Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-08-04
Special Argument Court.

A special argument court was held with a
full bench on the 9th day o. July, of which
the following is trief synopsis
John Earnest was appointed collector OF
taxes for the borough of Patterson.
The Clerk of the Quarter Sessions was au-
thorized TO certify the Indictment of W. j.
McMeen from the court of Quarter Sessions
of April Term 1856, to the court of Oyer
and TermineI of April Term 1886. for the
reason that no order for venira to draw a
grani jury in Oyer and Terminer court had
been issued.
The Court refused to grant an order fol-
the payment Of costs incurred in an inqui-
sition held on an unknown man in the sta
BILE of Henry Dum, of Fermanagh town.
ship.
Robert McMeen was appointed special au-
ditor in the estate of Joseph Pomeroy, do
ceased.
Simon Ulsh was appointed guardian of
Clara E. Wix.
J. G. Crawford was appointed guardian of
WIN. Boyd Crawford and Ella N. Crawford =,
minor children of Wm. Brice Crawford, de-
ceased.
Auditors reports were filed in the follow
ing estates: Elizabeth Loughridge, David
II. Markle, and Michael Umholize.
In the estate of Abraham Book, deceased,
petition for inquest in partition was grant
ed.
In the estate of VIM. Robson, deceased,
return was made to inquest and rule on
heirs granted, returnable September 2lst,
1886.
In the assigned estate of B. T. Grocer, au.
ditor b. F. Burchield filed his report.
A. j. Patterson was appointedto take tes-
timony In the lunscy case of Abraham Dep
pen, of Walker township.
j. Howard Nicely WAS admitted to prac-
tice law in the several courts of Juniata
county.
In the case of ". T. Neff, who was sent
to the Insane Asylum al Harrisburg at last
court The Court directed the costs to be
paid by the county.
rule was granted on the overseers of
Turbett township, to show cause why the
costs incurred in the maintenance of W. T.
Neff at an asylum should not be paid by
said township.
In the estate of David Keemer, deceased,
petition was granted for order to sell real
estate.
In the estate of Amelia Benner, deceased,
petition was granted for order of sale of
real estate.
The case of the Commonwealth VS.. Wm.
J. McMeen, for the murder of his wife on
the morning of the 9th of last March by
sending her dose of strichnine, was again
before Court on a motion for q new trial.
Judge Barnett carefully reviewed the twen- |
ty-one reasons that McMeen's lawyers put
in as plea for new trial, and in overrul- !
ing their motion closed his able paper by |
saying ssThe jury have rendered verdict
with which he is constrained to say that he |
firmly believes it would be a violation of
official duty to interfere" Mr.. Meminger, |
clerk of the court, requested McMeen to
rise TO his feet. He arose without exhibit |
ing emotion and to the question of the
Clerk whether he had anything to say why |
sentence of death shouli not be passed up /
on him, he answered 81 have nothing 10 /
say, only, l am innocent of this crime"
The Judge then sentenced him to be hanged |
by the neck until he is dead, and may God
have mercy on his soul. The commonwealth
the Judge to instruct the Sher-
ff as to his duties under the law, toward
the prisoner, so that he may not escape.
The Sheriff was instructed to keep the prIs-
oner in close custody and if there be danger
of his escape through any weakness of the
all, he shall De placed under guard until
the County Commissioners meet and pro-
vide for his securement by guard or by
chain.