Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1857-06-11
COMMON PLEAS COURT.

during the past "eeh WV WV" W" -"
With suitors and witnesses in attendance at the
Common Pleas Court, to say nothing Of tue nu'
merous spectators, drawn here out Of curiosity and
excitement growing out Of a couple OF peculiar
uiAls going on before the court. Judge Hoffman
deserves the thauts Of the citizens Of this county
for the very prompt manner with which business
was dispatched there being four important jury
trials disposed of in four days, ard a multiplicity
of other business transacted before the court; not.
withStanding considerable business was left undoue
for want Of time,
The first case for trial to jury was on Tuesday,
in which Joanna Protzman was plaintiff and VII
liam Clark defendant, under tue Bastardy Act
This case was prosecuted by Messrs. Stambaugh
d McElvane, Of New Philadelphia, and defended
BY Messrs. Eckley & Knight, Of CarroIItou, aud
BelIeu, of Canton. The case was well managed
on the pat of counsel on both sides, exhibiting,
by way Of the proof, some Of the peculiar modes
by which the ingenuity Of a mind in trouble, "
taxed to get rid Of its uncovered shame. The
case was opened to the jury by a speech from Mr.
McElvane, at the opening of which be reviewed
the proofs pro aud con, aud afterwards followed
In a train of thought that did complete justice to
bis clients cause. besides being an honor to the
head aud heart Of the talented counsel, His APP
peal to the jury, in behalf of the Legitimate off
srring, was truly beautiful, graul and ovOrpower-
ing to The feelings, rs was ovincad in the gIisten'
Ing eyes Of the hard aud furrowod Cheeks Of out
sidets, numbers Of whom we observOl brushing
the tears away" His appeal was earnest, pathe'.
ic and foFciblc, for "bread, n verdict for bread!"
II was irresistible: The defense submitted the
ease without argument. A veIdict Of guilty was
niyon, upon which the Court basel a Judgment Of
-Four Hundred dollns against the defendant, to
support The chill. Clark is now in the custody
Of the isilor. with tho intention, ms we are inform.
cd, II applying for the benefit Of tho insoIvenI
law.
Ne1t case was Elias Hawk rs. Matson Ayres,
a Justice Of the Peace, who, It seems, took 'insuf
hcient BALI upon bis docket, for stay Of execu
ton. Look out, gentlemen Justices. You must
have docket bail, who is worth FIVE hundred dol
lars of q homestead, and sufficient property re
naming ont Of which to make the Judgment up
on which lie goes docket bail. Such is the
decision in this case Notice of appeal gwen
Eckley for plaintiff, Champor, Stambaugh " Nc
EIyane for defence.
Third case was Geo. Woods as. Reed Price, in
r~eplayin. We were not present, but understood
the case was we'll contested. Eckley for plaintiff,
stambaugh & McElvane for defence. Verdict
anil Judgment for plaintiff. Notice of appeal Civ
en-.
The fourth and last case for a jury was The case
Of the term. For breach Of promise Of marriage,
Elizabeth Sharp Vs Rev. Joseph Barclay. Not
being personally in the court room during tho pro-
gress Of the trial, we cannot speak Of that NUM-
tia with which this case was tried. But never,
since our knowledge Of our county, was there such
an interest manifested, on tho part Of tho public
IN the trial of a cause, As in this. The facts Nrc
"a We unAt rstand acknowledgement Joseph Bar.
a.ay has bean a regularly ordained Minister of the
("seceder Church" as it is familiarly styled CAS-
uoe;ats Presbyterian Church. and preached at
stated periods for tie congregation in East town.
ship, 10 this county. 1t seems the Rev. went Il
Ioard at the house Of W, b. Sharp, the father OIL
the plsirtiR, in the year 1851, and continued &c
board there I'LL sometime in 1858; aud during
this period lie aud she became intimate, she being
IN her sixteenth year, and he at least thirty. Mr.
Sham. being an elder in the church, permitted
that intimacy to remain unmarried and u%urufied
yeposing the utmost confidence in his spiritual ad
wiser, and uith an abiding confidence in his charm
Ingly innocent, and, alas! too c%onfdiug daughter
permitted that intimacyt 20 remain until the suspi
sioo q guilt flashed across bis sensitive mind. A
hit the saspieiOns confirmed by the dread realit
Il HE aAdieg ~daaghtS's guilt and shame, stoo