The sun., 1900-01-30
P|ERCES GAINING FRIENDS
Belief in Alleged Confession
to COwan Girl is
Waning.
COUNSEL FOR DEFENSE BUSY
Both Sides Hunting for Skifr, Watch.
Ring and Money. While Defense
is Seeking TO Disprovo
Mary Cowan's Con-
fession Story.
COUNSEL FOR DEFENSE BUSY
By Special Dispatch to Th 9 Bun.

By Special Dispatch to TIE Bun.
Chester, Pa Jan. 20 The belief that
James and "Pinnyo Pierce killed George
B. Eyre, the popular young member OF
the Alpha Boat Club, is on the vsns
The accused men are saihinS friends
rapidly. Their attorneys feel in bsstsr
spirits.
The vsssy Of James Pisrsas ssnfsansn,
~ tola BY Mary Ce~ss, 10 daily lsosisf
wsieht snd Il 6sina picked 10 sissss. Il
vss q srsahfAs blew ~ the dsfsHss st
the EMs Ii VS. delivered, and sAfsR
greatly 10 The sssS q sAe DSssssutisn.
Atssrrsys brssnAil aAa HiskixlSA
Asv laugh ~ the aivl's ssry ssa ssststs
sAst she ssa pssnpts& ~ hspss Of = Fs-
sssa sSa BY ts~sIEs sdainsb bhe fiesss
fanily. Already It 10 reSsrfsd that ths
aisl yes net snly iStoxisessa - ne
night in question. but sh&s ehe asssass
will prove that James PlefsA diA nsi
spend the night Of December % in oons-
pAny With ths girl In Wilmington.
Cass Built on Facts.
District Attorney Smith went to Media
early this morning, bus before going
said: Tho ease of the Common wealth 10
buils on facts. and this will CONS out NJ
she trisl, which may be postp oned from
the March 20 the June term of court.
We are making no move but what we
are sure Of our ground"
"Do you tske any stock in the acci-
dent theory 30 many are talking about?"
81 have nothing 10 say on that line,
but do you think the evidence go far
shows any such thing?"
"There are persons who say the evil
dence of Mary Cowan will never be be-
lieved by jury"
"There is ample corroborative evil
dence to what Mary Cowan said in her
statement. She muet have had a con-
fession or she would have had nothing
to tell. We shall prove it ALL"
The. District Attorney would go no fur
ther. He is apparent confident that
even though the missing boat is not
found there is cumulative evidence more
than sufficient 60 convict both James
and Amos Pierce.
There is feeling here today" said
Justice John Hare this morning, ''that
'Pinny' Pierce will weaken, and Jim
may talk after 'Pinny' tells his story. 1t
is believed by those who know the two
men that they are on the verge of a start.
ling story" Justice Hare has all along
held to the accident theory, but like
some others is changing his views.
Amos, or 'Pinny," Pierce, Chief Berry
SAYS, is much stricken by conscience. He
acts as one with burden on his mind to
those who see him. He has not been in
terviewed at any time, as Warden Fields
positively refuses to admit any one to
his cell but his counsel Mr.. Hinkson is
authority for the statement that "Pinny"
declares himself entirely innocent of the
MATTER"
"God knows, High Heaven knows, |
am an innocent man." are the words of
"Plnney" to Mr.. Hinkson, who talked
with him Sunday morning.
" 70 Others Pinney" has said he was in
nocent and had no confession to make.
He declared that he alone could not save
his brother, whom he says must look
out for himself Both the brothers en-
ioyed keenly the religious services at the
jail yester lay. especially the singing of
The gospel hymns, and wanted the sing
ers to come in again.
Skiff and Valuables Missing.
The skiff used by Eyre on his cunning
trip, MS gun, watch, ring and money,
still remain in the background The
river riieuses to give up the skiff and the
pawnshops the jewelry and watch.
Chlei Berry turned up bright and cary
this morning with the statement that ali
knowledge Of the boat is just where it
was in the beginning. No one knows
where it is. even though the woman,
Mary Cowan, pointed out where it was,
through what she says jim Pierce told
her when his conscience troubled him.
The mouth OF Raccoon Greek promises
to be a centre Of attraction all this week.
Searching parties went out this morning
from Chester, and Chief Berry SAYS Il
the boat has not been destroyed BY FIRE.
IL will be found, but how to find 10 ia
something else. II is suessuerk with
the seaTchtrs.