Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-11-10

therefore were John J. Bnrkholder, Julia
Burkholder, Lovenia Burkholder, Perry G.
Burkholder, Henry Burkholder, Thomas Burk-
holder, Ia lad IA years old Noryal Hawk and
his wife, and daughter Of John J.. Burkhold-
er, and Mary Hawk. The goods stolen were
the property Of the Penn'a Railroad Co., or
rather were taken fromtheir cars, and amoun-
ted to upwards of three thousand dollars
worth.
Bishop Cousins Ware, the Judas of the
family having been called to the stand, testi-
fed that he, Margaret Burkholder, whom he
afterwards married, and Mary Hawk went in
company, after night, to the cars and with a
key, procured for that purpose from Norval
Hawk, opened the same, and helped them
selves to the contents. Their nocturnal visits
were frequent, and it was seldom they went
away empty. These goods were carried to
Norval Hawks house, in Altoona, and thence
conveyed to the farm of J. J. Burkholder,
who resided about four miles from Altoona.
Here the goods were concealed. Sometimes
Henry and Thomas came up with horses and
would take load from the cars directly to the
farm. This unpreeedenteds system of stealing
continued during the months of October, No
vember, December, and January, 1864 and
62, and when the search was made almost
every nook and corner about Burkholder' s
premises were stocked with stolen goods
Every room in the house, from the cellar to
the attic; the barn and the corn crib; the bee
house and the out houses, all contained their
share of drygoods, groceries, boots and shoes,
notions, &C.
Many of these goods we're identified by the
merchants who purchased them, and it was
clearly proven that all we're stolen from the
cars of the Company. All on trial were i'm
plicated, except Perry G. Burkholder, and
the Commonwealth failed to make out case
against him.
A strong defense was set up in favor of
John J. Burkholder. He enaeavored to show
that he was absent from home the greater
part Of the fall and winter, and was entirely
iguorantof what was going on-that the goods
were brought there during his absence and
not a word spoken on the subject while he
was at nome. ne iearncu cOunSel, MeSSTS.
Blair and Calvin, made powerful argument
in his behalf, but circumstances were so
strongly against them that they failed in their
attempt The jury retired on Saturday after
noon, and returned the following verdict, af-
ter about an hours deliberation; Mary Hawk,
Henry Burkholder, Tho mas Burkhclder, Lo-
venia Burkholder, guilty in manner and form
as they stand indicted and John J. Burkhol-
der, Norval Hawk and Julia BurkhoIder,
guilty of the second count, but not of the first
count; Perry g. Burkholder, not guilty. The
second count in the Indictment was for con-
cealing stolen goods, knowing them to have
been stolen.
The prisoners, with the exception of Mrs.
Mary Hawk, whose physical condition was
such as to prevent her presence, were brought
into Court yesterday friday afternoon, and
each sentenced to two years confinement in
the Western Penitentiary, to which institution
Sheriff Bechtel informs US that he viii convey
them on Monday next. Much sympathy is
expressed for the unfortunate conyicts, and
an effort will doubtless be made to have them
pardoned.