Bridgeton pioneer., 1891-01-29

one and told in an off hand straight
forward manner. When sifted out,
however, it did not seem that the evi.
dence enlightened the jury much in
the case in the question.
Hon. Franklin Lawrence and F. M.
Riley, of the bank, were called and
gave testimony which enabled the de-
f-nse to offer in evidence certain
papers and bank books.
Capt. VIM. L. Johnson, testified that
after Stevens arrest he had beard Mrs,
Smith tell Ephraim that she had no
knowledge Of the checks. When
Stevens left her house the witness
heard Mrs. Smith say "Eph. you be
good boy and you'll come out all
right"
| AT the conclusion of the testimony
the court adjourned for the day, and
Judge Hoagland announced that the
jurors not on the present panel were
discharged for the term.
FRIDAY MORNING.
The defense continued it's work this
morning in the Stevens forgery case.
Il. O. Newcomb, the Millville lawyer,
testified that he had drawn will for
Mrs. Rhoda B. Smith. The will was
executed by Mrs. Smith A month or
SO after the lady did not seem to have
any recollection of executing such
will. This was about two years ago.
Justice of the Peace 8. W. Wells said
that at the hearing of this case in his
court, Mrs. Smith testified that she
never signed any checks for anybody
William B. Robinson, said that at the
request Of Mrs. Stevens he drew a
check payable to Mrs. Rhoda Smith
for the sum of SIS, at that time Mrs.
Smith was at the home of Mrs. Stevens.
DR.. Farr said that about two weeks
ago, Mrs Smith told him that she had
been subpoened to 60 to court, but she
would not know what TO say unless
they told her.
The defense rested its case at this
point.
In rebu ttal Benz. R. Evan, was called
to the stand. He is a carpenter by
trade. He identified a check given
him by Mrs. Stevens for repairs to the
house. The check called for $137. On
Oct. 18th he was about the Stevens
house all day. He did not see Mrs.
Smith there at ALL Mrs. Stevens said
the check was filed out by Ephraim
Stevens.
Geo. Wainwrights said the two checks
which he took to the bank were Of
the same amount, not one for $15 and
$50. Mr.. Wainwright counted the
money when he paidit to Mrs. Stevens.
Mrs. Hall said she saw the bed tick.
ing cut in the Smith shed after the ar.
rest
Miss Hall said she was at the Smith
residence on the 18th, all day. Mrs.
Smith was not at the house that day.
E. Lummis Smith denied that he
had gone to Stevens house, and got
the bed ticking referred to by Mr..
Stevens. The first time he saw the
goods was in his mothers house.
Mrs. Ida Duffield lives next door to
Mrs. Stevens. Mrs. Dufield said she
had conversation with Mrs. Stevens
the night after her arrest, and the de-
fendant asked the witness if she would
not say her little boy was sent after
checks by Mrs. Smith, as Mrs. Stevens
said she wanted to get out of this
trouble, Mrs. Stevens promised Mrs.
Duff1eld a handsome present.
The case was now at an end as far as
the evidence was concerned, and Mr..
Mitchell began the first argument to
jury.
Mr.. Mitchell made a most elaborate
argument. He was very clear and
convincing. He reviewed the evidence
from the first witness and. referred to
the improbability of much of the
States testimony. While speaking of
the $50 check, Mr.. Mitchell said, Mr..
Stevens took the check to Mrs. Smith,
and never saw it again" Mrs. Smith,
who was attentively sitting on one of
the front benches, broke out, 'She
never brought it there" This caused
Mr.. Mitchell to remark, MADAME let
their be peace between you and me.''
During Mr.. Mitchelrs address, every
body in the Court room was greatly
impressed, and ofttimes tears appear.
ed in the eyes of the ladies, who were
sitting near the bench.
Mr.. Ware made quite lengthy ar.
gument to the jury. He dwelled chiefly
upon the feebleness of mind of the
States principal witness, Mrs. Rhoda
r. Smith.
Mr.. Logue in the beginning of his
argument, said this was the last day of
the present term, and the last case in
the term, and he was glad of it. Mr..
Logue said in this particular case he