Evening journal., 1897-09-25
DIVORCE FOR MRS. CAUSE.
WORK OF THE DAY IN THE GRIM
lNAL COURT.
PHIL PURNELL WILL SPEND six
MONTHS IN NEW CASTLE JAIL
FOR STEALING CHICKENS.
DAVID HARRIS ACQUITTED OF
HIGHWAY ROBBERY.

HIGHWAY ROBBERY.
At the afternoon session OF the Court
of General Sessions the attorney-gen
eral stated that the evidence in the case
Of the State VS.. Frank Lickett, the Ital-
ian who cut James Looney, would not
warrant him I'm asking for verdict
greater than that of simple assault The
jury returned that verdict with rec
ommendaticn for mercy. A fine of $40
and costs was imposed.
Charles Weston, who was charged
with attempting to kill Mary e. Browne,
colored, and who, the woman testified,
was forgiven by her, pleaded guilty OF
assault and was sentenced to pay 500
and costs.
ID. j. Reinhart was assigned to de-
fend Charles Walton, who pleaded not
guilty to the charge of making an as
sault with intent TO commit murder.
The state dropped the case against
10-year-old William Ellsley, indicted
for stealing twelve penny bananas.
Philip Purnell, colored. was the cen
tral figure about which the proceedings
of the Court Of General Sessions re-
volved this morning. He was indicted
for stealing chickens from Aaron X
/ Woodward, a Christiana hundred far
mer Attorney General White conduct
ed the prosecution and Harry White
man the defence.
Mr.. Woodward his son and a hired
man were called and positively identi-
fed the prisoner as the man they
caught stealing chickens at their place
Mr. Woodward said he struck him on
the head with a gun and cut it. The
negro, after he was captured, asked
permission to wash the wound. They
took him to the kitchen and gave him
water. He washed the blood off and
dressed the wound. Then they tied him
with plow lines, put him in a wagon
and started to town with him. When
they reached the b. d o. railroad bridge
at Lancaster avenue the prisoner jump
ed cut Of the wagon, ran into the woods
and escaped.
Mrs. J. NJ. Simms, for whom the
prisoner worked, said that he left hel
| house at 8 o'clock that night and came
I back at o'clock next morning. He
wore the same clothes and she noticed
no blood on them.
The prisoner took the stand and de-
tailed his movements on the night OF
June IA. all of which were confined {
this city. Caleb Carpenter, JOIN
j Grinnage, Lottie Gray and Wesley Gray
were called to prove that his statement
was correct.
After being out a short time the jury
| returned with verdict of guilty. Tit
court sentenced him to pay $l.25 resti
tuition money, be whipped with tel
i lashes and imprisoned for six months
/ A Jury was drawn to try David Har
| ris. colored. accused Of highway rob
berry. his alleged victim being Thomai
Johnson, also colOred. The amount o
money stolen was $4F in addition to I
hat. Several witnesses were called b!
the state. and then Harris took tn
stand in his own behalf, positively de
nying that he was guilty OF 'the crime
Judge Grubb charged the jury and /
retired. In a few minutes the jury re
turned with a verdict Of not guilty, ant
Harris was discharged.
The Superior Court granted an abso
lutte divorce 10 Sarah May Whit
p Cause from her husband, Harlan Vic
tor Cause. and gave her exclusive Gus
tody and control Of her daughter.
A decree Of divorce was also handel
down in the case of Jesse H. VS.. Mar
E. Guy.
Mr.. Whiteman asked the court TO or
der the clerk Of the peace to pay tn
fees of the witnesses for the defence II
the case of the State VS.. Purnell. HI
petition was granted.