Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1906-09-29
MARIA BROWN
FOUND GUILTY
Charged With IiarbOring Sew
enieen Year Old Mabel
LesSing


Judges Royce and Pennewil, sitting in
Court OF General Sessions yesterday ar
ternoon the case Of Maria Brown. charged
with harborlng female child. Mablc
Leasing. under the age Of eighteen years.
for immoral purposes began. There were
1--WE counts in the indictment.
The first witness was Mable Leasing,
who testified that she lived al No. 2ii
East Allen St. Philadelphia she describe
ed her visit 70 the Brown woman's house
and stated that she became an inmate
thereof.
Cross-examined by Robert c.. Hartman,
attorney for the defendant the witness
was asked If, upon her first visit TO
Maria Browns house, she did not tell
Mrs" Brown that she, Mable, was ~
years old. Attorney General Richards OBJ
3ected on tho grounds Of irrevaloncy ana
both Mr.. Hartman and he cited at length
from legal authorities bearing on the
question. The court overruled the Ques-
tion and Mr.. Hartman noted an exception.
Mr.. Hartman then endeavored 10 prove by
the witness that she had told Chief
Black that she was % years Of age. This
was also overruled. He then asked the
witness If she did not tell Mr. Stout and
Mrs. Wogan. matron at the police sta
ton that she was % years old. This also
was ruled out. the court holding that no
evidence Of age had been brought out In
thed irect examination Exc options We're
noted IN each case. After Mr. Hartman
had concluded with the witness he at
tempted to have her remove her coat IN
order that the jurors might judge Of her
appearance. Mr.. Richards objected to
such proceedings and his objections We're
sustained by the court
Mrs. Sarah Leasing, mother Of Mable
Losing testified that her daughter was
born in Mt. Holly. N. j., on August ~,
lSSy.
Chief Of Police Black testified that tho
house. No. SO2 West Third street, was a
house Of ml-fame on March 4, last. Frank
Stout agent for the S. p. c. c. corronor-
ated Chief Blacks testimony. The State
rested.
For the defense Mable leasing was re-
called and asked what she told Mrs.
Brown was her age when she went to her
house. Objected to and objection sus-
tanned. Mr.. Hartman then asked the girl
the direct question: How old are your"
Seventeen" was the reply.
Mr.. Hartman made another attempt 10
have the witness state that she had told
several persons that her age was % years.
Overruled. After some contention and
after the encouragement had given his
consent. Mable Leasing doffed the Ions
coat which she wore and was brought
forward and looked over by the jury
Mrs. Ellen c. Wogan, matron of the
police station was next called and pro-
duced a record book Of the ages Of thos,
women who We're locked up. Mr.. Harmai
ondeavored to have Mr.. Wogan read
certain entry relative to Mahle Lessinl
but Mr., Richards objected and his objec
ton was sustained.
Annie Williams being called testlne,
that she had been an inmate OF the Brow
house when Mabie Leasing applied fol
admission. The question put by Mr.. Har.
man as TO whether the leasing girl statet
her age in conversation with Mrs
Brown was ruled out
Maria Brown, upon being called TO tn,
stand testified that she was proprietros,
of the house No. 800 West Third street on
March 4 last when Mable I.essing CALLED
at the house. The usual question regard.
ing what the girl said about her age wa,
asked and objected TO by the State. Tn,
Brown woman replied, however. while OBJ
1ections were being offered. This let
Judge Lore to say to Mr.. Hartman, eth,
court is entitled to have this case trie,
fairly and you do not seem to be doing 4
now" Asked if the girl stated why sh,
left Philadelphia witness replied thai
Mable leasing said to her that the polio,
chased her there so that she had TO leave
This closed the case and arguments b,
counsel on both sides were made. At ga
o'clock the jury rendered a verdict o.
guilty with recommendation Of mercy o.
the court. Mr.. Hartman at once gave no
tice OF application for new trial.
The jurors We're as follows: ]. M. Nor
lis, Aaron S. Beale, Frank p. Ewing
Samuel Worrell, Thomas A. Cam. jaime,
Grimes, George Cummins Francis Dug
gan, William Bradley. Clarence ID. Grant
Joseph Homer, Charles S. King. Twenty
four names were called before the re-
CURED number Of Jurors were obtained.
In the case OF Wilson Parker. colored
charged with robbing James Ralston. IN,
jury brought in a verdict Of guilty ane
the prisoner was sentenced to one year il
prison and 10 lashes.
i