The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-03

John Schonk, of South Scranton, was
tried before Judge r. w. Archibald yes
terday on the charge of furnishing a
false statement to a newspaper report
cr.
Schonk is the first person tried in
this county for such an offense. The
indictment was drawn under an act
passed by the legislature in 1895, the
intention of which was to protect news
papers from persons who deliberately
furnish false information.
The prosecutor in yesterdays case
was ". J. Shlffer of Franklin avenue
He took exception to an article printed
In a Sunday paper which reflected upon
his integrity, and. learning that the in
formation was furnished by SChonk,
he had him arrested. John +. MCDon-
ough, the reporter to whom the ac-
cused gave the story, was sworn and
said he met Schonk or Cedar avenue
and he told him a number of alleged
facts about Shiffer, on the strength Of
which the troublesome article was
based
McDonOugh could not say that
Schonk was talking "for publication"
a the time. He did not serve notice
upon him that the interview was to
be printed. That took the element ne
cessary for conviction out of the case
and verdict Of not guilty was return
cd. The county will pay the costs.
NOT GUILTY.
Edward Constine, a boy, was arraign-
ed before Judge Archibald on a charge
of malicious mischief 1t was shown
that a number OF boys were playing
III front of the store Of William Tobin
and one Of them was pushed through
the window, breaking it. As the break
ing was accidental verdict of not
guilty was returned, and TObin, the pros
ccutor, will pay the costs.
Leon Beckin, OF North Scranton, was
tried and acquitted of carrying con-
cealed weapons. John Smith, the pros
ecutor, will pay the costs.
George a. Summers was tried for cut
ting trees on the land of Y. NJ Lynch
at Tobyhanna. The suit is the out
growth of a dispute over the owner
ship Of certain tract of land. when
court adjourned the jury was out de-
hberating upon the case. 1t was tried
before eleven jurors. 4 juror not call
ed got in the box when the case be-
gan and it was not discovered until
the case was more than half tried
Before Judge Gunster in court room
No. 3 Thomas Fidler. a North Scran-
ton hotelkeeper. was tried for tamper-
ing with a meter of the Suburban Elec-
trio Light company which was in his
hotel. The charge was not sustained
and a verdict Of not guilty was taken
and the costs equally divided.
George Rivenburg. of Greenfield
township. was acquitted of a charge
of assault and battery because he is
insane. The county will pay the costs.
Isivenburg was convicted at the last
term. but sentence was suspended be-
cause of his condition.
PINKO TRIED.
John Pinko. who was formerly in the
meat business on Railroad avenue, was
tried for kicking Willie Richards, a
year-old boy in the beast Pinko
denied any knowledge of kicking the
boy. He said a number of persons
We're endeavoring to loot his place and
he tried to protect his goods from them.
The jury was out at adjourning hour.
John c. Peck did not come forward
TO prosecute Patrick Flanelly for SELL
ing liquor without a license and a ca
pias was issued for him. The same
action was taken in the case Of Alice
Brandt. charged with selling liquor
without liopncn 1pascsn