The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-09-23
SALEM
THE COUNTY COURT.
The Watkins Case Continued.
Shepherd Dismissed.
ROANOKE TIMES BUREAU,
EOrI,r T1-cEYHE SATrN VA

The september term of tho county
court convened Monday, Judge Griffin
presiding, and up to yesterday evening
has disposed of tho following business:
The grand jury, John w. Johnston
foreman, mado the following present
ments: Commonwealth VS.. John Mas
sic, house breaking; Commonwealth VS..
Hampton Hofangcr, felonious wounding;
Commonwealth VS.. Curtis White, forg
cry; Commonwealth VS.. Jonah Johnson,
felony (rape); Commonwealth VS.. Chas
Haislip, assault and battery; Common
wealth VS.. Quinn Robinson, carrying
concealed weapons.
Elijah Poage, of Back Creek, quail
flied as notary public, date of commits
sion, September Is, 1891; bond $500,
surety Il. M. Starlley:
Jacob S Baer, w. Lee Brand and J.
A Finke were appointed as appraisers
of the estate of Sallie S. Webber, de-
ceased.
A. G. Pendleton, of Salem, qualified
as attorney.
Thomas Il. Kingcry, resigned as con-
stable OF Cave Spring district, and l..
L. Brickey was appointed in his place.
The case of the Commonwealth VS..
Hampton lIoifanger, indicted for felo-
nious wounding of A.. Nj. Martin near
for defendant, he being admitted to bail
in the sum of $3.50 with Mcssrs. George
and William Hofangcr as suretics.
Samuel Pearson was ordered to he dis
charged, no indictment being found
against him.
Charles Haislip indicted for assault
and battery, case continued, and de-
PENDANT bailcd in the sum of $50.
w. II. Ruthrautf was appointed trus-
tee in place Of John NJ. Evans in Il trust
deed executed by the town of Salem.
John NJ. Wright, qualified rs notary
public.
William A. Snead was appointed ad-
ministrator of George Is. Houtz. de-
ceased, with bond Of SS,OoO; sureties,
Messrs. James z. Houtz and Marshall
=. Frantz.
The case of John Massie, indicted for
bouse-breaking, was continued for de-
fcndant.
Charles L. Hatcher. of Salem, quail
fed as deputy for George M. Hase,
treasurer of the county
John w. Preston was tried for feloni-
ously wounding (by shooting) William
Jones and his vito in Ninton, in July
last, and the jury found him guilty and
fixed his term OF confinement at four
years in the penitentiary.
Charles Watkins. charged with the
murder of his vito, Susan Watkins last
spring, was brought into court this
morning. looking neat, clean and com
posed, and dressed in black. Mr.. a. b.
Pugh, his counsel, asked for further
continuance till next term, as defense
desired the presence of important wit
nesses from Milwaukee and Chicago.
The case was continued, and about
fifteen witnesses, mostly colorcd, re-
cogniZed to appear at next term of the
court.
The principal case of this term has
been that of James L. Shepherd.
charged with embczzlcmcnt whilst in
the employ Of G. i. Strouse e Co., in
the insurance business. Shepherd was
brought into court Monday morning,
clearly shaven, and dressed in light
summer coat and vest, dark pants and
outing shirt.
He looked cool and confident and has
borne his long confinement since last
December we'll. 1t will be remembered
that at the trial in March last the jury
found him guilty and fixed his term of
imprisonment at one year. Colonel
Hansbrough, his counsel, obtained for
him now trial on the ground of errors
in the Indictment. On Monday now
indictment, with fOrty-two counts,
charging him with embezzling in the
aggregate the sum of SiS627, was read
by the clerk, taking threc-Quartcrs of
an hour to read it through The wit
nesscs in the case were Messrs. c. Is.
Strouse, w. b. Bowles, c. f. McCor-
mick, Frank Chalmers, j. Is. Powell,
w. Talbot and ID. c. Shanks, and some
Of the evidence went to show that
Shepherd was regarded as a partner in
the firm. The case was submitted with
out argument, the jury being instructed
that if they believed partnership
existed between c. Il. Strouse AID
James +. Shepherd they should find
him mot guilty" which they did after
being out about twenty minutes.