The sun., 1900-01-27

der that Miss Cowan declares that James
Pierce in a semi-conscious state, told
her in the bed-chamber of the Tatnall
street hovel that he murdered George B.
Eyre. He was in terrible earnest and sat
.sp in bed as he made the confession.
Pierce asked the girl to go with
him to the mouth OF Raccoon creek and
he would resurrect the body OF the mn'-
dered man, and would also show her the
slnken cunning skiff, which was secreted
below the surface few yards from
where the body would be found. May
Go van made clean breast OF all OF this
Important testimony to Cnief Berry, Of
Chester, and later at the hearing today.
Owing to the reticence OF tine Chester
police the report was circulated that
James Pierce had confessed and in his
confession had exonerated his Invalid
brother. When interviewed on the sub
ject of the Pierce confession tonight
Chief Berry admitted the truth OF the
girls story but denied that Pierce had
made confession.
In anower to the subpoena Miss Cowan
presented herself at Chester today and
she proved to be the most important wit
ness for the con monwealth. She said
that she knew Jim Pierce and had known
him for about year, first meeting him
in this city. She stated that she had
seen Jim on Friday might, December Y,
at her home between 6 and O'Clock,
and that he staid until the following
"Did Jim Pierce tell you anything
thst nighta, asked District Attorney
Smith. ~.
"Yes. He told me enough to convict
him of numbering George b. Eyrer
calmly andc replied the witness.
In her story ahe saidi
1--WE, (meaning Jim and she, went to
bed that night and in,the night he woke
np and was frightened. Hekept saying.
Il did it, Il killed him. He was awake
and yet he did not seem to be. About
midnight he woke up and said that he
did it and .Pinny' helped him tie the
stones to the body and sink it.
In answer to lhe question as to
whether he had said who fired the shot,
the witness replied, Jim said ne fired
the shot and it hit the man in the poat
in the pack Vi the head. de divided the
money with Pinney aud lie did not
make any threats to me If told any
thing. He had an open face watch wltl
him.
"IIe wanted to take me up the river to
SuOW ilic bu0 spObs dud hehCu ptiS ih'es'tI
OF the house if / could go, and she told
lne no. He said that tile deed was com
mitted at Raccoon creek, that oinney
helped him sink the body and that the
boat, which was SINK with stones, was
within two feet o. the boly.
When the witness was asked If jim
had given any reason for the deed sh'
said that he told her il was near Chrls
mas; that be. had no money, but wanted
to buy some Christmas presents. l,,
''He had a good sum Of money on hin
and alter supper We, went out to q DIR.
goods store on Orange street, where h
bought me. "a new skirt and a pair o
shoes, He gave me, gold watch, whicl
he said lie bought for $50, and also CAV
me $40 in, money" (At this junctur
the watch whichthe witness SAYS Pierc
gave her, was identlfied BY her.
When asked whether or not he had
ring on that night, Miss Cowaneaid tha
he had. that it contained three stones,
diamond. ! sapphire and ruby. She Tsai
the ring idSnot fit his finger, but tina
he had 1t Tapped with a string. The vii
4, ness then went on so say that she say
Jim tear up a pawn ticket, but before b
Il did go she cav the words "Wilmington
N Del. ,"',on it.
'N Tie WltLess " hen asked if Jim toll