The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1897-02-09
Court.
On Wednesday Judge G4skin began
the trial of criminal cases


Riverton. Blanchard H. White defend
ed the prisoner.
Defendant is Baltimore chap, and
after the robberies was captured in that
city with several of the stolen articles in
his possession. To the officers who ar
rested him Highland gave an assumed
name and an address which turned out to
be spurio us.
After two witnesses for the state had
been examined Highland decided to re-
tract his plea and plead guilty. He said
he had been unable to secure the atten-
dance of his witnesses.
William Shafer and William Test were
then called to answer to the indictment
charging them with stealing buffalo robe.
Before the jury was empaneled Shafer
pleaded guilty, and the Prosecutor aban-
doned the case against Test.
The next case called was the state VS..
Frank Cohen, for indecent assault upon
Mary Parker, girl II years of age. She
lives in Woodland township. Cohen is a
travelling peddler and sta yed at Mr.. Park
ers house on the night of the alleged as
sault.
Charles K. Chambers defended Cohen,
and showed that the reputation of the
man had been untarnished up to the
present time. A verdict of not guilty was
rendered.
On Thursday Prosecutor Budd moved
against John Murphy, William Kane
and Charles Sharp, Jr., for burning the
barn of Walter S. Bullock. at Columbus.
After the jury was empaneled, Charles
Sharp retracted his plea of not guilty and
entered plea of non vnL coatendere.
Charles K. Chambers, counsel for
Sharp, stated that he had thoroughly ex-
amined the statutes under which this in
dictment had been found and that they
were very broad, including all who aid,
abet or consent to burning. Sharp frankly
admitted that he knew that the fire was
to take place, but did not take any part
in it, hence came under the head of econ
senting." Sharp was willing to plead
non vuH and give testimony for the state.
The plea was accepted.
Mr.. Budd said that on the night in
question about o'clock in the morning
the barn of Mr.. Bullock was burned, with
its contents. On the evening previous
Kane met Sharp. The former had some
bags in his possession, but said he had not
enough. Sharp gave him some more and
also gave him some kerosene oil which
Kane poured on the bags, telling Sharp
be was going to burn Bullock out" and
if Sharp gave him away, Kane would
burn him out and kill him.
Kane and Murphy stayed at Sharp's all
night and when the fire was at its height
the three men stood by and did not lend
any aid towards quenching the flames.
Persons who examined the ruins and the
floor at Sharp's house, found unmistak.
able evidence Of the use of kerosene OIL
Walter S. Bullock, owner of the barn
described the location of his buildings and
the house occupied by Sharp. On the
morning of October %, Mr.. Bullock was
awakened by the light from the fire. The
barn was in blaze and it was impossible
to save any thing. A horse was burned
During the morning after the fire Mr.
Bullock saw the accused men near the
ruins. Sharp said "them who have got
can lose and them that have not got
can't lose." Some things picked up in the
midst of the ruins looked like burlap bags
and there were spots on the ground show
ing that kerosene oil had been used. Or
placing the pieces to his nose Mr.. Bullock
detected the odor of kerosene. The barr
was owned by Jacob E. Ridgway. AID
joining Bullock's barn were some build
ings owned by Sharp, one of which was
burned, together with new carriage.
Charles Clair, resident of Columbus
was at the fire, but did not recollect see
ing any of the defendants on the scene
Claim was employed to help clear up the
ruins. He found lot of stuff that looked
like burlap or old bags. On the spo
where the pieces were lying there were
several spots of dampness, like oil.
Charles S. Sharp, Jr.. one of the defend
ants, took the stand and promised to tel
1.-The truth and nothing but the truth sc
hope the Lord will kill me if | don't.
He knows Kane and Murphy. Kane Wis
tied Sharp on the night before the fire
He asked if Mrs. Sharp was in, and ther
entered the house. Sharp had a whole
rug and part of one which Kane asked
for. 1t was given to him, and then ht
asked for kerosene. "What are you going
to do with it ?" asked Sharp. 81 am going
to burn the hog out" said Kane. "WhC
is the hog" asked Sharp, to which Kane
replied walter Bullock" or Bullock
Sharp said that it would be a bad bust
ness. Il suppose you will give me away,
said Kane. "If Bullock asks me, viii
tell the truth" answered Sharp, and Their
Kane threatened to kill him and burr
him out if he told. Kane said he had 6
grudge against Bullock, and he didn't care
if he burned out lot of others, as Their
there would be plenty of fwork. Kane
took the rugs and some pieces of burlaT
be had under his coat and poured oil Oh
them. AS he started to leave the house
he said II guess won't do it"
Murphy came in the house later and
went to bed. During the night SHARP
was awakened by bright light. He
aroused Murphy and the two went to the
fire as quickly as they could gel. dressed
John M. Burtis, of Cream Ridge, was al
Bullock's on the 4th of November. Mrs
Bullock called his attention to several
spots on the ground in the ruins. They
we're about the size of half bushel
Picking up some of the earth he detected
an odor of kerosene.
George Haines, of Jacksonville, visited
the scene of the fire and noticed the spots,
which looked like grease.
Ellis Parker, the detective who worked
up the case against the defendants, was
the next witness. He went to the scene
of the fire and picked up the pieces oil
burlap which were in the ruins. He also
examined the ground and detected an
odor of kerosene. Parker went to Sharp'f
and examined the house. Near the pump
box was a large spot that looked and
smelled like kerosene.
William Comp, constable at Columbus
went with Parker to Sharp's house, and