The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1899-12-13
CRIMINAL COURT.
Sheets and Weller Murder Case
viii be Presented to the Grand
Jury To day-Defendants
will Ask for Con-
tinuance.
As CASES ON THE CALENDAR.

The regular term of Quarter Sessions
aud oyer aud Terminer Court convened
at 10 o'clock Monday morning. All of
the grand jurors responded 10 their
names, when Charles King. of Middlecreek
township, was appointed foreman of that
body. As sOon as they had been sworn
the grand jurors retired 10 their room
and promptly began 70 investigate the
bills of indictment laid before them.
This morning they will hear witnesses
for the Commonwealth in the cases
against Milton Sheets and Harry Weller,
charged with the murder of Augustus
Glessner. and it is altogether probable
that they viii return true bills against
the defendants before the court rises this
evening.
When court met Monday afternoon a
party Of some fifteen foreign-born resi-
dents of Paint township presented them
selves for natursliz Ition. Upon exami
nation. nine took the oath of allegiance
aud were given papers emitting them 10
exercise the rights of citizenship. the
others being refused for the present, or
until they become more familiar with the
United States Constitution and the Eng
lish language. Judge Longenecker said
that be was not disposed to grant natnr-
alization papers to candidates for citizen
ship until after he is satisfied that they
are fit to inteiligently discharge the obli
cations they assume. Nearly all of those
naturalizsd were Austrians. The court
made an order that hereafter candidates
for naturalization will be heard at regular
sessions of argument court, as too much
time is consumed at the Quarter Sessions
in examining them.
The first jury trial was one in which
Minnie Lands, a comely young woman
of Brothersvalley township, appeared as
prosecntrix. and George L. Brant as de-
fendant The defendant seemed to
labor under the hallucination that the
plaintiff would be unable to place the
paternity of the child she carried in her
arms on him, but when the witnesses
called for the Commonwealth had given
their evidence, be suddenly changed tack
aud made no defense. After being in
structed by the Court, the jury retired
long enough to write verdict of guilty
in manner and form as indicted"
The next case called wss one in the
oyer and Terminer court 10 which Ed
ward Shannon, a well-knOwn Meyers
dale young man, appeared as defendant.
and Josephine Burket, of Stonycreek
township, as prosecntrix, the charge be-
ing rape. The prosecutrix, who declares
she is under sixteen years of age, is
densely ignorant, not knowing the sim
plest things of life. such as the months Of
the year. An old report of the Depart
ment of Agriculture, on the hy-leaf of
which the Burkets kept the family rec
ord, was offered in evidence, aud her
mother testified that SIC was born on Oc-
tober 9, 1881. Witnesses for the defense
declared that the proseeetrix was past
the statutory age. and when overwhelm-
ing proof to that effect was produced the
court instructed the jury to return YER
dict of mot guilty" The evidence was
unfit for publication.
The next case called for trial was one
in which peddler was charged by b. &
o. special officer Shepherd with carrying
concealed weapons. Verdict. not guilty,
an dproseeutor to pay the costs.
Harry Weller, one of the boys charged
with the murder of Augustus Glessner,
was brought into court Tuesday morning
and. being without the means to employ
counsel, Judge Longenecker designated
attorneys A. C. Holbert and c. W.
l. ,e a g g.f.
ton Sheets, the other defendant in the
Glessner murder case. has retained at
tOrneys +. J. KOOser and Geo. r. Scull to
look after his inte 'ests.
CASES MOL PRossED.
The District Attorney asked the per-
mission of the court to enter mol pros
in the following cases;
Commonwealth V. Jonas Miller and
A. c. Sterner, supervisors of Black town
ship.
Same '. VIM. Barkley, /. & B.
Same v Martin Phillippi, +. & B.
Same v. VIM. a. Johnston, surety.
Same Y. John Bucklow, surety.
CASES CONTINUED.
The following cases were continued
until next regular term:
Com. V. Wm. MOsholder. +. * B.
Same V. II. Mcdowell. same.
Same V. Robert Reynon, same.
Same v. Irwin Trent, same
Same v. Clarence Smith, same.
Same V. Lemon J. Mock, same.
Same '. w. II. Kring, desertion.