The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-10-09

Criminal court opened yesterday
morning with Judge Edwards on the
bench in the main court room and
Judge Gunster in No. 2. Before Judge
Edwards the first case called for trial
was the common wealth against George
Smith and Fred Cotton, charged with
having burglarized Of Frank H Con-
nell Of Bank street in this city on the
night Of Aug. 90 1t was shown by the
prosecution that Officer Goerliz, who
was on duty at the Court House
square, on the night of Aug. 20. posi-
lively identified Smith as one Of two
men he saw going towards Bank
street on that night.
On Aug. % Smith and Cotton were
arrested at Binghamton where Smith
had left a satchsl in hotel which con-
tanned clothes and silverware that had
been stolen from the Connell residence.
STORIES OF THE DEFENDANTS.
Smith admitted having been In this
city on Aug. 20 and said he went to
Binghamton where on Aug. % he met
three men walking on the railroad.
One Of them had satchel with him
which he offered to sell Smith He
said it contained clothes and silver
ware which had been bequeathed to
him by his mother who died short
time before. Smith agreed to try and
sell the contents of the satchel for the
stranger.
In the meantime he met Cotton.
rx,t ha ha1 nd
they took the satchel to pawnshop,
which they found closed. Not desir-
ing to carry the satehel around with
them, they left it at an adjoining ho-
tel. Cotton declared that he had never
been In Scranton prior to being
brought here as a prisoner after his
arrest in Binghamton. Both men dis
claimed all knowledge of the burglary.
Attorney P. W. Stokes made strong
effort to convince the jury that the
men were guilIless, while District At
torney Kelly argued that they were
the men who committed the burglary.
At o'clock the jury retired TO make
up it's verdict 1t did not agree while
court was in session.
IlffLlNt HOUoE CASE,
Constable Richard Barrow was the
prosecutor In case against John M.
Burke Of Dickson City, who wac
charged with keeping tippling house.
II was tried before Judge Edwards
Burke is an old man and cripple, who
finds 1t difficult to move about. even
with crutches. His condition evident
ly excited much pity from the jurors.
1t is somewhat remarkable fact
that 1t is very rarely that any consta.
BILE returns person for violating the
liquor laws who is not in some way
physically infirme1. Those who have
the full use of their powers have nc
difficulty. apparently, in hoodwinking
the argus-eyed constables Of the
county. The cripples who are re-
turned usually escape through the pity
which the jurors feel for their in
frmities.
1t was shown by the testimony OF
number of witnesses that beer and
whisksy was purchased at Burke's
place. Attorney Joseph O'Brien, who
represented the defendant, offered no
evidence on tho part of his client and
the case went 10 the jury without ar
gumept on the charge of the court.
SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST ROBINSON.
Robert Robinson, Of Dunmore, Q
young man, 90 years of age, was
put on trial before Judge Gunster,
charged with wronging Miss Mar ths
| Hoover. under promise OF marriage,
and, also. with statutory assault, the
young woman being under 16 years OF
age at the time of the offense, in 1892
The commonwealth was compelled
to elect which charge 1t would 60 to
the jury on and selected the last num-
ber Miss Hoover and her child were
present in court. The young woman
went on the stand and testified to hel
relations with Robinson at Dunmort
and Avocs. to which place she moved
from Dunmore.
Robinson admitted that he had been
intimate with Miss Hoover, but said
that she told him she was 18 years oi
age. He never promised to marry her
he said. At 4;30 the case went to the
jury Colonel Martin, of Wilkes-Barre,
conducted the prosecution and ex-Judge
Ward the defense.
EAT BREAD made from Pillsbury's Best
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