The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-05-01
Charged With Raising Bills.

The evidence in the suit Of Gilbert
s. Randall. of Adrian. against the {.
St. P. NJ. & O.. Railway Co., TO recOv-
er the value of grist mill and 1000
bushels of wheat which burned on
May %, 1889, was completed Thursday
afternoon after a three days trial.
The plaintiffs claimed that the fire
was caused by sparks from locomo-
tive engine on the road, and that the
wind was blowing towards the mill,
which was at little distance from
the track. The grass and weeds near
the track first took fire and the flames
rapidly bore down on the mill. The
railroad attorneys attempted TO show
that the fire was started by sparks
from the mill. 1t was merely ques-
ton Of fact with the jury, who only
had TO fine for the defendant or the
full amount of the damage for the
plaintiff. John A. Lovely made a
fine argument for the plaintiffs, and
:. L. Perrin spoke only a few words
for the defendant. The case was given
TO the jury at six o'clock, with in
suTuctiOns that if they agreed before
morning TO bring in a sealed verdict.
An agreement was reached in half an
hour. In the meantime the court
had taken a recess until ten O'Clock
FRIDAY forenoon. The amount which
the plaintiffs demanded was $4,000
and interest at seven per cent. from
the day OF the fire. OF this, 81, 600 was
for profits. which the court ruled out.
The jury Friday forenoon handed in
their sealed verdict. when the court
had convened at ten o'clock. The
verdict was for the plaintiffs, and the
amount of damages was placed at
$4,000. The jury also awarded in
terest on this sum TO about Sl,S7S,
making total of S15.S7S. The at
torneyS for the plaintiffs were well
satisfied, having secured all that they
had asked for, except the 81, 900 which
was ruled out.
stay Of proceedings. in order to pre-
pare for a motion for new trial.
This was granted. and it is probable
that the case will either 60 TO the
United States Supreme court, or to
the new Court Of Appeals. which the
last Congress provided for. The YER
dict is one of the heaviest ever award
ed by any court in this county.
The trial of John Rozells, who is
charged with raising 81 silver certifi-
Gates TO so, was begun. In outlining
the case. Assistant z. S. District At
tOrney Edgerton stated that the de-
PENDANT is charged with passing a
raised bill upon a merchant at Will
mar, of whom he purchased S1.35
worth of goods. receiving back SIS. % in
change. ROZells had on his person
when arrested similar bill. and the
inks. pens, etc, used in raising the
certificates. RoZells is a man of about
fffty-five years. and of good bearing.
He is defended by E. st. Julian Cox.
of st. Peter. The first witness put
on was the merchant who took the
forged bill. Before he could an.wer
the first question, Mr.. Cox objected
TO the taking Of any testimony, on the
ground of nearly score of defects
which he alleged exists in the indict-
ment. He made quite lengthy ar
gument in unfolding his point.
We were in error Thursday it stat
ing that Arthur Quincy, of Saltwater,
had been discharged, no Indictment
ment having been found against him.
1t was James Connolly, of Minneapo-
lis, who was discharged. He had been
accused of opening letter which was
addressed TO another man of the same
name, and appropriating an express
order for S24. which it contained. and
spending this amount. He claimed
that he could not read, while the let
ter showed that the order was not in
tended for him.
Quincy pleaded guilty to the charge
of stealing chain from package in
the saltwater postOffice, and was
sentenced to one year in the state re-
formatory at st. Cloud.