The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-10-09

IL kepsa livery Stable. and hired 8 horse froms
him. Whether went into the huuee 90 pay him Ok
take drink, do not remember. The lady Wa
d dog II the back room sewing. Prontis told NJ
she was his wife. Never In tn house but onces
Have frequently seem the lady passing about. Only
knew her ~ Mrs. Prentis. The prisoner and the
lady lived together 90 man and wife, and passed -
respectsble people: Vas 10 Northumberland ct
the time Prentis ieff and heard the talk about H.
have been through Milton since The lady Hives IN
the same town, now, that live in, and passes %
Mrs. PreDtis. She respected there, - far -
know. She has frequently been 10 my house, in
know Frankie il here.
Cross examined by Mr.. Lgons.-I am now en-
ployed by Fisher, Morgan e. Co., at their iron
works, and reside 10 Petsrburs- or Duncanpon, a.
1t IL now called. Mrs. Prentis lives in the same
town, near me- drove the stage to Milton i6 or
II years ago. Mrs p. is dress maker and millincr,
and has been living in Duncannon four or five years
After left MitonI went to the State Of New York,
and remained about seven months On my return,
went to Northumberland TO live.
BY Mr.. Youns.-I was at Northumberland at the
time the news came up that Prentis hsdle
Mr.. Young asked the witness what wss the report
MI. Lyons objected to the qu.ssion's being an
not to snswer it. He argued that common report
could not be given a. evidence In criminal case In
asmucb a. BY admitting it., the prosecution would
tsblished by legal means He admitted that In cases
of pedigree etc. cohabitation and reputation were
admissable but in criminal cause hesrssy evidence
Mr.. Young argued that the question was q proper
one, and should be answered, and cited cases from
the law books to maintain his position. The fast that
the prisoner had lived with lsdy his wife three
or .ur years, proof conclusive that they were
married; and therefore it was proper ask
what were the current reports when he left her,
backed as the question was By the evidence of wit
nesses who proved the marriage and that they &C.
Mr. Morson was surprised to hear the Prosecuting
Attorney lay down any such proposition of law.
Surely the evidence that would not be admitted on
with bisamy. He argued the question with great
earnestness and ability and among other authorities
quoted from Ma!o's Guide, a. follows
prove the previous marriage according to the rites
End ceremonies of the country in which it was cele
not sufficient actual marriage must be proved but
10 do this 1t il not necessary to produce either the
register, banns. license, for the marriage, may
be proved by person present at the ceremony and
by other modes that might be suggested; az for exam
pie, the acts Acknowledgements and confessions OF
svaiabie and sutieisnt for his Conviction. as thew
would be in any 9th or case, and when sufficiently
strons and clear will dispense with the production
The Court on taking the vote, sustained the mo.
ton, and therefore decided that the question was i'm
Mr.. Young now presented number of certificates.
bearing the lesser seal Of the secretary and the great
seal of the Commonwealth, only portion of which
necessary, the original certificate book of Jus
tice Kulp, with the recorded marriage of Benjamin
Prentis and Mary Hunter, having been produced
The first certificate in bis batch Of papers that
of the marriage of enj amin Prentis and Mary Hun
ter by Justice Henry Kulp on the 21st February,
1884. in Lewstowp, Miffiin county. Pennsylvania.
art Justice of the Peace for Miflin county, stating
that he had Henry Kuip's record book, and certifying
true copy Of the marriage lines of Benjamin Prem
The third was from Thomas F. Mccoy, Prothono.
tary OF Mitiin county, certifying that Henry Kulp
was Justice of the Peace in 1884, and that George
w &tawatf un
The fourth was from Abel S Wilson, Judge of the
goth Judicial District certifying that Thomas F. Nc
Messrs Kulp and Stewart were Justices.
The fifth was from E. s. Goodrich Deputy Secre-
tary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, certify
their acts and deeds were entitled to full credit
tn -re and elsewhere. This document had the Lesser
seal of the Commonwealth attached.
And the sixth was from Governor Bigler with the
great seal of the State attached certifying that s.
Goodrich was deputy Secretary of the Common
wealtb.
Mr.. Young next read the act concerning marriage.
passed BY the Legislature of Pennsylvania. showing
that marriages were regarded as civil contracts and
could be solemnized by Justices of the Peace.
Benjamin. f. Prsntis, Jr, examined.-I am son
Of the LADY in court. and reside in Duncannon, Pa.
Will be 20 years old the last of next August have
slghtirecoli ections of childhood. Remember man
living with mother, and that called him papa
Haveino particular recollection of his leaving Saw
his trunks put In carriage and saw him get in the
carriage and 20 off His brother followed him with
drove of horses recognised the prisoner to-day
Oy the appearances OF MS DrOEB6r In teHDgytv6nla-
The man alluded to- left my mother about fourteen
years Noah Prentis the brother of the prisoner
am unable to identify the prisoner as was small
Cross examined BY Mr.. Lyons-I came here with
my msther. Did not know that should be called
on to testify until got here Have since had sub.
pona served upon me. s.ss I.5la -
anderson Grub5s was next called, but the counsel
for the prisoner admitted his marriage to Miss Mel
cena M. Minton of Henrico, which was all that he
could prove.
The Commonwealth being through with her testi-
mony, the case was submitted to the Court without
argument and the Justices unanimous for send
ing m for final trial before the Circuit Court for
Henrico, which commences its fall term on the 18th
of this month. After recognising the witnesses the
accused was remanded to prison, and tho Couft ad.
journed for the term.
The length of our report has prevented us from
noticing more fully the arguments of counsel on
both sides We have merely attempted to show
the positions the points raised and discussed by
them.