Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-05-19

Several Important Cases Up for
TriRl-The Weather, the Crops and
Politics.

HINEsvLLE, GA, May 17-EditOr Morn
ing Neaos: The May term Of the Superior
Court of Liberty county convened here on
Monday morning, Judge NJ. L. Mershon, Of
the Brunswick Circuit, presiding, and is
still in session. Judge Tompkins, being dis
| qualified in certain cases here, presided
| for Judge Mershon, at Backshear,
Pierce county, in which court he was dis
| qualified in certain cases. Court was organ
lied rather late on Monday, owing to the
fact that the Judge and the Savannah bar
came out on the ten O'Clock freight train,
and did not get to Hinesville until about
eleven a. m. Judge Mershon's charge to
the grand jury was an able and instructive
one.
The first case on the civil docket was that
| of A. A. Smith, OF Savannah, VS.. John Il.
Martin "a member of the late firm of Mar
| tin q Chanev). Action on promissory note
| for 1919. This case has been iu court since
| 1880, and has been tried several times since,
by reason of new trials granted the plain
| tiff. On this occasion the case was vigor-
ously fought, having consumed part of two
days. The jury brought in a verdict for the
| plaintiff for the amount of the note without
| interest Mr. s. B. Adams represented the
| plaintiff, and Messrs. Meldrtm andFraser the
| defendant A motion for new trial will
probably be made by defendant. Just after
this verdict mortgage was foreclosed. and
were not litigated.
The next case contested was an iniunc-
| ton fled by s. NJ. Chapman against Daniel
| Sullivan, executor ct al, restraining them
| from collecting certain notes made by Chan
man for a certain tract OF land at No. AZ
| Savannah, Florida and Western Railway,
| in which compliments alleged that there
was an ejectment suit pending in Liberty
county In which said land was involved, and
| that the Savannah, Florida and Western
| Railway Company was in possession of part
| of the land. After hearing Major Basinger.
| of Savannah. for complainant, and Colonel
| Lester and DR.. j. w. Farmer for respond
ents. the court refused the restraining order.
The next case in order for trial, and
| probably the most important criminal case
tried in Liberty Superior Court since the
war, was that Of the State of Georgia VS..
DR.. James r. Middleton, charged with
seduction. The prosecutrix was Miss
| Esther r. Houston, and the crime was al
| legged to have been committed In November,
1876. The indictment was found in 1879,
aud alleged that DR.. Middleton was the
| family physician of Mrs. Houston CMiss
Houston's mother. ard that by promise
of marriage and other false and fraudulent
means the young lady was BETRAYED. The
first Indictment was qusshed for some
| technical defects, and a new one found at
the same term, and the case has been put
off from time to time owing TO sickness and
| absence of witnesses. On yesterday after
| noon all parties announced ready. DR..
| Middleton being represented by Mr.. P. W.
Meldrim, whom he employed at this term of
| the court, and the prosecution represented
by Solicitor General Charlton and Col. r. E.
Lester A great many witnesses were ex-
| amiued pro and con, and the defendants
statement was nearly two hours long. At
noon to day counsel commenced their re-
| spective arguments, AMI at half past six
O'Clock the jury retired to make up their
verdict, after having received an impartial
charge from the court In a short time the
| jury returned with a verdict of guilty. DIR.
| Middleton, who was out on bond, was
| brought into court and sentenced by the
Judge to seven years in the penitentiary.
| Mr.. Meldrim gave the court notice of a
motion for a new trial, and took an order
| suspendng the judgment of the court until
the motion for a new trial could be heard.
The grand jury concluded their business
today, and were highly complimented by
| Judge Mershon for the prosperous condi-
Gton OF Liberty county, as set forth in their
| general presentments.
Court will probably last until Friday
night, there being six or eight prisoners in
| jail II the jail is cleared of prisoners this
court, Judge Mershon will have done an ex-
| celent weeks work.
The cool nights that we have been having
recently has caused farmers to be appre-
hensive that the cotton crop will be badly
damaged. Oats and corn are looking
splendidly, and, If the seasons continue
favorable, there will be an abundant
| harvest.
Politics are remarkably quiet in this
/ " inc mi hcton fao
that the Independents have recommended
Mr.. Stephens for Governor.
There is festival in the village tonight
under the auspices of the ladies of the Pres
byterian Church Of Pennington, and from
the patronage they are receiving l think
they will realize a nice sum of money for
their church.
If there are any more important cases
tried this court l will notify you.
TECUMSEH.