Evening journal., 1901-05-24
SIXTY LASHES
FOR POISONER
Chief Justice Imposes Record
breaking Sentence
PRISONER was NOT AFFECTED
Pleaded Guilty to Having Poisoned
William EIIegOOd, and Other
Counts We're Dropped

Ernest Dutton may enjoy the dis
tinction of being the man upon whom
the most severe corporal punishment
has ever been passed by Delaware
court. but he bears it, nevertheless.
Dutton is the colored man who was
indicted in General Sessions Court for
having poisoned William Ellegood,
Rachel EllegoCd, his wife. and their
three boarders. Joseph Hopkins, viii
liam Gibbs and William Dennis, by
putting strychnine in their food sew
eral months ago. When arraigned
Dutton pleaded not guilty to the
charges, but upon the advice of his
counsel. William F. Smalley, he with
drew that plea in court this morning
and re-entered one Of guilty to the first
count. which charged him with poison
ing William EllegOod. On that charge
Dutton was sentenced to pay a fine OF
5000 and costs, be imprisoned for the
term OF four years, be whipped with
sixty lashes and to stand one hour in
the pillory. The passing Of such a Sc
we're sentence dumbfounded everybody
who heard it, except DuttCn. He was
entirely composed not realizing what
such punishment win mean TO him.
that the corporal Punishment sentence
was the heaviest he had ever imposed.
Disposition of the Dutton case closed
the General Sessions Court calendar.
For their efficient work the court
thanked Attorney-General Ward and
his deputy, Mr. Richards.
In Superior Court Andrew c. Gray
was appointed commissioner to take
testimony in the divorce case Of Short
VS.. Short; John G. Gray. in the case of
Jameson VS.. Jameson; Charles NJ Cur
tbs in the case of NUM- VS.. NUM-, and
Leonard E. Wales in the case OF Patty
vs.. Patty
The replevin case of McMullen VS..
'McMullen. was referred TO counsel for
settlement. Adjournment was made- OF
all the courts until Monday.
PROBATION FOR ANOTHER PRIS-
ONER.
Yesterday afternoon Thomas Samp-
cell, an 1S-year-Old boy, pleaded guilty
10 the charge of larceny OF lead from
]. Edward Addicks. AS the offense was
the boys first, he was released on pro
batiOn, Francis S. Bradley having be-
come his surety.
Theodore Adams pleaded guilty to
running crap game and was SEN
fenced to pay fine of 500, or in de-
fault to spend three months in Jail.
George Tucker, colored, charged with
running a crap game. also pleaded
guilty and was sentenced to pay a
fine OF 500 or serve three months
George Williams charged with
gambling, was held in $1,000 bail for
the September term of court The
case against Henry. Demby, colored
charged with stealing a basket OF po-
tatoes. was nolle pressed by Attorney
General Ward after some Of the evil
dence had been heard.
David T. Marvel presented a motion
to set aside the sheriff's sale of the
property of II. l.. George and NJ. L.
George on the ground Of insuhiciency
OF price for the property. The rule
is retuTnable on June l.
Because of an error in the indict-
ment. the encouragement dropped
the case charging Benjamin B. Fergu-
son with practicing medicine without
p license. The cases charging Michael
Grady and Dr. f. w. Lang fer con-
ducting business without a license
were continued until next term.