Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-08-18

went to Townsend that night and yes
teruay week arrested George Strad-
ley on William Grier's farm near
Townsend, to which place he bad fol
lowed threshing machine. lie was
taken 10 Middietown, and as 1t was
known that there had been two soldiers
onnsoted with the assault, Magistrate
ReynoIds took him to Camp Tunnel,
with the hope that he might assist in
finding the third man, who, il was
thought, might BIO in camp.
sTRADLEy MISUNDERSTANDING.
For some reason the officers were of
the opinion that both of the soldiers
Implicated were members Of Co. /, and
they communicated their Auspicions 10
Col. I. Pussy wickersham. who had
the members OF Co. / drawn up in
liue. Stradley was requested to 60
down the line and pick out ore OF the
soldiers who was with him at Town
send. the officers being Of the impress
sion that Private Welsh, who was then
locked up was the third member of the
party. Magistrate Reynolds says Strad
ley had no trouble in picking out
O'Neill as the third member of the
party. O'Neill was then placed under
arrest and taken to Middletown.
HEARING BEFORE MAGISTRATE REYNOLDS
The three men, Privatss Welsh and
O'Neill and civilian Stradley, we're
given a preliminary hearing before
Magistrate Reynolds, whose office was
crowded to suffocation, so great was
the excitement The hearing occupied
an hour aud n quarter, and steuo.
graphic report Of tina testimony was
taken by j. Frank MerriclS, who Is in
the office of Engineer Long of the p,
w. 4 b. railroad. Mr.. Merrick will
prepare a type written copy Of the
evidence for the attorney general.
Several witnesses were heard, in
Guiding Steverra and his two daugh-
ters, who claimed that the prisoners
were the right men. The testimony
was very damaging and the mag istrate
had no hesitancy 10 holding them
under $500 bail to await the action Of
the grand jury. Had he been satisfied
| that they had committed felonious
assault he would have held them with
| out hail, but there was no positive
evidence on this point and he was re-
| quired TO act in accordance with the
testimony. One Of the girls, who had
some knowledge Of English, acted as
interpreter, and from her statements
it did not appear that there was more
than violent attempt, although, from
what could be cleaned, both OF the
girls were more or Less hurt, probably
the result of the violence used by the
men. 1t was necessary to hold the
father ard daughters under 500 bail
each in order to have them as wit
nessss when court opens in this city
next month.
HIGHWAY ROBBERY SUSPECTED.
1t was difficult to learn much frou
Steverra, but it was generally reported
around Townsend that at the time b.
was forced away from his daughters be
was brutally assaulted and rubbed of {
valuable watch, and that som ethinl
over IS In money was taken from thu
girls. These reports will be inyesti
gated by the authorities, and il 1T il
found that anything was stolen and th,
theft can be traced to the men the,
may also be required to stand trial or
the charge of highway robbery.
The prisoners would have beer
brought up to New Castle and placed
in the Jail that night but 1t was de
cided to keep them at the Middletowr
prison during the night, bol wicker
sham having detailed strong guart
over the lookup, in order that tn,
soldiers might be Invested OF thei
military clothing and be sent to jail il
ordinary citizens dress.
WHO THE ACCUSED MEN ARE.
Private Welsh is said to have been
resident of Middletowp before his en-
listment, and it is understood that a
one time he was sergeant 10 Co. /
but was reduced to the ranks 70
misconduct. Private O'Nsill is from
Laurel.
ITALIAN AND HIS DAUGHTERS IN JAIL.
The Italian musician aud hi
daughters, being unable to furnis
bail, were brought to New Castle an,
taken to the Jail yesterday week.
Thursday Stradley and Private
Welsh and O'Neill were also brougb
up to New Castle Jail. Before leavin
Middletown the soldiers were strippe
of their uniforms ana compelled t
, don citizens clothes.