The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-02-27
Circuit Court,

| uOl u ulFUlCC.
| Circuit Court,
Monday Judge Blanchard overruled the
motion for continuance in the case of Geo.
w. Rice, the notorious sickle-grinder swim
dler Rice was Indicted in 1882, but the
case was granted continuance from term to
term until it was reached the other day,
when the defendants attorney, Mr.. Bull,
attempted to obtain another continuance,
but was refused, and the boni declared for
feitcd Rice system Of swindling extend
ed over this and neighborng counties, and
be adroitly managed to evade the law when
cornered. Three citizens of Princeton,
among whom is L. f. Munger, were Mce's
bondsmen for s. 900. The latter was in the
city Monday in regard TO the matter. Mrs.
Rice was in the city also, and returned to
Princeton with Mr.. Munger.
Joseph Corcoran, the defendant in the
bastardy case instituted by Miss Bridget
eastman. Of Wallace, AMI wlo was declared
the father Of her child, recently, after a bit.
terly contested suit in the County court, has
appealed the case to the Circuit court, and
the fight will have 10 be renewed later on.
Stenke, the fire bug, who was convicted
of setting fire to the old Exchange building,
was brought before Judge Blanchard Thurs
day afternoon and received his sentence Of
two years in the penitentary. The prisoner
took the matter coolly, and after returning
to Jail his wife had long interview with
him. lie was taken to Joliet on the accom-.
mediation yesterday morning.
In the Circuit court Thursday afternoon,
Judge stipp presiding, Attorney General
Hunt, of Springfield, appeared for the pco-
pies defense, and Duncan & O'Coror for the
plaintiff in an argument to set aside clause
in the Mrs. Chapman will, which provides
that the residue and remainder Of the es-
tate after having made certain gifts shall be
distributed among the worthy poor Of the
city of La Sale" 1t is claimed that the term
worthy poor" is so general ambiguous and
indefinite that this provision of the win can
not be put into effect. Judge Blanchard re
quesel Judge Stipp TO hear the motion and
arguments, as be was one Of the executors of
the will and before the lady s death an attor.
ney for her. The Chapman estate in round
numbers is worth in the neighborh0od OF
$1,000. Yesterday Judge Stipp decided
that clause of the will relatating TO the
worthy poor as null and void for the rea
sons above given. The case in either event
would lave been taken to the Supreme court.
Legal proceedings were hesun Wednesday,
in the Circut cour; by the filing Of notice Of
contest in the will OF the late William Clay
ton, who died Dec. 3, 1885. The parties to
the contest are Lille L. Clayton and Jessie
Clayton against William Il. Clayton, executor
Of the last will and testament Of William
Clayton, Julia s. Clayton, Caroline {. Rcy
nolds, Jos. c. Reynolds, David Dick, Sarah
= Dick, Of this county, Allen c, Lodge. o.
Piatt county, and the Chicago National Bank
of Chicago The plaintiffs, Lille I. and
Jessie Clayton, pray that certain deeds OF
conveyance executed by william Clayton be
set aside and declared null and void; also
the last will and testament of deceased and
the probate thereof, and that the property dis
tributed among the heirs according to law
The grounds on which action at law IS based
is that the said William Clayton. at the time
Of executing his last vii! and testament, was
not Of sound mind and memory, Int on the
contrary'was in his doage. This will be
another great contest, as the property left by
Nr. Clayton is estimated 10 be worth about
100000.
Suit was entered in the Circuit court
Thursday by the firm of Nicholson and Gen
| tleman against the President and Bolrd OF
Trustees of Marseilles, damages being placed
at 5000.
TIE SATISFACTORY CASE,
| "There came burst Of thunder sound on
the midnight air of Nov. 10, 1884, and next
morning the soap rendering factory Of Job
Dawson, about mile from the village Of LIE
land, was found scattered 10 the four winds o.
heaven, hardly vestige Of the building
being visible. The terrific explosion was
heard for miles around. A short time before
Dswsons soap factory had been frei by an
incendiary and burned to the ground. He
then built one of stone and brick, with an
iron roof-a structure that was considered