Bridgeton pioneer., 1893-05-11
CUMBERLAND COURTS.
THE EINDICTMENTS FOUND BY
The GRAND JURY.
paxtOn Gets - Verdict Against
the Cumberland Glass
Works.
WEDNESDAY, AFTERNOON.


Soon after Court met In the after
noon session Judge Hoagland heard,
on habeas corpas proceedings, In one
OF the jury rooms, the case Of Samuel
Patten. who had been committed to
Jail by Mayor Dubois 10 default of
payment of fine of $25 for disorderly
conduct, In connection with the dis
turbances In front of the merry go.
round on Saturday night. He had
been committed for 80 days.
Patten was represented by ]. l..
VanSyckel
Mr.. VanSyckel presented Patton's
petition for discharge from Jail on the
ground of defects In the transcript of
the proceedings of the Mayors Court,
which failed to show that a conviction
had been had.
The Judge decided that this defect
was fatal, and signed an order for Pat
toms discharge from jail.
Patten Is still held in jail, however,
awaiting the action of the Grand Jury,
on charge of obstructing an officer.
When Court adjourned this after
noon the Paxton suit for damages
against the Cumberland Glass Co.,
had ended SO far as the evidence was
concerned, both sides having rested.
At the time of closing the morning
report for the PIONEER Paxton was
upon the stand and had just been
handed over to the defense for cross-
examination.
Col. Potter's cross-examination of
Paxton was very thorough and ex-
haustive. He brought out the fact
that at the time of the accident Pax
ton was not in the employ of the
Cumberland Glass Co., but worked
for Cox & Sons, from whom he always
drew his pay.
Drs. Jacob Streets and Harris were
called and testified to the injuries of
Mr.. Paxten, they having attended
him.
John r. Somers, said at the time of
the accident he was employed at the
Cumberland Glass Co., and went after
Paxton at the request of night en-
gineer Henry Earl.
The engineer Earl was called, and
said that on the night of the accident
the oil used in the factory, would not
run, and he sent for Mr.. Paxton to
make an investigation. He had been
told to send for Paxton when he was
wanted, by his brother, John Earl,
the day engineer.
John Earl, the day engineer at the
time of the accident, testified that he
had received his orders principally
from Messrs. Shoemaker and Bassett.
He said that he had instructed his
brother, the night engineer, to send
for aid when it was necessary.
David Crawford, formerly machin-
ist In the employ of Cox s. Sons, festi-
fed that he had worked at the trade
for twenty-one years. He declared
that crude petroleum generated gas,
and If confined would explode. If
such gas was brought into contact
with fire, it would explode.
With a general description of the
surroundings at the Glass Works,
Chester Pierce proved to be the last
witness for the plaintiff, and Judge
Westcott rested his case.
Col. Potter Immediately made mo-
tion for non-suit, claiming in a lengthy
argument that the corporation had no
knowledge of Paxton being upon the
grounds of the company, and was
there without any orders from the de-
fendents. He claimed again that Pax
ton contributed negligence and by his
wn indiscretion caused the accident.
The Court said that he would not
grant non-suit, inasmuch as the
night engineer had testified that Mr..
Bassett had told him when trouble oc-
CURED to send for help. Again he was
not clear that the plaintiff had con-
tributed negligence.
Col. Potter then briefly opened the
case for the defense, and called for @.
w. Shoemaker as the first witness.
Mr.. Shoemaker said that he was
Treasurer and Director of the Cum
oerland Glass Go. Mr.. Bassett and him
self, at that time, were managing d.
rectors of the company. At the time
of the accident, Henry T. Earl was
night engineer.
He never knew until after the acci-
lent that Earl had sent for Paxton,
nor did he ever give him any orders
20 send for any one. Elaborate draw
ngs were produced showing general
description of the works and especially
hat part of It referring to the position
of what Is known as the tank house
md oil plant, and Mr.. Shoemaker
made an elaborate and very lucid ex-
of the plant.