Milford chronicle., 1902-10-10
Sussex County Court.

The term OF Fall Court for Sussex county
was marked by an unusually large attend |
ance, which was the result OF many cases Of
public importance to come up at this term.
Elmer Collins, charged with numbering his
wife near Laurel, appeared, and his attorney
Robert e. White, notified the State o. his
readiness to proceed TO trial.
Several cases we're continued until the
April term by the Court.
William Waite Pratt the negro from whom
was obtained the alleged confession that he
killed Mrs. Elmer Collins, was brought into
court and the charge Of numbering Mrs. Col
Inns was abandoned by the state. Pratt was
then placed on trial charged with assaulting
farmer James Anderson near Delmar. The
testimony showed that Pratt is insane and is
a moral degenerate. The jury returned YER
dict Of insanity, and the court committed
Pratt to the State Hospital for the insane at
Farnhurst.
During the day there was hearing Of testi.
mony OF an attempt to approach grand jur-
ors in the interest OF the prominent citizens
OF Lewes caught in the gambling raid. Chief
Justice Lone called in the grand jury and
scathingly denounced jury tamperlng. "This
I is "A grave contempt OF court" said Chief JUS
3 bANS AAVA1s my Will u AalI anu
just administration Ofthe criminal laws OF
this s ate is intOlerable,"
Frank Lewis, the little cOlored boy from
MilfOri charged with stealing $500 from VIM
FINLEY, plead guilty and he was put out by the
court TO Clerk-of the-Peace James H. Wrigh
who Is e train and raise him up right; but
should Frank run away or steal at any time
he il to be turned back to the tender merciel
OF the court.
George Walls, OF Milford, was discharged
from baii,and the charge OF resisting an Off
Ger dropped. TIE tramp over which tn
trouble occurred, escaped from jail severa
weeks past.
Lew Purnell, the chief OF Milford thieves
plead guilty to stealing chickens, and wa
: given five months and ten lashes.
Two boys, one white and the other colOred
were convicted for carrying pistols. t.
court imposed a fine Of s25 gu each, or a ter L
in Jail unless fine is paid. One paid prompt
, and was discharged
, OnTuesday Attorney General Ward handle
to the grand jury bills against six promineI
citizens aud two women OF Lewes for gray
Ohenses against the gambling and LIQUOR sta
utes, as follows Edward T. Veasey ,propri
tor Of the Virden house, illegal liquor selliI
and gam bling; John Veasey his son, keepiI
a gaming table; Jefferson L. Ford, prophet,
OF the Rodney House, illegal liquor sellil
and gambling; William c. Ford, keeping
gambling table and house; David NAPLES,
legal liquor selling and gambling; Ebe
Lynch, gambling; Lille Lawrence, keeping
disorderly house, illegal liquor selling al
gambling; Sadie Martin .disorderly house al
illegal liquor selling
The court then took up a case gainst a u
gro for assault and battery with Intent to XII
Criminal Court will continue all Of ne
week, as two cases Of murder are TO be trie
On Wednesday the trial OF Alex. SheppaI
OF Slaughter Neck, for stealing turkeys fro
James Darby, took place. The jury brOug
in verdict OF guilty IN manner aud form
indicted. Counsel asked for new trial, al
sentence was deferred until Saturday.