The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-06-26
Cireule Court.

| Our Circuit Court commenced its June term
on Monday of last week, with larger dockets
than usual.
The first week was taken up with proceedings
in chancery. None Of the cases were specially
noticeable, unless that of Bernard n. Lantry v.
Thomas Lantry may be considered SO. This
involved the title to 80 acres of land, laying
about miles north of Ottawa. Originally this
land was the property of John Lantry, the faith
er of the complainant who had, prior to his
death in December 1859. transferred it, by war
ranty deed, to his brother Thomas Lantry, then
and now residing in Chicago. The only question
in the case was q to the nature OF the transfer
1T being alleged by complainant, and denied by
respondent, that the deed was really intended to
convey the estate to the respondent, a. trust
for the benefit of the complainant, and that it
was not an absolute conveyance of "all right,
title and interest" to the respondent. A large
number of witnesses were examined, and the
case was taken under advisement. The Court
has since rendered decree in favor of the COM
plainant- The case will probably be submitted
to the Supreme Court. Gray for complainant
Avery for respondent.
On Monday last the Court took up the crimi.
nal docket Only one case has Is yet been deci.
ded, and that 10 . horse-stealing case. James M
Widner was charged with stealing span Of
horses from Alonzo Walbridge. The defence
was, frst that he did not steal them, but that il
they were stolen. some other person did the deed.
In mitigation of punishment, it was attempted
to be shown that if the defendant stole the hor.
ses. he did it to procure the necessary means to
pay bail for some other offender against the
majesty of the law. The Court, in giving the
instructions, could not see that this was any
mitigation of the offence, and the result of the
case was that Mr.. Widner, by the verdict of a
jury. was ordered to four years practice of
atone-cutsins, other gentle labor in that splen.
did palace called the Illinois State Penitentiary,
at Joliet.
On Wednesday the case of The People '. Gin.
ton and Eugene Dewey, of Mendoza, was taken
up. The charge is burglariously entering and
feloniorsly taking from the residence of Mr..
Mckee, Of Mendoza, q revolver of the value of
Sl5, more or less. Inssmuch as the case is still
on trial and tho proof not yet all in, We forbear
any remarks upon Its merits. 1t may and prob.
ably will take up the balance of the week
The cases next in order are against the same
individuals and their father, for alleged arson in
setting FIRE to and thereby destroying mill in
Mendoza
The case against Mr.. Hathaway, one of our
Co. IL.
fers, has, by agreement, been passed to the foot
of the docket.
An important case of manufacturing and pass
ing counterfeit money from Peoria county has
been set for Tuesday next Hon. w. W. O'Brien,
of Peoria, and Geo. w. Stipp, of Princeton, be-
ing for the defence.
Tho grand jury finished their labors on We'd.
nesday, finding quite number Of true bills
against parties worthy and unworthy. Wheth.
er the worthy or unworthy are in majority has
to be left to the judgment of a common jury. A
true bill was found against Healey, of La Sale,
for killing boon companion. Whether it was
malice aforeasought or merely fun, or possibly
accident that caused this destruction of life, can
only be decided by the wisdom OF twelve men,
who, after hearing the testimony, will be SUBJ
jected to the infection OF the contradictory theo.
ries of contending counsel and the dreasy plati-
tudes of written instructions, from which mix
ture they will doubtless "render a true verdict,
according to the law and the evidence"
The grand jury, on finishing their labors,
made the usual condemnatory report on the con.
dition Of the county Jail.
By an act of the General Assembly of the
State Of Illinois, passed at its last session, the
Judge of the Circuit Courts of Kendall, La Sale
and Bureau counties was authorized to appoint
an Official Shorthand Reporter, to take testi-
mony in all cases deemed sufficiently important.
The Judge has appointed George Buckley, of
Chicago, brother.in.law of Mr.. Tavener, the
respected Agent Of tho G., R. I. & P. R. r., as
such Reporter. Mr.. B. is now here, attending to
the duties Of his Office and giving complete salts.
ton to all parties. We believe he is likely to
make our city his permanent home, and hope
such will be the case. There is certainly large
field Of labor for competent shorthand writer
in this city.
Lessrs. Editers You made q sorry mistake