The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-12-10
BOTH WERE FOUND GUILTY
ONE GETS THIRTY DAYS IN JAIL
AND is FINED $500.
INDICTMENT ON TIE OTHER SUSPENDED
Iohn Meeder the Warren County Postmaster
Who Used His Office For Fraudulent
Purposes Sent to the en-.

Federal court yesterday, and for time
the hard featured and hard-hearted
noomshaners felt lump rising IN their
Nhroats and something tugglng at thelr
heart strings.
glBut it was soon over, and the m1sts
cleared away from the eyes that have
become so keen from looking down gun
barrels and watching through the long
night until the gray dawn.
1t does not take long to try moon
sinner, against whom there was as dead
spen and shut a case as was that
against Mrs. Martha e. Dalrymple, OF
Moore county. And it takes much less
zine for the judge to say, Thirty days
and 500 fine. Call the next case. Mr..
CLERK"
Mrs. Dalrymple is the second female
uoonshenr that nas been before the
court this term. The first one was
Mrs. Frances Green Dillon, of Gran
ville county. In her case Judgment was
suspended on payment of the cost and
. promise to reform. Mrs. Dalrympie
was sentenced to thirty days imprison-
ment and 9AJO tine.
When she heard the verdict OF the
Jury and the judgment of the court she
hurst into tears, and it was then that
everybody in the court room--judge, jury
Hnd moonsshiners-fe SOFT places LII his
heart for the hard-featured degraded
woman WHO had been overtaken IN her
evil deeds.
But, there being no doubt of the
woman's guilt, pity cannot take the
place of Justice, and the judgment was
allowed to stand.
Another case Of more than usual in
terest yesterday was the trial and con-
viction of John A. Meeder, postmaster
at Poplar Mount, in Warren county, on
charge of violating the postal laws.
In connection with his official duties
as postmaster, Meeder conducted the
"German Supply Company swim
ding concern of the first water, and in
the interest of which he used his po-
sition to good advantage.
1t had not gone on more than three
months, though, before. the postal au
thorities discovered something was
wrong. November 25th Postoffice In
wrong. Soon November 25th Post
office Inspector Gregory spent day at
Poplar Mount, and, as a result, he
next morning brought John A. Meeder
to this city, and United States Commits
sioner John Nichols bound the post
master over to court.
The story of the mans crime is a
most interesting one, and though pub
lshed in these columns at the time Of
the preliminary trial, will bear repetl-
ton.
Commencing during July, and con-
tinuing through August, large numbers
of sealed letters were sent out from the
postoffice at Poplar Mount, addressed to
postmaster. or assistant postmaster, at
the various postoffices in the various
Southern Southwestern and Western
States of the Union. About this time
large numbers Of registered letters and
ordinary letters with stamps. money or
ders, etc, began pouring into the post
office a. Poplar Mount, addressed to the
German Supply Co.," and soon after
wards large numbers of letters of inquiry
as to the responsibility of the German
Supply Company were being received
by the postmaster at Poplar Mount. /
from various postmasters through the
South and West; to some of these, re-
plies were sent by John A. Meeder, post
master that the letters were delivered to
A. ID. Meaks, or j. w. Fleming; later
that the mail for. this company was be-
ing forwarded to Chicago and that this
concern was a fraud
FpVRlODPu
mailed at Poplar Mount contained neat
circulars. with cuts of handsome watch
es, which the company offered to the
postmasters, upon condition that they
would forward list of few patrons of
their offices. for the purpose of advertis-
ing the company's jewelry, etc, the
postmasters also being directed to en-
close with the list of the names one dol
lar to cover cost of the packing and a
small portion of the cost of these hand
some watches. With these circulars were
enclosed neat certificates, highly recon-
mending the company and signed by the
postmaster, a magistrate, railroad agent,
a preacher and a mercantile firm Of Pop
lar Mount.
Hundreds OF registered letters poured
into Poplar Mount containing dollars and
list Of names, but no watches were re-
ceived, and then complaints began pour
ing in upon the postmaster, by post
masters who had been misled by the
certificate Of recommendation, the COM
plainants only learning, to their sorrow,
that the postmaster denied all response
bility for the recommendations and that
the parties were frauds.
The jury was not out five minutes be-
fore returning verdict Of guilty. Judge
PurnelI sentenced Meeder for the maxi
mum punishment-eigh months at
hard labor in the United States peni-
tentiary, and fine of 5000.
Mr.. T. T. Hicks, of Henderson, de-
Tended Meeder, and District Attorney
Aycock prosecuted.
Other cases disposed Of yesterday
were:
Tom Gates, found guilty of retailing
without license, and sentenced to ninety
days Imprisonment and to pay fine
of 500.
s. s. Bradley, deputy marshal, charg'
ed with assault with deadly weapon
was discharged on payment Of the costs