The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-10-04

10 nave Deen committed was sister |
in law of the defendant (he being
married to her sister, and was under
the age of sixteen years and hence
presumed by the law as being unable |
to give her consent unless it should |
be proven that she was Of an immoral |
character. In order to establish this |
and get clear of the charge of rape an
affidavit was read, which was signed |
by the girl stating that she was Of such |
an immoral and lewd character as was
contemplated by the Act of Assembly
A Jury was called and the evidence
of such nature that we refrain from
publishing it. 1t is sufficient to state
that the girl admitted under oath that
she had committed crimes of a similar
character prior to the time this crime
was alleged to have been committed.
She testified that child was born to
her on the I8 of March 1895, of which
the defendant was the father. The
counsel for the defendant wanted the
charge of fornication and bastardy
withdrawn and the defendant to be
tried on the charge of rape alone. To
this objections were p1ade by the
Commonwealth they insisting that the
case should 60 to the Jury as it was
and they could acquit of the charge
of rape and convict of fornication and
bastardy. The Court took the same
views of it and in his charge to the
Jury that they could find in that way.
The Jury in short time returned a
verdict acquitting him OF the charge Of
rape and finding him guilty of fornica-
ton and bastardy. The sentence of the
Court was that he pay fine of SIS.
Pay to Moses Strausser, father of the
girl, S25 lying in expenses and $25
for the maintenance of the child to
this time and $I.oo per week until it
shall arrive at the age of seven years,
said sum to be paid Moses Strausser
until Anna shall arrive at age, then to
her. Give bail &c. Mol Pros allowed
on charge of adultery.
d. w. Mears appointed testamen.
tary guardian of Martha A. Mears.
Bond in $500.
Ash Bros. VS.. Berwick Water Com
pany continued over the term because
it was Improperly on the trial list.
w. E. Davis appointed tax collector
for the borough of Centralia.
Commonwealth VS.. Peter Fetterman.
This was surety of the peace case
and the parties reside in Catawissa
township. A great deal of dirty linen
had already been washed in this term
OF Court, and this case was no excep-
ton to the rule. Their domestic
troubles were given an airing, much
to the amusement of the audience.
This couple it appeared had been
married 90 years and had eleven child
rem, and the rest of the story was a
tale of woe. She alleging that Peter
misused her, drove her from the house,
struck her &C., and he contending that
he only did so when his patience be-
came exhausted by her continual fault
finding. 1t also appeared that this
was not the first time Peter had been
called upon to feel the effects of the
law. That there had been repeated
arrests and as many reconciliations.
After hearing lot of this kind Of tes-
timony, the Court called them before
him, gave them some good advice and
sentenced each to pay half the costs.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
Commonwealth VS.. Henry Umber-
wurst, assault and battery. Case set
, tied and nolle prosequi to be entered
upon payment of costs.
, Commonwealth VS.. Lawrence Gaugh,
an. Charge, breaking and entering in
, the night time, and larceny of five
kegs of beer. Upon being arragined
, he plead guilty.
8 In the estate of Richard Thompson,
r auditors report confirmed nisi.
: Commonwealth VS.. Sldler, continu-
r ed until Thursday morning.
e Dominick Daley excused as juror
| Commonwealth VS.. w. P. Helter
assault and battery. Not true bill
r prosecutor to pay the costs.
e Commonwealth VS.. James Daley ct
y al. Larceny, true bill.
Z Commonwealth VS.. Philip Sidler
/. Assault and battery, true bill.
{ The rest Of the afternoon was spent
in trying the case of the Common
). wealth VS.. Joseph Harringan, Jane:
: Daley and w. H. Varnish, charged
v with larceny and the receiving of the
|. kegs of beer mentioned in the case o
/. Gaughan. The defendants had ne
e counsel nor means to employ any
k hence the Court appointed attorneys
II Harman, Flynn and Frank Ikeler tc
defend them.
C 1t appeared from the evidence tina
l. one Kelley had beer vault in Cen
tralia which was broken open and five
z. kegs stolen, That he found thes
e men in the woods near Centralia witt
| tI,o I.or l,,1 Trh