The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-26
The Members of the Warren County
Ring Sent to State Prison.
EXTRAORDINARY SCENES IN COURT.
Scathing Address Of Chief Justice
Beasley to the Prisoners.
BELvIpERE. n. j.. Jan. %. 1879.

pether i'm the dock sentenced criminals. Never was
such scene witnessed here. Long before daylight
the merry jingle of the sleigh bells announced the
coming of the farmers They came from every direc-
tion-from Easton Philpsburg. Washington, Hack
ettstown and the numberless smaller towns and vii
lagos fifty miles around. Special trains the Bel
vidcre Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad and the
Delaware Lackawanna and Western Railroad poured
hundreds people into the until it overlooked
The hotels filed up. the livery stables closed their
doors. and finally the private stables followed suit
Horses were stabbed the streets after that and the
large public square in front Of the Court House
resembled cavalry camp At seven o'clock in the
morning the doors of the Court House were be-
sieged by men and wcmen who desired TO
get good seats The doors were not open. however
and the hustlng crowd grew larger from hour to
hour In fact. the great doors of the Court House
opened at all for at eleven O'Clock the court
lobbies and galleries completely filled
with privileged persons who had been admitted by
the Sheriffs entrance. To say that the room was
packed would express but a very feeble idea of the
state of affairs The fact of the matter is that there
were not four square inches of the floor seats, win
dow stills backs of seats where man could bestow
himself unoccupied In the ladies' gallery the
was simply indescribable. There was not room
to sit down. so every one stood up. Fully half
hour before Chief Justice Beasey arrived the two lay
judges sat down the bench and gazed solemnly at
the audience. who gazed as solemnly back.
AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE.
About half past eleven o'clock Chief Justice Beasley,
preceded by four tpstaves who forced passage for
him. entered the court and took his seat the
bench The immense assemblage was instantly
hushed to silence. District Attorney Henry s. Harris
rose slowly and in low tones, heard. however. dis
tinctly in every part of the Court House, said
"May it please the Court now move for sentence
upon those who have been convicted at this
term of court.
The Court-Let the prisoners take seats on this
side Of the room pointing to the dock).
Dr. Cox came first and sat down in the first chair.
He was pale and his eyes were red with weeping.
Next came Jesse King who was red as Cox pale,
and who exhibited extreme nervousness. Then came
Simon A. Cummns. his face furrowed with care.
despairing expression about his eyes and his lips
moving as it in prayer. Edmund Teel came next.
of his mouth twitching convulsivey, however, and
his face deadly pale John N. Girens. with casped
hands and knotted forehead sat down next His
quick eyes moved sharply from side to side and
ne appeared to drink in the exDesson upon every
face drawing from them hopes or fears they might
indicate. Then Bulgin came i'll and sat down smiling
and apparently light hearted. Francis McDermott
sat next to him. holding his fur cap between his
hands his bright gray eyes gancing from the Judge
10 his attorney. Sliker was very pale. the hue Of
death on his hands and face. Most of the time he
sat with face bowed in his hands and sobbed audibly
AS the convicted men all seated Mr..
J. q. Shipman arose and on behalf of Francis Nc
why new trial should not be granted. The motion
was based upon the alleged admission OF illegal evil
dcnce, mistake in the charge of the Court to the
would reverse the verdict. The Court, after con-
sidering the points of the motion. denied it,
On the denial of the motion Mr.. Shipman made
earnest plea for mercy for Messrs. King, Bulgin.
Cummins. Teel and others. Colonel Robson also
larly Mr.. Teel and submitted number of petitions
and afdavits drawn by friends of the convicted per-
sons. The Cour' received these papers and retired
TO confer as to the sentences. In the meantime the
friends of the prisoners had gathered within the bar
near them as they could possibly get. and would
occasionally whisper words of comfort to them
JUSTICE.
In about half an hour the Court returned. and the
whispering which had been going on in the room.
came to a sudden stop. There intense silence
Chief Justice Beasley turned to Simon A. Cum
Minis and told him to stand up. The old man
dressed him. Chief Justice Bcasley said Simon
A. Cummins, you have been convicted upon two in
certainly remarkable ones. and it Is not surpris-
ing that they have excited such degree
of attention and interest. This series of crimes
stands unexamped fortunately in the history of the
State of New Jersey and think in the history of this
whole country. number of men reputed to be
spectacle holding positions OF public trust and pri
yate positions of prominence, banded together
to rob their fellow citizens. This would not
be so remarkable i, perhaps. IN some crowded
persons ready to embark in enterprises for
plumber and robbery but in All agricultural conmu-
nifty. i'll moral neighborhood among good influences,
with schools and churches at their very DOORS these
crimes astound and brighten society. think the
duty. stern lessen has been taught them. and
trust it will do them good. One set of knaves
came together to nominate for Office another
set of knaves and the honest people of the
county did nothing but look This remissncss
and sipinencss OF the people, Cummins. gave you
and your associates the opportunity, but what led
you and your associates into it cannot say. You
a man well advanced in years. You not
young man. This not a sudden lapse
from virtue. You and your associates have made
crime your business. You have had secret meetings.
forgeres have been committed. The Court has been
1.a1
any circumstances of mitigation. The Court wanted
to find something to alleviate the matter. but we can
sympahsa " With 10" ,omr rend e With yo
family, with your sons and daughters, upon
whom the effects of your crimes will descend
in after years. but we also remember how you came
upon the stand and swore to falsehoods. The duty
OF the Court is plain. 1t must stigmatze and brand
your conduct"
THE MILL OF THE LAW
The Chief Justice then proceeded to pass sentence
upon each one of the men in turn. addressing few
words to each as they stood up. The sentences we're
follows
simon A. Cummins. ex-Collector of the county. on
two indictments for conspiracy two years on each,
to together.
Edwin Dulgln, the 'go between of the Ring. on
two Indictments for conspiracy; eighteen months ON
each. to run together
Edmund feel. cx-county Collector and ex-Treasurcr
Of the cit, of Philipsburs. on one indictment for
forgery and conspiracy two years the former
and one on the latter. 20 run together.
John y. Girens exAttorncy TO the Board Of Free
holders. two indictments for conspiracy; eighteen
months ON each. to run together.
Jesse King, ex-frceholder OF Beividere, one in
diciIneut for conspiracy: wear.
JOnn B Siiksr, contractor and builder of bridges,
on three indictments tor conspiracy; $500 fine and
sir months ia the County Jail.
Brpreis HeIernott. two indictments for conspir-
All one gssr on each Indictment To run together.
Charles y otrsder. ex-Director of the Board Of
ffetotAefs on Indictment for forgery and three
ta egnsgrscyi two years on each indictment. to
run tf.efhef.
Df. John v. Madison. cx-cIerk OF the Board Of
Froeholders on four indictments Tor forgery; four
years on each Indictment. 20 run together.
Dr. Henry NJ Cox, at the present time member OF
the Board OF FrcchOldors, OH three indictments for
conspiracy; eighteen months each, to- run to-
gctlicr
All of tlicse for hard labor at state
Prison. except that of slikcr
II was evident that the Court sentencing no
ordinary criminals. Every one moro or css AZ
fected. The Court itself. the lawyers and the men
who crowded about all felt keeny the disgrace nut
upon the county and the misery inflicted upon
the unfortunate who were leaving happy
and prosperous homes for the state Prison.
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