The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-03-22


A dapper little solicitor was now on
his feet.
"May it please your worship, said
be, "I appear for the prosecution. The
prisoner, James Fitzgerald, alias Will
liam Richmond, is charged with enter
ing the premises Of Mr.. Ralston Fenton,
at 145 De We're Gardens, between the
hours Of 12 and on the morning Of the
18th inst, with felonious intent. He
had an accomplice, who has unforta-
nately escaped The two men effected an
entry at the back Of the house and pro-
ceeded to appropriate various silver and
other articles in the dining room
Commander Brett, who was staying
in the house at the time, evidently heard
them, and went down stairs, when be
was attacked by the men. A severe
struggle apparently ensued, and I am
sorry to say that Captain Brett is now
lying in precarious condition, and is
quite unable to give evidence-in fact,
up to last night he was unconscious.
policeman 2 952, whom 1 shall call
to give evidence. was on duty Oil that
beat and he will tell you that as he
passed Mr.. Fenton's house the door
opened and man rushed down the
steps. He stopped at the sight of the Of
fcer and hurriedly informed him that
robbery was taking place in the house
They entered together, but the man evil
IDENTIFY took advantage Of the darkness
Of the hall to abscond. By this time the
inmates of the house had been aroused
by the sounds of the scufle, and the
prisoner had taken alarm. The officer
met him in the doorway Of the dining
roor4 with bag in one hand and life
preserver in the other. Luckily, he man
aged to get the first blow in, and
promptly secured the prisoner. He then
ascertained from evidence in the room
that there had been two Of them at
work, and the man who haG given the
! information was undoubtedly the accom-
plice of the prisoner Call officer q
952."
The officer gave his evidence in con-
frmation of the statement Of the prose
cution, and Fitzgerald was then asked
if he wished to put any questions to
! him.
"Wili you please describe the man
you met on the doorstep?' be said.
''It was dark at the time, and he
came on me so suddenly that | did not
turn my lantern on him. but should
say he was of middle height, and be had
lightish beard. !"
"And this man told you there was
burglary going on inside the house:?''
ssHe did"
"Thank you. That's ALL. said Fitz-
gerald with a vindictive smile on his
face.
.'That is the case for the prosecution,
your worship" said the solicitor, ION
the charge of burglary. It is obvious
that still graver charge should be pre-
ferred either against the prisoner or
some other person in respect of the as
sault which has been committed on
Commander Brett, bat further inquiries
will be made before any information is
Laid
prisoner, said the magistrate,
"having heard the evidence, do you
wish to say anything in answer to this
charge? You are not obliged to say any
thing unless you desire to do SO. But
whatever you say will be taken down IN
writing, and may be given in evidence
against you at your trial. y
Fitzgerald leaned over the bar in front
of him and nodded to the reporters.
"You hear?'' he said. "You've got to
take it all down in writing. Don't miss
ar 81. >"
eyes, your Worship he continued
in consecutive sentences, very different
from his ordinary speech, Il do desire
! to say something, and something of I'M
portance. 1 am guilty of this charge,
but it is not of myself, but Of my &C
complice that / wish to speak. For
years the police have been on his track,
but the devilish ingenuity Of the man
and the assistance Of his friends have
prevented their purpose being attained.
I have been one of those friends, and up
to the night of this robbery I would
have shielded him to the bess of my
power. But that night he repaia me- by
the blacklist ingratitude. He betrayed
me, and now it is my intention to be-
tray him. -
The words of the prisoner, spoken
with deliberate GOODNESS, made pro-
found impression in the crowded court.
"My accomplice in the robbery was
man we'll known in London, not only to
the police, but in society. Under divers
disguises and at various times he has
committed robberies all up and down
the country-notably those at Glenmore,
the Duke of Lundy's seat, at Abiding
hall, the residence of Mr.. Arthur Du-
rant, and at Hinton, at Squire Mar
chants. 1 can give list of those know
# it is desired, but there are plenty OF
which know nothing. The man who
committed these felonies is known un-
der various names, and the most notorl-
! ~. ~ bie aIiases are Archie Oacro and