The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-12-27
HE WAS A lone FISHERMAN
Constable Moran and Superintendent
NcMnllen Arrested Him.
Mr.. THOMPSON is AFTER THEN
hnd Them Arraigned In Court for Assault
and Battery - Verdict OF Not Guilty
Returned-Joseph Holtham's Fond.
ness for Wives.

Court, after it's Christmas vacation,
opened again yesterday morning, Judge
Purdy presiding in the main court room
and Judge Sittser in No. 2. The first
case called was that of John S. Thomp-
son against Constable Michael Moran,
of Carbondale,' and William s. McMul-
len, superintendent of the Delaware
and Hudson Railroad company At
torneys E. C. Newcomb, of this city,
and John +. Reynolds, of Carbondale,
represented the prosecutor and Attor-
ney II. C. Butler, of Carbondale, the
defendants, who were under indictment
charged with assault and battery.
On June 20 last Thompson, who is a
prominent contractor, went from his
home in Carbondale and began to fish
at No. dams, owned by the Crystal
Lake Water company. Mr.. McMullen,
is also superintedent of the water COM
pany. Thompson alleges that he was
at the dam fishing only a few minutes
when the two defendants came along,
and Constable Moran said to him that
he was violating the law by fishing
without permission, as the posted no.
tices erected on the banks of the dam
in conspicuous places expressly forbade
it. Mr.. Thompson answered that he
did not know the rules, whereupon Con-
stable Moran placed him under arrest.
The prosecutor wanted to know where
the warrant was and he was told that
no warrant was needed, that he could
be arrested without one by coal and
iron police, to which both defendants
represented they belonged.
Held Mr.. Thompson.
The constable caught hold of Mr.
Thompson by the arm and forcibly pre-
vented him from fishing any further
Superintedent McMullen went for q
carriage to Carbondale and in the
meantime Constable Moran detained
him in custody. When the former re.
turned with the carriage he had with
him warrant issued by an alderman
of Carbondale, where the prosecutor
| later appeared and entered bail for hi.
| appearance at court. The defendant!
on the stand yesterday claimed tha
| they had perfect right to arrest Mr.
| Thompson, as he was violating the law
and in making the arrest they asserted
| that no more force was used beyond
what was absolutely necessary. TIL,
| jury returned verdict of not guilt!
| and placed the costs on the defendants
| A peculiar case was the next one be
fore Judge Purdy. Joseph Holthan
was charged with perjury by Mrs. Ida
Fisher. The commonwealth was as
sisted by Attorney H. L. Taylor in tn
prosecution and Attorney c. H. Sope
represented the defendant. Holthan
is vicious rascal, if the stories told o
him are true. Mrs. Fisher was married
to him in June, 1890, by Alderman
Wright at the court house and she live,
with him three years, when it develope
that he had another wife living. Tn
charge of perjury against him wa
brought on the ground that he took
false oath when he was obtaining hi
marriage license and made answer t
the questions put by the clerk, amon
which was one regarding the deposi
ton regarding whether he had wifi
living when he was asking for permis
sion to marry another.
Venturcd Three Times.
It appears that Holtham was mar
ried three times and that only his frs
wife is dead. In 1888 he welded
young girl, Miss Alice Healey, age
about 20 years. She lived with him a
his home on Meylert avenue until on
child was born to them. When tn
young one was three months old, it
claimed by those who presume to know
that Holtham and his young wifi
agreed to separate, and the terms O
agreement We're that he should pay he
certain sum of money and provid
her with a passage to Ireland.
They separated and she crossed tn
water, taking her child with her. Ho
than has three children by his frs
wife, and after wife No. 2 left him,
advertised for a housekeeper, an
| among others who answered the "ad
was "a young woman calling hersel
Mrs. Ida Fisher. Holtham engaged he
and was so well suited with her as
housekeeper that he offered his han
and heart within a month after he frs
saw her. She accepted and he marie
her in June, 1890
Mrs Fisher had been married abor
three years when she became awar
that her husbands second wife was M
dead, as he represented, but alive
Ireland. Several witnesses were swor
to prove that Holtham and Miss Heale
were regarded as man and wife and or
of them testified that he had a letter
few weeks ago from Miss Healey, wri
ten in her own handwriting. The con
4 L..