Evening journal., 1904-09-28
ARRAIGNED FOR
MANSLAUGHTER
Armstrong Appears in Court
on Clutches and Pleads
Not Guilty
-FOUR YEARS FOR ], F, ,.WaITCRAFT

Charles II. Armstrong, who was in
dicted by the grand jury for man
slaughter in causing the death of How
ell H. Van Trump, superintendent
Of the linemen of the Wilmington Elec-
trio Company. was arraigned in the
Court of oyer and Terminef this morn
ing and pleaded not guilty. Armstrong
appeared in court on crutches and on
account Of his condition the court al
lowed him to sit down while the in
dictment was being read. The defend
ant fell from a telegraph pole two
weeks ago and broke his leg David j.
Reinhardt withdrew as Armstrong;
counsel and the accused man will be
defended by l.. Irving Handy and Dam
iel o. Hastings.
Whiteraft Gets Six Months.
In the Court Of General Sessions this
morning L. Irving Handy. counsel for
John F. Whitcraft. charged with MUIR
derOusly assaulting his wife three years
ago, claimed that under the statute of
limitation his client could not be tried
on this charge. Attorney-General Ward
contended that the man had been a fu-
gitive from the State and therefore the
statute Of limitation did not govern
this case. The court decided that Whit
craft would have to answer to the
charge.
After the courts decision Whitcraft
through his counsel changed his plea
from not guilty to guilty Of assault
only. The assault occurred on October
90 1900, when Whitcraft stabbed his
wife over the heart with a pen knife.
After the marriage the couple lived to-
gether for only six months and had
been separated for two years when the
assault took place The defendant was
arrested in Chester last summer and
the State had considerable trouble in
securing requisition papers to bring him
here
Several witnesses were called by
both the state and defense before the
court pronounced sentence Mrs. An
ME F. Herold, the former wife OF
Whitcraft, who was assaulted, was the
first witness called by the State. She
| testified that her former husband was
Of very nervous temperament and on
the night of the assault had begged her
to come back to him and she refused.
DR.. II. r. Spruance testified as to
the nature of the wounds sustained by
Mrs. Herold.
Mrs Nellie Whitcraft. sister-in-law
Of the accused, William Whitcraft and
Dr. ]. Smith Cooper, the family ply
sician, all testified that the prisoner
was very nervous and at times SEEM
ed to be partly insane.
The court sentenced him TO six
months in the workhouse.
Radcliffe Acquitted.
Walter Rdacliffe was acquitted by &
jury of driving a horse to death. He wa,
defended by w. W. Knowles.
Samuel Macy and Henry Macy both col
ored, were placed on trial charged will
assault with intent TO murder Edward +
i, Nehr at New Castle on the night of july
4. last. The prisoners We're defended By
Josiah o. Walcott and James Saulsbur.
prosecuted the case for the State. Boil
Nir. Waleott and Mr.. Salisbury ar
from Dover and It was the first time tha
either of them have been before thi
court. they having only recently been ad
mitted. Both Of the young attorneys con
Quoted their sides Of the case we'll an,
were commended by some of the olde
members OF the bar who We're present.
>, Paul Shiles and John Norwalk were be
ing tried for the larceny Of a boat whei
court took a recess. John W. Brady /
counsel for the prisoners and Daniel J
Layton represents the State.
= Superior Court.
H. II. Ward, counsel for the Diamond
State Steel Company, made a motor
in Superior Court that nine suits
t against the company be stayed pend
I ing the determination of the bank
! ruptcy proceedings against the com
J pany in the United States Court. TIT
court granted "A rule to show cause VIII,
the suits should be stayed and mad,
it returnable on Saturday.