Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-12-14
WALLACE'S LIFE SAVED
Jury in His Trial for Murder Returns
Verdict Of Second Degree.
MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL OFFERED
Jury Was Out All Night and
Took IL Ballots.
WALLACE'S INQUIRY ABOUT HIS FATE

morning for the murder of Mary O. |
Perry, in Blackbird hundred.
Attorney General Robert G. White
and his deputy, Peter L. Cooper,
Jr., conducted the prosecution, and
David j. Reinhardt and Robert ii.
Richards. the defence.
Wallace is about feet tall, partially
bald, with heavy moustaehe. He is
plain looking person. Wallace was
Brought into the court by Tipstayes
Armstrong and Brooks, and while sit
ting in the dock manifested much in
terest in the drawing of the Jury.
After Clerk of the Peace Jefferson
B, Foard had read the long indictment
to the Jury, Deputy Attorney General
Cooper, who had been standing near the
witness box with the fatal hammer
resting upon his knee. carried it for
ward, preparatory to opening for tho
State
Mr.. Cooper told the jury that Wallace
is charged with the murder of his com
mon law wife, Mary G. Perry, in Blauk,
bird hundred, on November 9th. He
defined murder in the first degree, and
said that he would not define tho lesser
degrees, fol- he did not think the case
would come under any of them.
Mr. Cooper said Wallace had lived
with the woman several years. that on
the morning of November 9Th, Ella
Smith, q colored woman, took one of
the children to school, and as Wallace
kissed the child, he remarked that it
would probably not stay at school all
day. After leaving the house she had
occasion to return and saw Wallace
the house, she found her mistress dying,
her head lying in the chimney way,
and her flesh still twitching. Beside
the chimney way was found the imprint
of a mans hands, as il the defendant
had rested one hand there while he
struck the woman with a hammer in
the other. The hammer was found,
wrapped in piece of dress In closet.
Wallace was arrested the same day at
Mt Pleasant. When Magistrate Rey-
nolds, who did not know the manner Of
Mrs. Perry's death, remarked to him
that possibly be did not know it was
loaded, Wallace replied, II did not
shoot her; struck her with ham
mur.p
Ella Smith, colpred, who lives al
Thoroughfare Neck, Blackbird hundred,
was the first witness. She said she had
known Wallace about two years ane
knew the woman as Wallace's wife
She had been living in the house Will
Mrs. Wallace since strawberry time
and Wallace had been away, but return
ed at seeding wheat time. Mrs Wallac,
had two children, who addressed MIR
Wallace as papa. One child was 5 ane
the other 3. On the morning of Novem
Der 9th, Mrs. Wallace cut some flower
for the witness to take to neighbor
and some flowers were also cut for on
of the children, who was to go to sehoo
with the witness. Wallace said tina
half day would be long enough TO
the child to stay at school. When sh
left, the only persons on the place wer
Mr.. and. Mrs. Wallace. The younge
.; child was then out West. After goin
~ about quarter of mile, witness re
ur tisrped to the house, having forgotte
her pocketbook.N, She heard Mrs
Wallace scream and saw Wallace leav
the house by the Kitchen door. &c
right back and send the child here q
soon as you can" he demanded. Sh
asked him what he meant and he re
child and noticed Wallace return to I'll
kitchen. She saw him rub one han
agaiEst his trousers. Later, she So
Wallace running down the road towart
Smyrna, and she told Charles Wake
whom she met, that tnsre must
something wrong at the house. Bot
returned TO the house and looking
window, witness called three tim
for Mrs Wallace, but received no answe
Then she went in and found Mr.
Wallace living with her head in I'll
chimney PLACE. The woman was bee
ing and her lip was glivering. A coo
stove was in front of the chimney wa
On the wall of the chimney, the witno
saw some blood splattered about, al
also on the wall beside the chime
Later in the day the Smith girl sa
DIR. Ferguson pick up a hammer ha
ing blood and hair on it, on the his
top of cupboard The fatal hamm
that witness recognized as MI
Wallace's.
The hammer, with blood stains st
on il, and the piece Of dress, we're a
mitted in evidence.
Upon cross examination by Mr.. Rel
hardt, the witness said she started
Mrs. McI.ane's that morning to was
but after getting about q quarter-m
away returned for her poclsetbook. 4
Wallace child had not been to scht
before that time. Early that mornir
WITNESSES husband was ut the FLA,
but went away to work. Mrs. Wall
visited the house early to ask NJ
Wallace to buy her some things
Smyrna.
When Wallace was leaving the pla
s. after the tragedy, witness saw h
running and for a time, walking.
When she went into the room,
saw no blood on the floor, but saw
on the wall. The opening Of the Chi
ney was large enough for q person
fall into.
In the room were table and sofa.
At Thursday afternoons session,
recital BY DR.. Daniel |. McColl
coroner's physician, Of the wounds
found on the head and body Of M
Perry, was enough to make the bl,
run cold Of those who heard it !
doctor followed Coroner Alfred
Yandsyer, who testified that he I
no eEidepge Of a struggle at
Wallace house, and State Detect
Walter WItsil, who gave measureme
he had made at the house.
DR.. McColley made the post mort
examination and for the purposes
exposition and evidence. had Erou
n; the, upper upper port Of Mrs. Perry's SIX
Robert H. Richards, who v
David ]. Reinhardt, represents Y
lace, wanted IL 10 be clearly she
that it was Mrs. Wallace's head, be
the doctor testified concerning it.
doctor said that he removed the sect
Of skull and had had it ih his
session ever since. ~
The doctor found that death resu
from shock due TO the wounds.
Before haying him testify as to