Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-08-17
COURT PROCErDvNCs.
tReported by A. N. Brlce.l


Com. VS.. Patrick Hester, Michael Gallagher, |
and others.--Rot. True bill. This is case Of
considerable Importance, and for the Common
wealth were employed the District Attorney,
Gen. Clement, J. w. Comley, VIM. Lawson and
w. III. Dram, Esqs., and for the DEFENDANTS
Messrs. Boyer, Simpson, Lavell, Davis AMI Rel
mensnyder. The alleged riot occurred in Slamo-
kin, on Sunday, the goth OF May last mem
Der of the Molly McGuires, or of the Ancient
Order of Ilibernia, as they are now called, died
at Locust Gap. Let it be remembered that the
Catholic Church, by their rites and laws, forbid
| the burial of any one outside the pale of their
/ church In their graveyard, nor will they allow
any one belonging to a secret organization to be
buried In their burying grounds. Father Koch,
/ the pastor of st. Edwards Catholic Church, of
Shamokin, on the aforesaid Sunday morning told
his congregation that he was told that member
| of the Molly McGuires was about to be forciby
buried in their graveyard, and that it was con-
| trary to their rites, and he further warned his
| people from going to the ground for fear of a
| riot. But, after service he said he would go
| himself and warn them not to 90 in. He did go,
| and after he arrived at the graveyard gate, the
Molly McGuircs, with the body came up. They
did not heed him, but broke open the gate, forci
bly, entered, and forcibly bured the dead body In
| the graveyard. They carried ont their object,
and to all intents and purposes, II was carried
out in a riotous manner. Pat. Hester, one Kelly
| and Michael Gallagher tore open the gate, and
| they marched in, notwithstanding the protest of
| Father Koch, who had, and now has, by the
/
| ing ground. The presence of this pastor of St.
| Edwards on that Sunday morning, prevented
one of the greatest riots, perhaps, which ever oc-
| Cured In the coal region. He counselled peace
and quiet, and demonstrated kindly, but while he
| kept the crowd ut bay, they still entered the
| ground Their entry, and the forciblc way II
was done, was as much riot, perhaps, as II ii
had been done in seas of blood. in this case
several priests were present, and the Bishop OF
Harrisburg. and large number of very respecta-
! BILE people Catholics and protcstants) from
| Shamokin, were In attendance.
Gallagher above named was tried about n year
ago, in our Court, for the murder of the Douty
House porter, (colored,) and acquitted by the de-
| fendant's friends swearing an abb. Hester was
also tried for the murder of Rey about two years
ago In Columbia county, and acquitted III the
same way. Both of these men were considered
guilty of murder, and, 1t is sad that Hester has
! since admitted his guilt.
On Saturday morning the reasons which the
defendants counsel had fled for new trial,
were ovcrruled by the Court, and the prisoners
were brought in and sentenced. The sentences
were as follows, in the Eastern Pcntcntiary
Patrick Smith, two years, Michael Gallagher,
two years and three months, and Patrick Hester
! two years and seven months. Thus have three
very bad men been sent out of the community
which they have Jor years ovcrawed and dciied,
and now receive just portion OF the merits Of
their crimes which they so richly deserve. 1t
may be trne that the bad reputation OF these men
| had not little to do with their conviction Orthc
crime of riot for which they were tried, but the
| Jury after being ont several hours brought in q
verdict of guilty of aggravated riot, of couspra-
cy to riot, and of common riot. The charge of
Judge Rockefeller was considered by all, and es-
pccaly the defendants counsel TO be very fair
and impartial. The bad character of the men
only aggravated their crimes. Their counsel
were ygalent and faithful.
On Saturday morning tho Sheriff started to
Philadelphia, assisted by VIM. NJ. Hendricks,
John Hang, William Waldron, Wellington Hum
! r,.I., - 4.
convicted candidates for the Eastern Pcnitentiary
and the House of Refuge. The prisoners are as
follows:
Vim. Horn, for breaking Jail, one year.
I Pat Smith for riot, two years
Michael Gallagher, for riot, two years and
three months.
Pat Hester, for riot, two years and seven
months.
John Devany, for riot, three years.
Henry Wclker, for riot, one year.
Wm DclbOugh, for riot, one year.
John Day, for larceny, one year.
Alex. Riner, for larceny, one year.
James Carter, coorad boy from Milton, for
larceny, to the house OF refuge.
In the following cases the Court ordered Bench
Warrants to issue against the defendants, and
have them brought in for trial.
Com. VS. Lewis Marquett-Sellng liquor TO mi
| nors. Bound over to November Sessions.
Com. vs. LoNNio Rummel-Selliug liquor to mi
nors. bound over to November Sessions.
Com. VS. George Heck-Selliug liquor TO mi
nors. Bound over to November Sc sons.
Com. VS. Joseph &. Arnold-keepug disor-
derly house. Bound over to November Sessions.
Com. VS. Thomas A. liall-Seliiug liquor to mi
nors. Bound over to November Sessions.
Com. VS. Samuel Hirsh-Keepiug n disorIerly
house. Bound over to November Sessions.
Com. VS. VIM. Basc-Seing liquor on Sunday.
Bound over to November Sessions.
Com. VS. Patrick Burke and Edward Brennan
Nuisance for not repairing public road. Plead
guilty, and held in their own recognzancc to
next term for sentence, and to give time fol de-
PENDANTS to repair road.
Com. VS. Vim. DebOugh, Henry Wclker ct al
Assault and battery with intent to kill. The de-
PENDANTS were convicted for having assaulted
German in Shamokin in an aggravated manner.
They were sentenced to a year in the penitcntia-
ry. These same young men were in our Quarter
Sessions in March last as witnesses to prove they
had been the minors who bought and paid for IL
quor in the saloons of ShamOkin, to prevent the
applicant from obtaining license. This is the re-
suit of their drinking and of their violation Of the
liquor law. The vendors thereof are as guilty
morally as they.
Com. VS. Harrison Hem-Selng liquor on Sun
day. Recognizances forfeited, defendant not ap-
pearing.
Com. VS. Cornelius Cauuon.-Forciblc entry
and Detainer Recognizancc forfeited, defend
ant not appearing.
Com. vs. Mary Finney-Selling liquor without
license. Bound over to November Sessions.
Com. VS. Bridget Burns - Infanticde. Mrs.
ClcpncHsOu, prosecutor. vera. not EulitN.
This woman is the wife OF the man whom Smith
killed by stabbing, in the coal regions, about two
years ago Smith was sent to the Penitentiary
for mansaughter, for nine years and six months.
Mrs Burns, to cover her shame, hid the child for
which she was charged with intanticide, but il
could not be proved-at least the jury thought it
could not.
The Commonwcalth's Attorney performed his
duty well in the position he occupies, serving all
with due courtesy and iaithfuness.
Grand Jury Report:
THE Grand Inquest of Northumberland county
after having acted upon the bills and dscharg-
ed the public business brought before them, pro-
ceeded to examine the public buildings, and Off
ces, and found them in the following condition,
and suggest improvements and repairs as fol-
/ lows:
Upon examination of the jail we recommend
that the wall OF the yard be repaired aud that six
iron bedsteads be purchased also that twelve beds
be purchased for the use of the Jail. We find
that some of the old bedsteads need repairing
which should be done. We find that the
south room in second story needs wall repairing,
and that several new sash are required, aud that
Others should be repaired. Several locks are re-
quired which must be supplied. The large en-
trance gate needs complete overhaung, as let
tiers and tools can be passed from prisoners in