Bridgeton pioneer., 1898-10-27

The jury promptly returned a verdict

j. Hampton Fithian, the young lawyer,
had the next job on his hands. 1t was
his duty to pilot the defense of Edward
Irons through successfully, the young
man being charged with stealing BIZ
cycle.
Irons was brought in from Jail. He
was attired in the uniform of volunteer
soldier, and had the red cross, indicating
connection with hospital corps, upon his
left arm. Irons had been arrested some
time since while he was here from Camp
Montauk on furlough.
The story of the State was that on the
18th of December last VIM. Woods lett
his bicycle in front of Blair's barber shop,
at Shiloh. Irons took the wheel, took it
to Monroeville and sold it to Eugene
MacFarland for 81. MacFarland claimed
that Irons alleged to him that he was a
Bible agent, deserted by his partner, and
was in hard luck.
Irons, in his own defense said be did
not take the wheel, and knew nothing
about it. He said he enlisted in the war
i'll January, and later he went to Santiago
unsupported in his testimony, having
no witness to assist him in establishing
his story.
Thursday Afternoon.
Edward Irons, the soldier, was twice
convicted this afternoon of crime. The
| jury in the larceny case was out some
time but came in with a verdict of steal
ing the bicycle.
The soldier was tried upon another
charge, that of obtaining goods under
false pretense.
The evidence of the State was un-con
| tradicted 1t showed that last winter
! Irons went to the store of Wentze &
! Weber, and purchased pair of pants, a
| couple of collars and cap. These goods
Irons told clerk, were for Isaac Cline,
the Jefferson street barber, who was busy,
and could not come to the store. Irons
further said that if the goods were not
| satisfactory, he would return them in
halt an hour, but if they were, he would
bring back the money. The clerk re-
ferred the matter to his employer, Mr..
Weber, who directed him to let the goods
go. Irons took the articles, and disap-
peared, never returning the goods or the
money. 1t was shown that Cline did not
send Irons after any goods.
Mr.. Fithian, representing Irons, wanted
the court to direct verdict of not guilty,
but this Judge Hoagland refused to do.
Mr.. Fithian refused to offer any testi-
mony, and the case went to the jury,
with the result as stated above.
The last case for the term was an oyster
case, an indictment having been found
against Belford Candy, Allie Solomon
and Diament Blizzard, and the defen-
dants were present with their counsel,
Samuel Iredell.
There was some difficulty in obtaining
Jury, many challenges being used by
both sides.
Mr.. Iredell asked Mr.. Logue upon
what law he relied for conviction. and
upon being informed, made motion TO
quash the indictments. The court said
this could not be done, after the jury had
been sworn, and the motion was with
drawn.
The facts contended for by the State
were that Belford K. Russell, Howard F.
Conner and Edgar M. Joslin owned a
lot of marsh down about Orouoken
Creek. In and around these marshes
had been cut artificial Waterways, or
creeks, for the purpose of draining the
meadows, and to allow basting or scow-
ing of hay from the marshes to the
Oronoken Creek. These bitches, it was
claimed, were named after the men who
had cut them
In these waterways or creeks, bitches
or whatever the streams may be called,
the owners named, had planted oysters,
and were making something of an indus
try of the business. The three defendants
were found within these private waters,
contrary to the status.
The defense indicated that the constitu-
tionality of the acts quoted by the Prose
cutor were to be questioned in the Su-
preme Court. The defense offered to the
jury was that these bitches or creeks were
public waterways, and used indiscrimi-
nately by the public generally. The
bitches, it was claimed, ran to public
landing or wharf and were used by large
vessels. The defendants urged that they
simply went over the creeks to save
time.
The three defendants were convicted of
trespass.
The conclusion of this case wound up
the proceedings for the term, with the
exception of the sentences, which will be
imposed on Tuesday next, probably.
The best way to avoid sickness is to
keep yourself healthy by taking Hoods
Sarsaparilla, the great blood purifier, rs
Acknowledged Thief.
Elmer Finch, who is now in Jail on the
charge of stealing $24 from Harry Shaw,
seems to be an acknowledged thief Be-
sides stealing the money and revolver he
told Officer Smith, who arrested him. of
stealing gold watch about year ago.