The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-02-02

was what he had heard. Thompson had
told him the affair was an accident.
DR.. Howard Allen was called to testify
to the extent Of the injuries to the child
and her condition when she was brought
to him for treatment. He said she died
from the effect of the burns.
Sewell Thompson was one of the young
men who was on the sidewalk where Oak
son passed by. He said he was about two
yards from the ''main bunch" He heard
some one ask what are you peddlingf"
and heard Oakerson reply that he had
gasoline Thompson said Oakerson, at
that time. was about three yards from him
and South, and William Thompson, who
threw the match. was within two yards of
where he stood. 1t would not haye been
any trouble for any one to have heard the
question asked Oakerson and the reply
and thus there could not have been any
difficulty about knowing the contents of
the pail. The witness did not hear any
suggestion Of match being thrown in
to the pail
Robert A. Abbott. who owns the hotel
and bowling alley right opposite to where
the accident occurred, was supposed to
know something about the affair, but he
did not see anything of it until he heard a
noise of breaking glass and then he looked
out and saw the flames and found the
child was on fire.
Daniel W. Bussom was standing on the
corner of Main street and Railroad ave-
nue. when the accident occurred He saw
Oakerson cross the street with bucket In
his hand. When he reached the men some
one asked him what he was carrying and
the answer was gasoline" Witness was
forty feet from the men and he plainly
heard every word spoken. Bussom saw
Thompson give his hand flirt and then
heard Oakerson say "You have cut thun-
der now" AS he said this Oakerson drop
ped the pail and jumped aside. He made
two or three steps after he said gasoline
and before the match was thrown. Wit
ness saw the flame come right from the
pail. showing that the match struck the
gasoline. Bussom saw the flames reach
ing the buildings near and he started fol
the engine house.
The testimony of this witness brought
out facts that other witnesses did moi
seem to be able to remember, He said he
was forty feet from the scene and hi
plainly heard every word spoken, while
those close by claim they could not speal
positively on this subject. After the jury
had gone out some criticism was made or
Mr.. Bussom's statement of the distance
but he told the representative of TIL
News that he was prepared to equestion
ed on that point as he had measured thu
space. He also was very positive that thu
flames came directly from the pail. Thi
offset the idea of one other witness WHIT
! volunteered the information that gasoline
forms gas which, on damp,days settles
/ and that a match thrown on thu
pavement would ignite that gas and thu
match need not have touched the fluid.
Several other witnesses were called bu
they did not know anything about thu
actual occurrence, having been called tt
the scene after the flames had been started
William Thompson was asked If b
wanted to testify. He was warned tina
he need not give evidence unless he so de
sired and was also told that anything HI
said would be used against him in cas-
there were further proceedings. He sale
he was aware of the conditions, but wished
| to tell all about the sad occurrence. HI
said he was sitting In front of South'i
store, talking horse" He lighted hi
pipe and threw the match away. HI
never. saw Oakerson, did not know he wa
around or that he had gasoline in pail
Did not hear anyone ask If Oakerson ha(
| gasoline and knew nothing until he saw
the flames and found the child on fire
Then he rushed in and endeavored to saw
the little one. In doing so he was badly
burned and both of his hands we're bounC
up.
This concluded the testimony, and a
the request of the coroner Prosecutor At
kinson charged the jury. He explained
why the inquest was held In this county
In the absence of evidence of deliberatioI
the question arose whether there could b.
sustained a charge Of manslaughter
Where person is reckless or 80 impru
dent as to commit an act whereby dealt
ensues the charge of manslaughter nigh
easily be upheld. Everybody knows tina
gasoline is very dangerous article. l
the man who threw the match did no
know that any of the stuff was around b.
could not be held, but If he was aware o
1t and acted carelessly then the jury ha'