The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-09-23
THE JURY
STIAL OUT.
No Verdict Has Been Reached in the
O'Neill Libel Case.
THE WINDING UP OF THE TRIAL.
Much Contradictory Evidence Put in at the
Close-oNeill swore on the Stand That
Ferguson Tried to Buy a Settle
ment--The Latter Made
a Positive Denial.
speelal to EVENING HnnAnp.

FublblNe DENIAL.
Special to EVENING HERALD.
PoTTsvILLE, Sept. 23-The case of the
Commonwealth against j. Jerome O'Neill. of
Lost Creek, on a charge of libel made by P.
]. Ferguson, one of the School Directors of
West Mahanoy township, was given to the
jury at ten o'clock this morning Court was
opened shortly after nine o'clock and Judge
Savidge Immediately proceeded to charse
the jury. The charge was briet and very
fair to all concerned in the clse
At four o'clock this afternoon the jury was
still deliberating over the case
Thomas Crane, the School Director wi o
was on the stand for the defense yesterday
afternoon, caused no little amusement in the
court room when under crOss-examination by
Mr.. Marr. He was handed the minute book
of the township and told to point ont whore
orders were passed for the 81 1000 in extras
on the Colorado school building, of which he
claimed to make mental calculations at the
meetings of the Board. II don't take any
stock in their minute book" he said 81
heard the extras read of as they came in.
don't know whether orders were passed for
them"
Miss Sabina Flannery, a school teacher,
testified that she endorsed institute orders
and gave them to Mr.. Gallagher and Miss
Maley. She had no arrangement about the
matter. Her understanding was that the
proceeds were to go to the campaign She
gave up the orders because others had done
so, and not to gain favor with the School
Directors.
Michael Deane, of Connors patch was
called, but his evidence was brief and of no
importance, as he seemed to know nothing
in connection with the affairs touched upon
in the suit other than that his daughter
teaches school in the township and his
daughter, Miss Rose peane, followed him ON
the stand. She has been teaching nine years.
Endorsed and gave up 4 or of her institute
orders. Michael Brennan, principal of her
school, told her that she could do 30 If she
wished She endorsed and gave up the
orders willingly. Mr. Brennan said the
proceeds were to be used for the campaign
fund. She never gave a school director, or
his family, any money or vaulehle, except
once she made present to lady of piece
of fancy work which cost Miss Deane but 12
cents.
p. J. Ferguson was recalled to the stand by
Mr. Whalen and admitted that he received a
portion of an order issued December s. 1896.
for $50 aud issued to the school directors for
attending county institute
Was there an order drawn, to your knowl-
edge, for that amOunt9
Yes, sir.
What portion did you receiver
One-sixth-fiye dollars,
Who endorsed the order2
Each director endorsed it.
Where was it endorsed?
In the meeting room.
Was it drawn at the next meeting after
the county ipstitute9
[ don't know whether It was after, or be-
fore.
Does that occur every year,
So far as l know it does, but not for that
amount every year.
Did you attend the county instituteP
Yes, sir.
On what day2
Wednesday.
On cross-examination by Mr.. Marr witness
said the $50 was drawn for expenses in at
tending institute They did it all over. Mr..
E. @. Wagner, of the Girard Estate, told him
that they did it in Girardville. They attend
on Directors Day. Mr. Coyle got his when
he was a director and Crane got his They
all took it.
On examination by Mr.. Whalen, Mr.. Fer
guson said he knew water closet, shed and
other work was included in the Colorado
school house work, but he did not know the
amount of the extras.
School Director McLain was again called to
the stand by Mr.. Whalen and said he received
his part of the $50 order issued to the direc-
tors for attending county institute last year.
Director Dixon received his share He did
not endorse the order because he died before
he could.
Then he received his pay before it was en-
dOrsed
Yes, sir. At the time they received the
money the order was not drawn for the
amount. and he received his share as well as
somebody else. As treasurer ] submitted my
accounts to the auditors, and the report was
adopted.
Mr.. Whalen; Didn't you know it was IL
legal to accept pay for attending county
institute2
No, sir.
THE DEFENDANT TESTIFIEs,
j. Jerome O'Reill the defendant, was next
called to the stand and Mr. Whalen opened
the examination.
| How old are you2
will be 21 on the 1st of April, next.
| What is your husiness2
Manager for the p & r. and Pottsville
Telegraph Co. and time keeper for the Le-