Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-01-26
Trial Of w. W. Flower Of
RaEennau
W. W. Flower, who Assaulted J. O..
Prentiss, is Tried---Verdiet Of Guilty
Brought in.


The Portage County Democrat gives an
extended report of the trial of ". ". Flow
er who assaulted Mr.. J. C. Prentiss on the
18th of December last, in the store of D.
NJ. Clewsll, Ravenna. The case came on
for trial last Tuesday morning, in the
Court of Common Pleas, before Judge c. &.
Gliddon.
The Court House was crowded, large
number of ladies we're present, and en- in
tense interest was manifested in the pro-
eeedings.
The trial of Flower commenced under
the indictment for Gan assault with intent
to MURDER" The first proceeding in the
case was to empanel the jury. This was
done with but little difficulty, and the jury
consisted of the following gentlemen
Lyman Bryant, Freedom /; J. V. Nell,
Deerfeld Jacob Brown, RootstoWn VIM.
Cowell, Edinburg; Homer Chapman, Roots
town; Gibbs Hallock, Rootstown A. N.
Bissel, ROois,own Willis Strickland, Ra-
VIENNA E. A. Chapman, Ravenna B. F.
Bombarger, sufield.
Mr.. Prentias was the first witness called
by the State. His testimony was as fol-
lows:
he is clerk for D. NJ. CleweI Was in
the store about eight o'clock on the morn
ing Of December II, 1864. Was about leav-
ing for breakfast when Flower came in, and
asked for Warner. Told him he was gone
to breakfast. He then asked Prentiss to
change q SI00 bill. Prentiss replied he
could do so ; went to the safe, opened it,
took out the money, had counted some $50,
when witness was struck q heavy blow on
the top of the head, by o person from be-
hind. Staggered back from the effect of the
blow, from the desk, clutched it for sup
port, pulling the money off on to tho
floor. Was blinded By blows, and rendered
mumenLArily unconscious. Next knew
was dragged down into the cellar, and fell
at the foot of the stairs, face down. Soon
after was struck on the back of the head
severe blows. impression at the time was
struck with stone. After being struck,
the person unbolteI the back cellar-door.
Steps were heard uD stairs. The person
came 70 me, standing behind me, knelt upon
my body, pressing heayy-seemed TO listen
for my breath. lay quiet for fear he might
strike again. Steps were heard in the
back cellar door. Soon Decatur Cutler
called, up stairs. I answered, and hehelP-
ed me up stairs.
Other witnesses were sworn who testified
that they had seen Flower, that morning,
enter ClewelPs store, walk rapidly away,
and that they had entered the store and
found money scattered about, the cellar
door open, and had helped Mr.. Prentiss up
stairs, &C., &c.
The Democrat says:
The defense introduced no evidence what
ever, and declined to argue the case The
State alsoiwaived argument, and the case
was submitted to the jury upon the charge
of the Court.
Judge Day requested that the Court
charge that if the jury find that the defend
ant had committed the assault without in
tent to kill, that they return q verdict of
assault and battery only, and the Court
charged.
The jury retired from the court room, and
after an absence Of less than ten minutes,
returned and, through their foreman, VIM.
Cranage, returned q verdict of guilty as
charged in the Indictment of assault with
the intent to murder.
At the hour we go to press the sentence
had not transpired-and will not be made
until the other indictments pending are
disposed of. The penalty for the crime of
which Flower is convicted, is from three to
seven years in the Penitentiary. Itisprob-
able in a case so aggravated that ths high
est penalty will be given the convict.
h H. Willard and Hon. A. Hart, con-
Quoted the case for the State. Hon. L.
Day and P. B. Consnt, for the accused.