The New York herald., 1870-06-04
JERSEY ca.ulsAL SOUVENIRS.

Sentence Day in Trenton, N. J.-Maher, tho
New York Forgcr-Two Little Girls Sent tu
the state Frison--rhe Milk Libel Case.
The Mercer county Court House at Trenton, N. T.,
was crowded IA the forenoon yesterday, It being
understood that justice would be mc.ed out TO the
several Offenders convicted during the recent term
Of the Special Sessions. Chief Justice Bcasey pre-
sided, ana Associate Justices Robbins, Yard and
Drake occupied seats on the bench.
THE most noted criminals were Maher, alias Shea,
the forger from New York, ana the two
little girls Maggie Mcclure and Sarah Long, with
the particulars OF whose crimes the readers OF the
HERALD arc already acquainted. Maher pleaded
Trenton National Bank, ana the two girls acknow.
edged theft OF nearly $780, perpctraied IN Trenton
u few weeks Slice.
on being brought before the Grand Jury Maher
pleaded not guilty, and was prepared TO prove that
guilty TO the charge oi forging cheek for $500 the
The check alluded 10 was obtained from other par
1000. In the meantime constable Dean was sent ON
TO New YORK FOR the purpose OF hunting
ylous character OF lhe prisoner He discovered that
this Maner was no other than Shea, OF the hrm OF
oaddy 4 shea, engaged som some years ago IN the cot
drels carried on thriving business Tor time,
filing the haies with pieces Of old iron and getting
them shipped OF 70 England ~ genuine. They were
finally detected ana The nrm birst up. since then
itappea's that THIS Maher, aiias Shea has lcigued
himself with set OF unpruciplcd scoun irels ana
the constable alluded TO was made acqua,nie / with
them all during his visit IN New York, beng even
introduced 70 some OF them anu passing some time
III their Company.
AS the trla was about to come on some of his
frends came on rom New York Ms W tnessee but on
coming into Tue Court House they were amazed to
see the constable III new role, he was introduced
70 them IN New ioTk as Philadelphia Alderman.
ts,, .ma las so sfap .aas was ~. ~ ior
train, and shea beng without witnesses aa no alter
native Dut to plead guilty.
The Chef Justice In passing sentence alluded to Tho
gravity o. the oiIenc', as wea to the damaging I'M
nuehce OF MS conneXion with tile gang above men
tlcned He therefore sentenced him 10 the State
Prison Sor the Term OF two years.
With regard 10 The TWO little girls the Court
hardly knew What 10 do with them. The lenity hith
ero shown liem IN sim lar circumstances was
abused, and II the same lcnent course was pursued
towards them now they would he likely 10 commit
gret ell that there no reformat0ry provided by
the state tor young fcnaie CRIMINALS, and hOped
that the next Legislature would give this matter
their serious consideration. The best course under
Prison. He mad made arrangements 10 guard
them from the concentrating influence or the
older and more abandoned criminals OF that
INSTITUTION. Tncy would be kept by them
Court was tnat they shoad be confined IN the State
Prison FOR year. AT this announcement little
Maggie, hitherto the more unconccrned OF the two,
burst into tears, having apparently realized the gra
witty vi the offence which up 10 this she regarded as
tfihng affair.
Tile other sentences were rather light consisting
or lnes Inflicted Oh charges OF assault and battery,
and for other offences OF trivial character. milk.
man, nainel Freeman was fined i;ty dollars and
costs Tor having published and distributed printed
circulars 10 tie effect that another milkHaii, named
Eas,Durne, was selling The mix OF deceased cattle.
The trial q s libel excited good deal OF interest
IN TTenton 2Ed lbc pnnis hment would have been
more severe but that the jury recommended Free
man t. the mercy OF lIle Court.