The Daily Dispatch: January 18, 1862., [Electronic resource]

Mayor's Court.

Thomas Coiller, charged with stealing money from Peyton Johnston and Brother, Robert England deposed that he was certain the prisoner was the person whom he saw enter the store while he was there. He had on the same clothes and the same general appearance. Had seen him before in company with. Richard Morris. J. W. Johnston deposed that there were taken from the drawer three $5 notes on the Farmers' Bank, another $5 note and several smaller notes; also, some negotiable notes and other papers, which he found the same day in the alley leading from the Gallego Mills to Shockoe Ship.

The prisoner was remanded to be examined before the Hustings Court, at the February term, for grand larceny.

James P. Neagle, charged with shooting at James. M. Jarrell and hitting a little girl named Mary Mason, child of James B. Mason. This affair occurred on Thursday afternoon, at Neagle's grocery, corner 24th and Main streets.

James M. Jerrell (a soldier belonging to the 14th Alabama regiment, and employed as guard at the Government prisons,) deposed that he walked into Neagle's house and called for some ‘"groceries,"’ at the same time pulling out his pocket book and handing him a fifty cent note, and telling him he wanted twenty-five cents' worth out of it. He took it and threw it into his desk, and, without saying anything more, went to the other counter and waited upon some negroes.--Stood there a while, and then told N. he wanted the ‘"groceries"’ called for. Told him he had given him fifty cents, and he said it wasn't that much; witness said it was, and could prove it. Says he, if that's so, I'll draw you a pint of whiskey, which he did, and witness put it in his canteen. Then, instead of paying over the change, prisoner came round and tried to shove witness out. Thought it strange he should act so to a soldier, and said ‘"look here, friend, you've got twenty-five cents of my money, and I want it."’ Said he thought not. Witness replied, it's no use to multiply words. Says he, if you say so, you can have it. Then started out, and witness remarked that it was rather d — n strange that he should act so to a soldier — shoving him about over barrels in such a way. He then fired a pistol, and the bullet whistled by the head of witness, burning his eyebrow. Was only about eight feet distant.

Mayor — Did he hit anybody?

Witness — Don't know only from hearsay. Heard he hit a little girl. He gave me my quarter.

Examined by Mr. Crane, counsel for the defence.--I am a soldier, from Alabama. Had been off guard probably about half an hour.--Am stationed at the Fair Grounds. Left camp yesterday, about half-past 10 o'clock, to relieve the guard at the prisons at 12. It was nearly night when I went to Neagle's.

Marcus M.--Jones deposed as follows.--I was in the house at the time this man (Jerrell) handed prisoner half a dollar, and asked him if it was good. He said it was, and laid it in his box. Jerrell told him he wanted a pint of whiskey, and he gave it to him; and Jerrell wanted 25 cents back. Prisoner then came round the counter, and ‘"gathered"’ him for a scuffle, which I thought was friendly. Jerrell said he wanted his quarter, and he gave it to him, when Jerrell remarked that if anybody acted so in his own house with a stranger, he thought he wouldn't get much custom, Prisoner said if he wasn't satisfied, he could satisfy him. We then went out and he (the prisoner) came to the door and fired a pistol — then went in and slammed the door. Jerrell seemed to be sober. (The cross-examination elicited nothing important.)

James B. Mason, (father of the wounded child,) testified in regard to the circumstance. He was in his house near Neagle's, and heard the report of a pistol. Soon afterwards his child came in crying ‘"Mamma, a soldier shoot me."’ Found a deep wound in her back, and went for a doctor. The ball had not yet been found. He knew nothing about who shot her except from hearsay. The child is three years old, and of course unable to tell much about it.

John R. Blankinship, (police officer,) deposed:--As soon as I heard of the affair I went down and found a crowd around Neagle's door, which was barred, but he opened it for me, and I went in and took him into custody. I found this pistol there. (A horseman's pistol, of large size.) This was about half-past 4 o'clock, P. M.

Examined by Mr. Crane.--I have known Neagle for a number of years. Never heard anything derogatory to his character. When I arrested him he said his wife was sick, but his son told me this morning that she was not.

The Mayor remanded the prisoner to be examined before a called Court of Hustings on the 23d inst., and refused bail.

Virginia McFadden, charged with stabbing James Keller. In consequence of the absence of witnesses and the critical situation of the wounded man, this case was continued to the 21st inst. The counsel for the defence (Mr. Crane) prepared a statement with a view to applying to Judge Lyons for bail.

Charles Gerth, charged with stealing two overcoats, valued at $20, from F. Dickman. Mr. Dickman deposed that on the 14th inst. he had come to town, and was going home about 6 o'clock P. M., having two overcoats in his rockaway. He stopped to make a call, and on returning to his vehicle the coats were both gone. Had since found them, and they are here in Court.

Christian Unkel deposed that he found one of the coats on the day before, on Frederick Hessler, and knew it belonged to Dickman.

Caroline Leman knew nothing about the affair except that the prisoner came to her house and wanted to sell her a coat very cheap, as he had no money. She bought it for $5.

Frederick Hessler deposed that he purchased a coat of the prisoner, and that some days afterwards he came to him and told him not to wear it, as it was stolen. He then carried it to Mr. Unkel.

The prisoner (who lately came here from Accomac, and declares that the coats were given him by another person, to sell,) was remanded to be examined before the Hustings Court, in February, for grand larceny.

The parties arrested on Thursday night, charged with keeping and exhibiting a game called faro bank, were held to bail in the sum of $1,000 each for their appearance before the Mayor on Wednesday next.

In addition to the foregoing, several trivial cases were disposed of, a detail of which would interest no one.