The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-09-20
GRAND JURY
HAS COLE CASE.
And a Bill of Some De-
scription Will be Re-
turned To-day.

lUulCtCu Wy luC vi uuu > III VI shS
present term of court for the lar
ceny of $22 from Joshua Connor on
September 9. was arraigned in Gen.
eral Sessions Court this morning,
pleaded not guilty and was free
man, all in two minutes time. This
unusual rapidly in the movement
Of the wheels Of justice, was due to
the vagueness of the testimony the
prosecution had against the prison
er. 1t will be remembered that
Chase was suspected OF the theft OF
Mr. Connor's pocket book, and that
after he was arrested a dog picked
up the wallet in Chase's yard. This
was the only evidence against him,
but as it was vaguely circumstan-
tial, there was absolutely no basis
on which to build a case. Mr.. Con-
nor was in court this morning, but
he was opposed to prosecuting
Chase, because of the insufficient
testimony. George w. Todd and
several other prominent gentlemen
were also in court to prove. Chase's
previous good character, but Mr..
Whites abandonment of the case
relieved them Of offering testimony
along that line.
Clifford Harris, colored. was put
on trial before jury tor pointing
revolver at William Il. Graves at
Townsend, or October Is, 1898.
Mr.. Graves is a store keeper at
Townsend and on the date mention.
ed Harris, according to the testi-
mony of Mr.. Graves, entered the.
store and pointed revolver in the
face of the witness. Josiah Marvel,
who represented the prisoner, in
cross examination of Mr.. Graves,
brought out the information that al
though the alleged unlawful act had
been committed almost a year ago,
the suit was not begun until three
months ago Mr.. Marvil asked the
witness why the prosecution had
not begun at the time of the COM
mitment of the alleged crime and
he replied it was because the man
had escaped.
Henry Green corroborated the
testimony of Mr.. Graves and the
State rested.
The defense offered Harris as the
first witness. He admitted going
into Graves store with revolver
to find man named Bell who had
assaulted his father, brother and
himself. Harris denied having
pointed the revolver at Mr.. Graves.
William Perry testified to seeing
Harris enter the Graves store with
revolver in hand, but did not see
him point the weapon at any one.
Albert Goddis corroborated the tes-
timony of Perry.
The court of Oyer and Terminer
was opened this morning. The
special panel OF jurors drawn to try
cases before the tribunal was called
and all the Jurors answered. Jas.
Mulligan of Red Lion and CORTLAND
c. Montgomery OF this city were eX-
cused.
The cases Of Montyloo Cole, who
is charged with the murder of VIM.
A. Montague and Thomas Tolson,
accused OF killing his a year old
step-daughter. were called before
the grand jury during the morning.
Harris went on stand in his own
defense and denied having pointed
the revolver at Mr.. Graves. He also
swore that no attempt had been
made to arrest him until eight
months after the commitment CT the
alleged crime. He went to Phila-
delphia after the trouble, but re-
turned within three weeks and has
lived at Townsend until month
ago, when he was arrested.
Jacob Harris. father OF the pris-
oner, swore that Harris had not
been away from Townsend longer
than two weeks from the time OF the
trouble until he was arrested.
State Senator George M. D. Hart,
swore to the prisoners previous
good character.
Israel Pritchard was also called,
but he is a member of the Grand
Jury. Mr. White announced that
he was satisfied to accept the testl-
mony of previous good character,
as Mr.. Marvll desired to prove by
him. The witnesses were therefore
not called. Then the defense rest
ed. Mr.. White argued before the
Jury and the body retired. After
Is minutes dcliberation the jury re-
turned verdict Of not guilty and
the prisoner was discharged.
A "coNspIRED AGAINST PRISONER.
Jacob Harris, colored, who ap-
peared as a witness in the previous
case. appeared as a prosecutor in
the case of the State VS.. Geo. Bell.
The indictment charged Bell with
committing an assault and battery
on Mr.. Harris, at Townsend, on Oc-
tobcr Is, of last year. 1t was the
beginning of the trouble which end
ed in clifford Harris arrest. Jacob
Harris told of being pushed from
the sidewalk by Bell. of having been
struck twice in the face and of hav-
ing a revolver discharged at him by
Bell.
George NJ. Timmons did not see
Bell shoot, but heard shooting and
saw Bell strike Mr.. Harris.
Andrew Collins who admitted there ex-
listed "a conspiracy" against Bell Nv Town
send but denied that he was ono OF tho
'conspirators." swore that the prisoner
struck Mr.. Harris on tho accession re-
ferred TO William Hayes, John W. jack
son also sny Boil assaulted Harris.
Magistrate William II. Reynolds OF Mid
dletown, before whom Bell was committed
gave the prisoner a bad reputation.
Julian ID. Walker conducted the de-
Tense. He called Boil, who admitted hay
ing struck Harris but not until after Har-
ris had laid his hands on him. He did not
shoot at him, however,
Alice Simpson, Charles sBoll and Re-
becca Watson gave testimony for the per-
sons denying that Boil had assaulted Har-
ris until Harris had first assaulted him.
Argument before the jury was in progress
at the hour Of recess
The grand jury returned to court at
o'clock, bills against Howard Hinton,
Joseph Dugan and ElmerC oyle, for house,
breaking; Alb,rtSmitb Tor false pretenses
and Elmer Hinson for larceny.
A bill against William McCorty, for