Evening journal., 1902-04-29
DISCUSS NEGRO SUSPECT
Laurel Citizens Express Different Views
on the Subject
special 10 The Evening Journal.

Special 10 the Evening journal.
Laurel, April 29-All day yesterday
small crowds of people discussed the
arrest OF William Waite Pratt for the
murder OF Mrs. Aida Collins. The
friends of Elmer Collins. husband OF
the murdered woman, who was ar
rested for the crime. are elated over
the result but the other faction, who
believe in Collins guilt,are not shaken
in their faith. and are not slow in ex-
pressing themselves over the second
blunder made in the case.
IL is reported on the best authority
that Detective Dimaio, assistant su-
perintendent of the Philadelphia PIN
kerton Detective Agency, sat upon the
stomach of Pratt for three hours sun
day i'm his cell in Georgetown Jail,
until he finally, after having the life
almost crushed out of him, acknowl-
edged the crime Pratt is without a
doubt an imbecile. and will not answer
the same question twice in the same
manner. And that he was almost
scared to death was evident from his
actions. In one instance. in particular,
when he was before Magistrate Hearn,
he showed signs of the ordeal through
which he had passed. When the mag
istrate asked him where he was on
the day of the murder he promptly
answered: Il was in Dover" At this
tho detective. whose hand was hand
cuifed to that of the prisoner, gave his
arm an awful wrench, and cried.
Whats that? You were in the place
We carried you this afternoon" The
lnegro's face was contOrted with pain,
and he meekly bowed his assent. This
Is the way the confession was wrung
from the unfortunate darkey, who will
answer almost any question in the af-
iirmatiye If it is put at him strongly
not knowing the consequences.
At the farm on Sunday several
times while he was being led
around by the detectives whom he told
he had buried the money, but which
he could not find when he got upon
the scene. he exclaimed: II was never
at this place before in my life. and
did not kin the poor woman. These
and several other things connected
with the scene. have made those who
believe in Collins guilt even stronger
lin their convictions. and they sympa.
lthize with the poor unfortunate negro
who has no counsel. and not enough
Sense to tell a straight story
State Detective Ratledge who ar
rived here yesterday afternoon, said.
I'VE don't put any faith in the arres
lof Pratt We have our proof, some oi
which will surprise many when il i.
ldivulged at the proper time. We hat
anticipated his arrest, and was pre-
lpared for it, lt has no real bearing
upon the case. We looked into IL be
fore the others had. and know what W.
lare doing"
Work on the new street crossing
was commenced yesterday afternoon
land by the end of the week Laure
viii be equipped with the best cross
inss of any town in Southern Della
ware
At a practice signal last week th
liire bell. which hangs in the waite
tower. was cracked so badly that
new bell will have to be purchased.
The body OF Mns. Katie Riggir
which was found in the laurel rive
yesterday morning, has been remove
TO the home OF her niece, in Bethel.
Ills thought the old lady, who was s
years old. and slightly demented, ha
become tired Of life. and took thi
means Of ending it.
III Misses Lou Coulbourn and Kittie Per
nington. of seaford. were I'm town yes
Iterday afternoon.
George Stengle, editor of the George
town Union Republican, was a Laur'
Ivisitor yesterday.
The Rev. c. NJ. Cullen. formerly
pastor Of Christ NJ. p Church. but no
OF Greenwood. was in town yesterda
eircling among his many friends.
J. A. Phillips Of Georgetown, VIII
has been the guest Of relatives heI
for sone time. has returned.
| George ". Pusey IS In Wiluingto
! and Shilacelphia.