emphasizes that charge to-day, and to
say to you that it is duty you owe to
the good old commonwealth in which
you live anu which has nurtIred and
protected you i'll your lives and your
property-to Gilt and investigate thcae
cases most thoroughly.
Let no prejuuiGe. no political bies
no influence o OF any character whatever
step in between these persona and the
law. see that nothing shall stay the arm
OF JUSTICE or scsll annul the law, which
law lies at tbs very foundations Of
society, and which If set aside leaves
your commonwealth at the mercy OF
the will OF any man who may SEQ fit
to attack It'll III its most vital point.
Gentlemen, we ask you that you do
absolutely and fearlessly your whole
duty"
The case of George W. Roberts,
charged with criminal libsl against
Washington Hastings, was again called
and II. II. Ward entcred q plea OF
guilty. The court imposed fine of
$40 and tho costs Of the case on the
prisoner.
Argument in tho casa of Rowland
r. NJ oulton, cLsrgsd with attempted
feloGiouJ ASSAULT on Sarah Palmer, was
inade On the part of the state by Deputy
Attorney general Cooper and for the
defence by F'anklin Brockaon. 1he
jury retired and returned in ono hour
and 10 minutes with verdict OF guilty
of assault. He Was sentenced to pay a
fine Of 500 and he imprisoned Tor Il
term of two years.
Tho case of Waller Brown, colored,
charged with assault on Isaac Andsr.
son with intent TO commit murder, was
called, but after hearing tho evidence
of tho prosecuting witness. Deuuty
Attot ney general Cooper decided to
drop the case.
Thomas Barton, William Merrill and
James Carroll were arraigned. charged
with highway robbery in having taken
a pair Of borts and hat from Ira
Kennedy or November 7th last. Ken
nedy was the tirst witness called, but
after a few questions by the prose-
cutting attorney, it was evident that
this man waH under the influence of
liquor. Tho case was postponed and
Kennedy was committed to the custody
of tho sheriff.
The grand Jury returned to the court
room and banded in its report. Two
huntrea and cighty-nine cases were
submitted to tho jury from the May
term in 1896 to the present term. Of
these 80 were Ignored ana 2J0 returned
as true hills. Many of these were for
trivial larceny cases and the grand
Jury recommended that tho Legislature
provide for other maana of disposipg of
such cases. They visited the almshouse
and found it in good sanitary con-
dition and the buildings and grounds
in excellent condition. The jail is
overcrowded, but in comparatively
good sanitary condition. The Jury
recommended the building of new
kitchen in tho jail yard, and turning
the present kitchen into "bum"
cell. Attention was also called to the
necessity of additional cells at the
Court House for women priaoners.
True bills were returned against
James T. Earlsy, Edward Clark, James
i. Drane, Michael A. Carroll, Hugh
Wallace, Michael Il. Conway Albert
Abberger, Thomas #. Martin and Ed
ward A. Brandt, the men indicted for
altering the election returns at the late
election.