The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-05-19
|CHAFFNER
ON TRIAL.
Letters Sworn to Have
\ Been Written by Him
Y: Accuse Inspectors
Of Election : Il,
! Frauds.

\ General Sessions Court this morning re-
eu,ned trial Of the case Of larceny against
James Milton, colored. Milton denied
1 that tho chickens were stolen from MT,
Ktund, He called six witnesses to prove
! his previous good character who, however,
3Troye1 good state witnesses much to tine
lsurprise Of Milton. One. Sarah Hill, sald
4 That among the chickens was "a yellow
hen', which ressmb!ed Dove" kiund's
6h!cksn. At the time she told the prisoner
4 of the fact whoreupon he said he would
cut the chickens top knot oil.
Laughter followed tho remark, but
/ above tho din could be heard Milton ex-
planning gentlemen don't deny shat.
4 Did you give that testimony before the
Municipal Court?" asked Milton.
I THAT ANTS your business, was sarahs
20 mewhat sharp reply. -.-
4, DO you want to ask her any more ques-
lions" asked the court OF the prisoner
(; mol don't judge" answered Milton
vhereupon Sarah left the stand
| Then the prisoner went before the jury
and argued his case, declaring that job
was a put up one and that he had
only told the truth lie feared no evll.'
The Jury retired without further re-
maks from Attorney General White or the
court and after ten minutes de'lbsration
returned verdict OF guilty.
I Nc CndrBe VI uS.hF
child for immoral purposes against Joseph
Queen was continued until the next term
OF court.
Witnesses against Andrew Merrick and
fBurris McMullen indicted for gambling
wore discharged from any futher attend
ance at this term.
The cases wer, continued until the same
time McMullen is out of the State.
George Robinson, coored, indicted for
~ L. # "a
iSt Georges on July l5 and carrying
thorsfrom quantity Of wearing apparel
and jewelry entc ed plea OF not guilty.
Margaret Harrity cclored pleaded
guilty to harboring minor female for
immoral purpose, and her trial was fixed
for this afternoon.
Trial of the case Of embezzlement
against Antonio A. Jocls was fixed for to-
morrow morning.
SHAFFNER IN COURT.
Alfred L, ShGffre' indicted for criminal.
ly nbelling Willard salisbury and John
Biggs was brought into court and con.
sent tod to motion by Deputy attorney
General for con o.idation Of the two
counts In the indictment against him.
Then trial Of tho case was begun, Shall
ner was not represented by counsel, Rob-
ert II. Richards whc appeared for the de-
PENDANT at his arragnment having with
drawn from the case yesterday.
Shatfner challenged Juror and he retired
IN favor Of Williams. Armstrong. Geo.
G. Martin is foreman OF the jury
Mr.. Cooper outlined Shatfner's crimo to
the jury. 1t was OF publishing criminal
libel against Messrs. Bgg, and salisbury
during the fall of last year
He further stated that Shaffner had ap-
preached Gilbert $. Jones. managing edl-
tor of the Sun and had offered him infor-
nation which purpDrtrd to be facts con-
Meeting Messers. B!ggs and salisbury
with certain alleged election frauds. This
Information Shatfner sold to Clement II.
Conguon proprietor of the sun for sluc.
ehatfner subsequently admitted that he
was tho author of the information,
MIR Cooper called John Biggs as the first
witness. Hc said TINT on October he
learned that his name had been connected
with story that he had been responsible
for certain election frauds pructiCed at the
canvass of tho vote Of IS. As the witness
knew Of no such liberation in the election
car ilcateS ut that time, he paid but little
attention to the matter.
But on October II, Mr. Biggs understood
that the information was in he handwri'-
Ing OF Josiah Marvel whareupon Mr.. Bggs
preferred charges of unprofesnional con-
duct against Mr.. Marvel before the New
Castle County bar Association. At the
meeting of the Association which follow
ID. Mr.. Biggs declared Shatfner had ad-
spilted authorship Of the letters and that
Mr.. Marvel was absolutely innocent Of
nnv connection with the affair.
Blt was also brought out that..sShaffner
and his accomplices had intended 10 notify
MIR. salisbury aud himself, Mr.. Biggs,
that the Information was in the hands of
tho Sun, and that they could suppress the
publication by paying them, Shalfner and
his accompliCef s. o,0.
Mr. Biggs said he had received q litho.
graphed copy Of tho letter from Horace
Greeley knowles who had secured it from
afrcnd on the Sun staff. Shaffner had
admitted selling The letters to Mr.. Cong.
don for sl0O
Misunderstanding told of learning from
an election inspector during 1895 that cer-
tain Information tt! ding to impiUato him
ia changes made in the returns, were in
III, possession of a representative of the
Sun, but be paid no attention to tho ma
tor believing 1t to be IL story for political
Slfact
" But when he subsequently learned that
tn handwriting was that of Josiah Mar
vel he began an Investigation which re-
sultol III the discovery Of the information
and the subseq trial OF Mr. Marvel be-.
S3ro tho board OF censors Of tho New Cas-
tie county bar association.
MI Marvel told Of employing Shaffnel
IN 1894 as bis office boy and Of discharging
him several times and Of finally dischurg-
lug him in 1897 because Of it having come
to his knowledge that Shafner had forget
tho name Of Frank Willing to cheek.
Messrs Early and Martin. election inapec
tors quoted in tho letters sworc that they
gave no such Information to Mr.. Marvel
Mr., Cooper explained that as three Of the
other inspectors connected il tho affair
are now out of the city and that as tn,
fourth one is Ill, they could moi be bruugh
luto ecu t. Then the state rested.