Evening journal., 1914-06-12
FELL TO Death
IN RIVER AFTER
MIDNIGHT FIGHT
Chester Man Tells How
Robinson Lost Life After
Four Men Wrangle
TWO DELAWAREANS
ARE Held FOR TRIAL

Alexander Moore, Of this city. and
George Johnson. Of Edge Moor,
cOlored, who were arrested on We'd
nesday by Special officer Green and
PatrOlman Bullock, of this city, and
Sergeant Sill of Chester. on a
charge of murder. were given a hear
ing before Magistrate Robertson this
morning and both men held without
bail to await the action of the Penn
sylvania authorities. Requisition
papers will be made out this after
noon. Moore and Johnson were rep
resented by Philip l.. Garrett, who
entered a plea of not guilty for his
clients. The men were not called to
testify and after they had been held
Mr. Garrett warned them not to talk
about the case to any one but their
attorney
Harry Wilson, colored, of Chester,
who was with Edward Robinson, col
Ored, on Saturday night before his
body was found floating I'm Chester
river with a crushed skull, and who
was slashed with a knife in the fight
that ended in Robinson's death, was
the principal witness at the hearing
today.
Wilson was brought here today by
Chief OF Police Vance, of Chester, and
Sergeant Sill. Fred Tobin, a machin-
list, and Amos Pierce, a riverman,
both of Chester, we're also brought
here as witnesses against Moore and
Johnson. After the pleas of not guilty
had been entered, Chief Vance, act
ing as prosecuting attorney, called
Tobin TO the stand who told of John
son and Moore engaging him to re-
pair the clutch on the engine aboard
their boat. This was early Saturday
night.
Wilson was then called and said
"On Saturday night, about 1880
o'clock Robinson and myself we're
standing at Nugents Hotel, Second
and Market streets, when Moore and
johnson came along. Robinson left
me and entered the hotel. When he
came out, Johnson started to argue
with Robinson and ] said, Don't mind
these Chester niggers.' Johnson ther
replied. We are not from Chester
we are from Wilmington
Wilson then told Of Robinson and
himself leaving the scene. They were
followed BY Moore and Johnson who
said they wanted to meet some Ches
ter people After walking about fol
some time, Wilson said they met &
colored woman who accompanied The
four men to the boat which was ly
ing at the Third and Edgemont ave
nue. wharf Wilson said that Later
the woman ran away. and after tn,
chase by himself and Robinson the,
returned to the boat where Moor,
and Johnson we're.
As they reached the vessel. Wilson
said. "we yelled at the two men who
we've aboard it and the only reply We
got was a sort of grunt."
Robinson then stepped onto the gaso'
line launch. which is said to be owned
by JohnsGn, and the next minute
johnson had Robinson about the neck
Moore the witness said, grabbed hin
and started to slash him with knife
In the fight all four men fell overbOarC
Before the fall Robinson cried: "W'
were the men you met a little while
ago" Johnson shouted: NO you amt,
and at the same time he shouted t.
Moore: 'lNill the --.' Wilson saiJ
he saw johnson striking Robinson il
the head witt something. Moore, h.
declared. ha1 stabbed Sim in the LEI
and heel but he managed - get to tn
top Of the wharf and run away.
Under discrimination, Wilson de
MED that he or Robinson We're intOXi
Gated at the time of the fight. He ais
identified the two prisoners as the mel
who had assaulted him.
Amos Pierce, a fisherman. who's
cabin is about so feet from where tb
boat owned by Johnson had been tier
said that about $3.50 o'clock Sunda
morning he was awakened by hear
ing cries of murder" and help.
On running TO the water front, Pierc
said he saw the men in the waite
struggling All got out but on
man. Moore and Johnson, the wit
ness said. went to the top of tn
wharf, and after talking to them
selves for a while, they cried to hin
the witness, Come here and we vii
explain it to you"
Pierce said that as he was unarmeC
Continued on Page Two.