The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-12
DOCTOR WAS SUSPECTED.

Baker suspected that one of the men
was DR.. Beck because of his unusual
size and the fact that DR.. Beck had
grievance against him, he having been
a witness against the doctor in case
where Miss Walton's stepfather, Will
lam Doyle. charged the physician with
trying to ALLEVIATE his Wife's affections.
Detective Michael Moran. of Carbon
dale was put on the case and succeed
ed in ferreting out the, identity of all
three of the perpetrators.
They do not deny that they are the
old mans chastisers, but their story
is altogether different from that told
by the prosecution. They propose to
show that old man Baker had for a
long time been acting towards Miss
Walton as an old uncle should not act
towards a young and unsophisticated
niece; that she finally told her mother
of the uncle's solicitations, and that
trap was set to catch him and teach
him lesson that he would remember.
On the day before the occurrence in
question, it is alleged, Baker asked his
niece to meet him behind the church.
She promised to go and then went
home and arranged to have her 49,
year-old brother, Otis, follow her and
whip the uncle. When the time came
George Thorp was visiting at the house
and agreed to go along with the aveng
ing brother. On the way they met
DR.. Beck, who was driving home after
seeing a patient, and he also agreed
to accompany them. They secreted
themselves near the appointed meeting
place and when the girl gave an
alarm they rushed out and captured
old Baker. Young Walton gave him
good threshing and then sent him with
his hands tied and a placard on his
back relating his particular sin and
warning others to beware of initiating
him. They deny that they wore masks
or fired reVolyers.
NINE CHARGES AGAINST THEM.
Nine charges in all are made against
the defendants, each being accused of
assault and battery, pointing firearms
and carrying concealed weapons. Mr..
Ross and Mr.. Vidayer are representing
the defense. District Attorney Jones
appears alone for the commonwealth.
The strap, the card, Walton's hat and
revolver and the can of tar and other
articles which figure in the case We're
exhibited by the commonwealth.
Baker was in the midst of his graphic
recital of the assault at $50 o'clock
when it was found necessary to ad-
journ court because of the noise made
by carpenters working Immediately
above the court room. Judge Gunster
sent word to the workmen that they
would not be allowed to disturb the
proceedings tomorrow, and advised
them to get through with their work
before o'clock in the morning, even if
they had to WORK all night.
Mamie Smith was tried on the
charges of selling liquor without IL
cense and keeping a bawdy house.
County Detective Thomas Leyshon
was the prosecutor. The prosecutor
and Constable Timothy Jones told of
securing evidence against the place,
and Patrolmen r. W. Jones and Iona
Day described their part in the raid
that was made on the Smith place on
Franklin avenue Sept, 30, 1896. The de-
ferse was an effort to show the beer
and whisky was secured from neigh
boring hotel and that English Annie"
ard not the Smith woman was proprie-
tress of the place. The jury returned