Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-09-05
CRIMINAL MATTERS.
A Lively Time in City Justice Courts
Yesterday.
SUIT CLUB AGENTS HELD
On the Charge That the Scheme Comes Under the
head Of LOttsry-McCOnsaughsy and
Coss Held for the Assault on Kis
Waltun-BOardiDg House Robbery.
,UIT CLUB AGENTS HELD

large crowd was drawn. The first case
to come up was the American Suit Club
Co., charged with operating lottery
scheme. Hon. A. w. Carpenter, of
Pittsburg, and S. o. Boyce, OF this city,
appeared for the defendants, while
Prosecuting Attorney John A. Howard
represented the State. There were
present quite a number OF local tailors,
and members of the Suit Club Company,
all of whom took deep interest In the
proceedings The witnesses examined
were George S. Otte, w. c. Brown,
Galley Mitchell, Fred. Smith and
Booth Clemens, all members
of the Club which was
organized here by the agents, Messrs.
Geo. f. Shippey and Geo. Is. Kemp.
Messrs. Otte and Clemens, each paid In
81 and drew suit. In each case the
member was handed coupon detached
from the contract for each dollar paid
in. The members were given TO under
stand that they could pay weekly, or
S3S down, and when they secured their
suits, have the remainder OF the money
refunded. The witnesses could not say
what the suits were worth. Prosecut-
ing Attorney Howard held that the
scheme was lottery, in that the cou-
non received for payment OF weekly
dues, was lottery ticket, and asked
that the defendants be held. Counsel
for the defense disclaimed any intention
70 violate the laws, and were anxious
for decision In the case. The defend
ants gave bond in the sum OF 500 each,
for their appearance at the next term OF
| Court.
THE M'CoNNAUGHEY CASE.
The next case tried was that OF the
State VS.. Bert McConnaughey and Geo.
Coss, charged with felonious and mali
cious assault. Col. w. w. Arnett APP
peared for the defendants. The case
grew out Of the assault upon Kis Wal
ton, at 1921 Main street, by McCon-
naughey, on August %.
Florence and Annie Burriss, inmates
of the house, testified that the two men
entered the parlor, and McConnaughey
displayed large rock, with
which he said he would
kill "some niger s. Kis Walton,
hearing the swearing and loud talk, or
dered them out OF the house. colored
man was with the boys came In, and
while McConnaughey and Walton were
quarreling, both urged him TO strike
her. McConnaughey picked up chair
and threw it at the Walton woman,
striking her on the back and knocking
her down, breaking a rung in the chair.
| They then left and went into Myrtle
Lynnwood's house next door. DR.. j. r.
Pipes testified as to the nature Of Miss
Walton's injuries, and said that she is
now getting along nicely and her re-
covery is certain.
The defendants when placed upon the
stand told q different story. Miss
! Walton ordered them out, at the same
time reaching into her pocket for some
thing with which to enforce her order.
She afterward picked up chair, and
McConnaughey kicked 1t with his foot,
breaking the rung. He threw the chair
at her, and then ran out Of the house,
Kis following them, and not falling TO
the floor, as stated by the Burriss girls.
Both defendants were held to await
the action of the grand jury, and in de-
fault OF $500 bail in each case were re-
manded TO jail.
THE BOARDING HOUSE ROBBERY.
The next case called, State v. Morcina
Bobert, alias Andy Smith, charged
with stealing $500 from the boarding
house OF Mike Romanla, in the North
End, proved to be most interesting
one All the parties are Polish, and 5.
II. Galtman was sworn as interpreter.
Romania testified that he and defend
ant worked at the Top mill blast fur
mace, on opposite turns. HIS wife kept
the money, S365, and when he came
home one day, told him 5000 OF the sum
was missing. His story was substan-
TALLY as published In the REGISTER yes
terday.
Bobert admitted that he took the
money, bot said that he did not intend
to steal it. He carried 1t with him part OF
the day, but perspired so much, that he
decided to hide 10 under stone. When
he looked for the money in the evening
he could not find IL. Two months after
ward he wrote letter TO Romanis, tell
ing the circumstances connected with
the disappearance Of the money, and d.
recting the owner 10 the spot where IL
was hidden under the blast furnace.
Romania proceeded as directed and
found the money, but il had evidently
been destroyed by vermin, as there was
not a good bill in the lot. The rem
nants were sent to the Treasury De- !
partment at Washington, and the !
officials returned s37 Of good money.
The letter written by Bobart was In
the possession OF Officer Terrell, and as
he could not be found, the hearing was
adjourned until this morning az 10 |
o'clock. Attorney Crisswell appeared |
for the defense.
THE DIVINE SHOE ROBBERY.
The case against James Richard, |
Chas. Sweeney, Harry Weir, Robt.
Sylvis, and Robt. McElroy, the boys |
implicated in the Divine shoe robbery, |
were next heard. Prosecuting Attor-
ley Howard appeared for the State,
Mr. Crlssweil for Weir, and VIII Dove
ner for Sylvis.
Mr.. Jas. Divine testified as TO the dis
appearance Of seven pairs Of shoes from
his store.
Richards denied that he had entered |
the Divine store, and said that the story
he told Chief Delbrugge after his arrest
was false. He had been told to tell that
story and settle for the shoes, and he
thought In that manner the affair
would be dropped. He was under oath
now, and must tell the truth. His story
was mass Of contradictions and de-
malls. he said he was In swimming ct