For the Delaware Journal.
{"newspaper_name": "Delaware journal.", "edition": "01", "page": "p3", "byline": "COURT OF OYER AND TERMINER,"}
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Dover, DelaUare, October s8th 1897


On Wednesday morning came on the trial Of Sol-
omon Greenly charged with burning the public Jail
of Kent County.


The circumstances they were detailed in the
course OF the testimony were as follows The prs-
was confined in the southeast room of the
cond story, on charge of horse-stealing. On the
night of the Goth Inst, between the hours of and
IL O'Clock, the inmates of the prison we're aroused
from their sumbers by the cry Of fire, which pro-
ceeded from the in which the prisoner
confined. A vivid light was emitted from the pris-
oners room, which, examination, proceeded
from the southeast corner OF the upper floor imme-
dately above the prvy, which was on fire. The
prisoner was standing with his clothes tied up in a
bundle, with his face to the door, begging to be let
out The door was then unlocked, and he was ac-
cused of having set fire to the Jail. He denied it,
and said it was an accident. A few sticks of wood
were then discovered on his hearth with the ends
burnt, and but little fire in the fireplace. The
prisoner made his escape, and was apprehended
and brought back to Dover the evening of the
2lst Inst. There had been Il man named James
Spple confined in the same room with the prisoner,
who on the morning ofthe Goth was discharged un-
der the insolvent debtors act TO this man he fire.
quently observed that he had rather be burnt up
than remain in prison until the Quarter Sessions
and said moreover that he should like to the Jail
in a light blaze


The jury, after having retired for about an hour,
brought in verdict of Guilty.
| James Rogers, Esquire, Attorney General for the
State. William Huntington and Charles Marin, Es-
qures for the prisoner


This morning about half past 10 O'Clock the pris-
oner was conducted into Court He came in with
his head inclined forward his eyes down cast, and
his whole appearance indicating sense of misery
and wretchedness.


The Court asked him if he had any thing to offer
why sentence Of death should not be pronounced
against him. He replied that he was innocent. Ills
honor, Chief Justice Johns, then proceeded to ad-
dress and sentence the criminal, which painful duty
he discharged in his usual solemn, feeling and appro
pirate manner adding that he had had the benefit
of far trial and that his council had urged every
thing which could have been urged in bis favor, but
that the circumstances were too strong to admit up
on the minds ofhe Court single doubt of his guilt,
and concluding with the following sentence:


That you Solomon Greenly be taken hence to the
place from whence you came, and there remain in
the custody of the Sheriff until Tuesday the Goth
of November next and be then taken thence by the
said Sheriff to some convenient place, and there,
between the hours Of II o'clock in the forenoon,
and O'Clock in the afternoon be hung by the neck
until you be dead; and may God have mercy upon
your soul.


J, The Court was sensibly effected, and the criminal
seemed to feel the soemnties OF moment SO aw-
full to himself. The prisoner was then re-eoRyey-
ed to prison.