Bridgeton pioneer., 1892-01-21
CUMBERLAND COURTS
THE WAGES OF SIN BEING
DEALT OUT.
Offenders Being Brought TO Jus
Gice for Their M1sdOings.

Offenders Being Brought TO JUS
GIce for Their M1sdOings.
The business OF the afternoon began
with a case of lesser import, and the
details furnished a little relaxation
from the severe strain imposed by the
trial of the school burning case It was
the case of the State against Martin
Edwards, Jr, of Vineland, charged
with assault and battery. Edwards
was not represented by counsel, and
Hon. T. W. ,Trenchard was appointed
by the Court to look after the interest
of the young man. -
The story upon the part of the State
was shoft and very much to the point
Charles R. Thomas, a vineland colored
gentleman, furnished the details for
the jury's consideration.
The little affray occurred the day
after election, on Lands avenue In
Vineland Thomas was innocently
walking down the street accompanied
by white gentleman. Meeting Ed
wards, who was standing near, Thomas
was accosted with fighting word
from Edwards. He paid no attention
to the word, however, but picked up
Edwards dog. This seemed to anger
Edwards--wonderfully whe gave him a
kick. Thomas demanded to know
why Edwards had kicked him, and
his answer was a cracking blow in the
mouth which shattered the colored
mans teeth.
Wheaton Beraulr, the lawyer, said
he was an eye witness to the entire
affair, which he depicted as a very dis
graceful episode. The assault was en-
tirely unprovoked, and Edwards was
wholly to blame.
Charles Briant fully substantiated
the story told by preceding witnesses.
Frank Nichols, the well known col
ored gentleman, who in good Republi-
publican times, was door keeper of the
Senate Chamber at Trenton, was
called and he graphically depicted the
events of the memorable day. Every
thing he said was very much against
Edwards.
Matters appeared very shady for
Edwards when he was given chance
to explain, and Martie, as he is fa-
miliarly known, told his story. If his
story is true, the entire difficulty
happened over little dog which he
thought good deal of. Edwards said
that he was on the street with the dog,
when Thomas picked it up by the left
ear. In fun Edwards kicked Thomas,
and this angered him. Blows followed.
Thomas was wild with rage and fol-
lowed Edwards all the way to his
home and there Thomas cursed Ed
wards and his wife, the neighbors
coming out, and then more blows fol-
lowed. Thomas kicked Edwards and
injured him severely.
Miles Nichols gave Edwards some
assistance by telling q story about the
same color Of the tale told by the de-
fendant.
A little fellow by the name of Ro-
selle gave very clear story Of the en-
tire state Of facts, bat whether 1t was
Of advantage to the state or the de.
Tense, the jury alone can determine.
The case was submitted to the jury
without further argument.
Little Matte Barnard, q colored girl,
was next given q chance to extrieate
herself from the trouble the Grand
Jury had placed her In. She was
charged with stealing from Rhoda
Summers the sum of ga, and the man
ner in which 1t was accomplished was
told by Mrs. Summers. This estim-
able lady is boarding house mistress,
Of Millville. She is positive woman,
and able to talk living streak. She
told all the Prosecutor wanted to
know and much more than Mr.. Van
Syckel, the defendants counsel,
thought was advisable, but the Cour-
and counsel could not possibly stop
her and she told her tale In her own
way.
Matte, it seems, came to this board
ing house as domestic, and last o.
tober was employed there. One morn
ing Mrs. Summers brought down
stairs pocket book containing about
$24 and put it In the dish cupboard of
the dining room. Matte had seen
this. Sometime afterward Mrs sum:
rners discovered that her pocket book
war go = Maaie acted very suspic.
ious, AID she was- accused OF taking
It. After so,D-' little time, Matte
owned to stealing IT. bat would not
tell where she had placed 1t. An the
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