Milford chronicle., 1919-05-02
MONEY FIGURES IN CASE
BEFORE PARDON BOARD

At a special meeting of the Stat'
Board of Pardons on Monday after
noon the case of Elkton G. Adams o.
Wilmington, who is serving a two
months sentence in the New Castle
county workhOuse on a charge Of eX
tortion in a transaction in which h'
was involved in the purchase OF Lid
erty bond from a young man in VII
mington, was reOpehed for the benen
of Lieutenant Governor Eliason, WhC
was not present at last months meet
ing. The reopening was due to the
fact that it was supposed Adams tern
would end in two days and it was de-
sired that he be released by pardon
before his term expired 50 that he
might have a clean record on being re-
leased. 1t developed, however, at the
hearing, that Adams, because of some
alleged infraction of the workhOuse
rules, would not get time off for good
behavior, but would be compelled to
serve his full time, which will be ten
or eleven days longer.
/ Former State Treasurer Swain and
former State Senator Newton, both of
Bridgeville, who had known Adams
and his family, testified to his good
character. Messrs. Swain and New
ton had attended the trial of Adams
in Wilmington but were not called as
character witnesses for the reason,
as they stated, that Adams attorney
believed he would be acquitted or at
least given a fine and that it was not
necessary to have character witnesses.
When questioned by Chancellor Curtis
as to whether they had ever heard
anything detrimental to the character
of Adams, Mr.. Swain said that he
had heard nothing but "rumors" and
did not pay much attention to them.
Chancellor Curtis questioned Attor-
ney Cooper as to his last visit to the
workhOuse to see Adams, on April 10,
and asked if it was true that on that
visit he had taken 800, which was
paid to either Adams or another in
mate of the workhouse, against the
rules of the institution.
Attorney Cooper replied that on his
visit to the workhOuse on the date in
question he had gone there to close a
deal in the real estate business, which
had to be done at that particular time
and that he had taken the hundred
dollars, but that the transaction was
not with Adams, but with another in
mate of the workhouse, interested in
the real estate deal. Mr.. CoOper adj
mltted that the money was wrapped
in newspaper and that the balance
1ue on the deal was to be paid some
lime in May. He added that if the
Information impaired TO the Chancel-
or by Warden Cross was as the Chan
'elior stated, Warden Cross surely had
nisconstrued the transaction.
ROBERT G. Harmon said that if mere
ole rumOrs were to be presented in
ne case, he would put his name in
ne press, strongly condemning such
cnons on the part of the workhouse
ficials.
chancellor Curtis interrupted Mr.
harmon by stating that he keenlv re-
ented what Mr.. Harmon had said and
that he knew nothing of the
'orkhouse transaction until Monday
men he conversed with Warden Cross
yer the telephone as to the Adams
ase.
Mr.. Harmon further stated that If
le chancellor based his information
rumors' =, such thing had no right .
be brought before the board in the .
ise
Chancellor Curtis asked ATTORNEY
ooper if he took the money to the
orkhouse. Mr.. Cooper said he did. (
II only for the purpose stated. that
closing a real estate deal.
Lieutenant Governor Eliason asked
no got the money. Mr. Cooper said
was another man, an inmate of the
OrkhOuse.
Ihe board deferred action until the
gular meeting on Thursday.