Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-12-20

Att0rney-General NoDerG ". WHITE
and Deputy Attorney General Peter u.
Cooper, DR., will retire from Office at
the end OF the present month with tho3
realization that they have handled "a |
great mass Of criminal business, and
that their term has been marked ny
numerous notable cases. Since taking |
up the reins as the prosecuting at
torneys on the Fart of the State Of
Delaware at the November term, 1896,
they have tried In the three counties Of
tho State about /, 500 cases. The great
majority Of these cases as was natural,
hare been of the Bsser sort, such as
laroenies, carrying concealed deadly
weapons and other lighter crimes.
Enough Of them were, however, of the
higher sort, murders and the like, to
place great responsibility upon the
attorney generals Office. How we'll
that responsibility was placed and how
bravely the duty was performed, may
be judged from the outcome of those
more important CASES. .-''
The first great trial Mr.. White and
Mr.. Cooper conducted, and one OF the
most not d cases of their term, was
that Of the State vs.. Daniel Brown,
John j, Swan and Michael Lynch in
dicted at the February term. 1896, for
murder in the second degree in causing
the death of Leon Pisa. Pisa was an
iumate OF the Delaware State Hospital
for the Insane at FHrnhnrst. Lynch
was supervisor and Swan and Brown
were attendants there. The attendants
wanted to give Pisa bath and when
he objected they treated him roughly {;
he became unconscious and died in the
bathroom. 1t was found that he had
fractured skull and two fractured
ribs. The prisoners were defended by
Walter ii. Hayes and John X. Brad
ford, for Lynch, and Andrew G. Gray
and Herbert II. Ward for Brown aud
Swan. The Court of Oyer and Terminer
divided evenly upon every question of
law raised at the trial and even as to
the length OF the sentence. Lynch was
acquitted, and Brown and Swan were
convicted. On motion for new
trial tho court again stood two to two.
Brown and Swan were each sentenced
to one years Imprisonment ard to pay
fine OF $500.
TWO MEN HANGED.
At the September term, 1896, Thomas
Willis, colored, was indicted for murder
in the frat degree for killing his g.
years old child, which he buried in a
field He was convicted and on Febru-
airy 10th, 1897, he was hanged.
Edward Wright, colored, was in.
dicted at the September term, 1896, ioi
the murder of his sweetheart, Ida
Crummel, who had refused to marry
him. He was convicted and was hanged
on New Years Day, 1897.
Richard Stats, oolored, was also in
dicted at the September term. 1896, fo
killing William Guy, colored. In thu
neghborhood of Mt. Summit The
evidence disclosed that the pointing o
the pistol was in fun and verdict o
menslaughter was found. He wa
sentenced to pay a fine Of "a, 900 and b.
imprisoned five years.
Another important case 10 which al
indictment was found at the Septembe
term, 1896, was that of George O. Wood
charged with manslaughter in causin
the death of Howard j. Hannum. Th
defence was that the blow struck b.
Woods fist was not the cause Of death
verdict, not guilty.
At the May term, 1898, william
Fisher, colored, was indicted for break
ing dwellinghouss in the night tim
with intent TO commit a felonious at
sault upon Mrs. Maria Hunt. TIL
defence admitted the breaking an
entry, and offered az defence that tt
intent was to commit larceny and nj
the more serious offence as laid in th
indictment Fisher was convicted an
sentenced to be hanged; the Board I
Pardons afterwards ccmmuted I'll
sentence to life imprisonment
THE FAMOUS COLE CASE.
The famous Cole case came up in Il
fall of 1899. Montyaloo A. Cole was II
dicted at the September term II
murder In the first degree in killir
William A. Montague. Cole was
student in dentistry at the Universe
of Pennsylvania and his home was
Canada, and Montague belonged to I
L old and highly respected family.
Il Kent county. 1t will be recalled tn
Cole ard a companion came down iro
II Philadelphia to sec a certain Ed
Wilson, with whom Cole had be
living. when he met her with Montagu
and he struck Montague with q bas
that as the deed was done In hot bio
it could not be murder. Walter
Hayes and Sylvester ID. Townsend, j
represented Cole. There we're sevel
sensational features in the case a
experts were called TO show Cox
mental condition. A verdict of ma
slaughter was found. Deputy Attornt
General Cooper said at the time I'll
it was tine only verdict during his te
which he believed to be a miscarris
of justice. Mr.. Cooper believed Il
the facts warranted verdict of gui
Of murder in the first degree. II is 81
posed the Jury was moved with sy
patty by reason of the youth and form
good character OF the prisoner.
Cole was sentenced to five years
prisonment and to pay fine OF $500
Harry WALLACE was indicted at
November term, 1890, for the MUIR
Of Mary q. Perry. the woman W
whom he lived, In Blnckbird hundr
He killed her with hammer.
plea was self defence. He was TO,
guilty of murder in tho second deg
and sentenced to life imprisonment.
LIBEL AND ELECTION CASES.
Among other cases OF interest in
Castle county was that of the State
George W. Roberts, indicted at
February term, 1897, for publishin
political libel against Washing
Hastings. An attack was made U
the Indictment by Herbert IL. w
and Medford II. Cahoon, but
indictment was sustained. Rob
pleaded guilty and was fined $40
costs.
Az the February term, 1897, EdN
Brand and eight Others were indi'
for changing election returns OF
election of November, 1896. III
were the cases In which the ret'
sent to Every Evening by the cleo
ofiicara thrAw ausuioiOu on the zig