The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-03-22
FOUND GUILTY.
JURY IN COMMISSIONER MEYERS CASE
RENDER A VERDICT.
JURY WAS OUT NINETEEN HOURS.
The Defendant Found Guilty on Nine Counts
of the Two Indictments and Ac-
quilted on the Balance
Special to EvEN1NG HERALD.

Special to EVENING HERALD.
Pottsville, March 22.-The closing scenes
of the trial of Charles Meyers one of the
present board of County Commissioners was
enacted yesterday afternoon when Judge
Bechte charged the jury, and at $3.50 o'clock
they retired for deliberation.
The closing addresses by counsel attracted
a large audience, and each took advantage
of the opportunity for oIatorical display
Mr.. Wadlnger, for the Defense made an elo-
quent appeal for acquittal and spoke for
nearly two hours He was followed by John
f. Whalen, Esq, in the closing speech for
the prosecution. The speakers sarcasism
was bitter when directed against the Com
missioners, and in his opening remarks out
lined the work done by the Taxpayers Asso-
citation. He emphasized the manner in
which the county funds had been recklessy
squandered, and closed with strong appeal
for conviction.
Judge Bechte's charge was delivered in
clear and distinct manner He said it
would be improper for you as jurors to be
governed by what counsel has said on either
side in the performance of your duty. You
must continued the court be governed alone
by the law aud the testimony as heard from
the witness stand. There are twenty-five
counts for your consideration. For your con
venience have placed these counts properly
numbered on a piece of paper. Any count
not thus numbered you need not consider
The Controllers Act and all its requirements
were dwelt upon at great length In this
connection the division of contracts was
referred to SO as to make the payments under
$780, thus evading the 10th section of the
/ - II e..e.
| tionally done for this purpose is q matter for
your consideration, not for tho court.
His Honor referred to the printing of the
contest court testimony, and called to the
payment of $1.OO page, which was subse-
quently given out by bids at 81 cents per
page After defining what constitutes mis-
demsanor in Office the court instructed the
jury to give all the evidence fair and honest
consideration and do their duty as honest
men.
The jury returned verdict before Judge
Bechtel at exactly ~ o'clock, noon, to-day
and found the defendant guilty on nine
counts of the two indictments The jury
was polled by Deputy Clerk Of the Courts
John Duffy and each approved the verdict.
The verdict reads;
1--WE, the Jury in the case of the Common
wealth VS. Charles Meyers, find the defend
ant guilty as to counts Nos. 1, 5, 7, s. 10 and
10, and not guilty as to counts Nos 2, 3, 0, II
. IL, II, IS, 10, 20, 2l and % Of the indiCtmen
? of November 13, 1897; and guilty as to count
, Nos. l. 2 and 3, and not guilty as to count
, Nos. and of the indictment Of Januar.
A. 1898.
(Signed) "H. c. Chase, Foreman"
The defendant was convicted upon
Count No. l, making an illegal contrac
, with J. S. Buchanan & Co. for electric
, lighting apparatus at the almshouse, OF
which 81 ,29s was paid in violation of th
Controllers Act, requiring advertising fo
: bids. 5@ ssz:
, Count No. 5. making various contracts OF
a September 1st in violation Of the tent
section Of the Controllers Act.
1 Count No. T. payment of $3.50 to j. O
1 Ulrich on Jan. 4, 1897, for professional
f services claimed not to have been rendered
a Count No. s, payment of $500 to the sam
= party.
h Count No. 10, payment of S225 to Williar
a Wilhelm for attorney fees for services rel
r dered during the confirmation proceeding
e for Warden John p. Martin in 1892.
q Count No. 12, payment Of $500 to B. i
# Severn for attorney fees on quo warrant
proceedings, of which there is NO record i
the Prothonotary's office,
h In the second indictment the defendant
!. found guilty on counts as follows:
l. Count No. l, illegal payment of Septembt
,s 4, 1897, of 1896 81 to ID. j. McGurl for extri
On the slmshOuse bOierhouse, etc.
Count No. 2, illegal payment of $500 9i
NcGinness Smith & Co., of Pittsburg, f,
d extras on the steam heat and boiler plant.
is Count No. 8, payment in 1897 of 81, 373'
rs extras to William j. Bast for almshou
a plumbing, etc.
= ALMsHOUsE INQUIRY.
The local board of public charities held
m second session at the Schuylkill Haven aim
house yesterday to investigate the case of
- Polish woman whose residence is in Shena
= dOsh and who is now an inmate of the insai
AZ department. A number of witnesses wa
heard and adjournment made without dIiI
a date for the next meeting.
VERDICT.
The jury in the case of Trembo
Ia Keiser rendered verdict in favor of Il
Il, plaintiff for S49.9s.
DEEDS RECORDED.
: Alfred NJ. Brobst et al, to Samuel KistlC
. premises in Schuylkill county Ere
| Schlorfi, Sr., ct. ux., to Ferdinand SchloI
| premises in Barry township; John j. Salla
| ct ux., TO Mary l., Dunkleberger, premises
| Eldred township; Catharne Kline
Chrstana Kline premises in Butler tow
ship; John Toole, Sheriff, to the Fl
National Bank, premises in Schuylk
Haven Charlemagne Tower, eI., etc,
Clement E. Minich premises in Tower Cit
Henry Lorenz to Henry Nan, premises
Tower City; David Iartung ct ux.,
Amanda Weir, premises in West Pen
Kate McBreen, administrative, TO Jo
BRAKEMAN, premises in Middleport; X
McBreen to Patrick j. Mcnamara, premi
in Middleport John Toole, Sheriff, to Jo
Ii, Maurer, for lot or piece OF ground