The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1892-04-07

II
Tho trial of Hiram williams on the
charge of bunkoing old man Harmon
Shrlver out OF 81, 800 on December1 1S last on
the road between Canton and Massillon,
was commenced this morning In Massil-
Ion before Mayor Reed. The case Is ex.
citing great deal Of interest In Massillon
as well as in all parts Of Stark county.
Readers Of the News DEMOCRAT are
familiar with the case. On the date men
toned, two men met old Shriver at his
home in Massillon. They talked about
buying his farm and finally o man ap.
peared who produced three little cards.
Shriver was induced to visit the
Massillon banks, but could not get
the sum desired. He was given
certificates of deposit and with
one Of the sharpers drove to Canton. At
the bank OF George d. Harter the money
$500, was secured after some difficulty.
The parties started to return to Massillon
and on the road the man with the little
cards was met. The game was played
and old nan Shriyer won. The money
was placed 10 n'box and the sharpers
started towards Canton. SERVER on foot
started for Massillon. He had tin box
which he supposed contained $4,000.
When Schriver arrived home he invited
some Of his friends to see
him open the box and see
the large amount he had won. When the
box was opened some old newspapers, a
jumping jack and few small articles
were found. The old man then came to
the conclusion that he had been fieeced
and the case was put In the hands of the
police. AS result of the investigation
Hiram Williams was. later arrested in
Canton. The defense will attempt to
prove an alibi and claim Williams had
nothing to do with the case.
The trial commenced this morning by a
statement of TIM case by Attorney Otto E.
Young. He said the proof would show
that on December 18 Williams came to
Schriver's house and stated he wanted to
buy his property. In company with
Schriver, Williams looked over the prem
ises. A third man was met who said he
was from Tennessee. He stated that he
had S72, coo in a satchel. The stranger
produced three cards and Will
liams won SIS. Schriver played
for fun and won. 1t was then proposed
that Shriever should get $500 and Will
liams 81, 800 in order to show they could
have paid that amount had they lost
Shriver then went to MassiIlon and got
certificates of deposit for the sum of s5,-
500. In company with Williams he drove
to Canton and got the certificates cashed.
With the money they started for Massil-
Ion and on the road met the third man.
The $500 OF Shrivsr and the s4,5O0
OF Williams was put In a box,
which was placed in the bottom of the
buggy. Later a box was given to Shriver
which was supposed to contain the money.
II was found it did not contain any money.
Mr.. Young stated they expected to prove
that Williams was an ex-penitentiary
convict, and just the kind OF man who
would do the job.
Mr.. Wilson said they expected to show
that on December 16 Williams was in
Fostoris, and on the 18th consulted with
an attorney regarding certain claims that
were pressing him. On December 1s Will
liams went to Tifflu with his wife, arriving
there about $3.50 o'clock in the morning.
He went to the bank, which had mot
opened, and then went to dry
goods store across the street, waiting
for the bank to open. Later he got a
draft for S2,500 cashed and returned 70
Fostoria arriving there shortly after 10
o'clock. He remained there ell day and
| during the evening. Mr.. Willison closed
by saying he expected to prove that
it woula have been impossible for viii.
liams to be in Canton at the time claimed.
HARMON sHRIvER, ID.
The old man who lost his money was the
| first witness called. He was examined by
Mr.. Young aud told his story as follows
/ am 78 years of age and have lived here
SO yearn. live in Erie street about a
mile from here. / own AZ acres OF land
there. In the morning between 0 and 10
O'clock on December IS last, on Main
streea, Mr.. Williams drove up and called
me up to his buggy. He asked me if
know ofany property for sale. II struck
me had property for sale, and he wanted
to Gee the property. We drove up to the
house In his buggy. l wanted to
take mine but ne would not
let me. He said he would use his buggy
When we got there we drove over the
land. He liked the premises we'll enough
and when we got up to the house he asked
me the price of the land. Williams
hitcbed tho horse when we got to the
house. My wife was about fifteen feet
from US. We went In the orchard an6
then into the house. We went through
all the rooms and / made Mr.. Williams
acquainted with my wife. He said hii
name was Coleman or German. On Mair
street he said his name was German anC
that he was related to Banker Shriver. II,
talked to my wife scme. My wifi,
said did not ask enough for the propert,
and Williams said he wanted to buy low