The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-01-20
SICK MEN TURNED LOOSE
TWO INSURANCE CONSIDERATIONS
ARE SET FREE.
DELANAR AND FISHER co HOME TO-DAY
The Famous Trials For Forgery and Fraud in
Life Insurance at Beaufort Are Still
Fresh in the Minds of the

The Governor yesterday celebrated
Gen. Lees birthday by granting two
pardons. They were secured by Mr..
Chas. L. Abernethy, of Beaufort, who
has been here several days for that pur-
pose.
Selden p. Delamar one of the defend
ants in the celebrated insurance cases
of Beaufort, n. c., was pardoned by
Governor Russell last night The par
don was recommended by ex-Judge A.
w. Graham, who was the presiding
Judge at the trial; the solicitor, Mr.. NJ. G.
Richardson; Judge o. I'll. Allen, who
prosecuted with the solicitor; also the
prosecuting attorneys, Messrs. Jno. w.
Hinsdale, f.. NJ. Simmons, and p NJ.
Peansall. 1t was also recommended by
the jury and 10y DIR. T. NJ. Clark, the
county physician, who certified that the
defendant could not, in his opinion,
stand close confinement for another
year, he having already served one year
in Cateret Jail. 1t was also recon-
mended by Reys, d. H. futile and n.
M. Jurney: by the sheriff, clerk of tie
court, register of deeds of Cateret coun-
ty and the mayer and ex-mayor of Beau
fort.
Delamar has a large and dependent
family. and all the recommended tons to
the Governor certify as to his very deli
cafe health, he being consumptiye.
William Fisher, (colored), confined in
the States prison, and likewise one of
the defendants in these celebrated cases,
was also pardoned last night.
His pardon was recommended by the
physician at the penitentiary, as Fisher
has been ia the hospital there, and is
about to die. He has very badly ul-
cerated leg and is unable to walk.
Selden ID. Delamar was convicted of
conspiracy to defraud the Insurance
companies. Fisher was convicted of
forgery for the same purpose.
These cases, it viii be remembered,
were begun in Cateret Superior court in
the fall of 1895, and were removed from
there to Jones county. Col. Jno. w.
Hiasdale. of this city, was the leading
counsel for the prosecution, having been
employed by interested insurance COM
panies. There We're quite number in
dicted, all the negroes turned States
evidence with the exception of William
Fisher. He stuck out to the last. The
balance of the defendants were convict
ed. They were: G. p. Hassel, sentenced
to the penitentiary for seven years;
w lAi1ol1 Il 4SAG4s ACOiOASuts SChlEnGEU "
the penitentiary for FIVE years; DR.. I. B.
Delamar, Selden d. Delamar, Levi T.
Noe and Jacob Delamar, sentenced to
jail for two years each.
DIR. Delamar was first pardoned, his
pardon being recommended by the
Board of Public Charities, he being a
consumptive in the most delicate health
Selden Delamar and William Fisher,
(colored), have served each year and
some few days of their term. Hassell is
yet on the penitentiary farm, and Levi
r. Noe and Jacob Delamar are still in
Cartret jail, all of them having
families.
There was much feeling aroused by
these trials at the time and it was for
that reason that they were removed to
Jones county.
Mr.. Abernethy, through whose in
fuence and work these men have been
pardoned. has been her several days. He
was an attorney for the defense In the
trials and made quite reputation by
the able manner in which he conducted
his cases.