The Philipsburg mail., 1899-02-24
HAD BOTH OF HIS EARS SLIT
THOMAS JAMES CLAIMS THAT MI.
CHRISTIE DID TIE JOB.
The Case Was Tried Before Judge Julian
at Granite Last Tuesday and the
Defendant Acquitted.

a case OF considerable Importance
was tried before Judge J. u. Julian
justice Of the peace at Granite, last
Friday, Emile Christie, proprietor OF
the Metropolitan hotel, was charged
with assault, said to have been com
mitted upon Thomas James, the com
planning witness, some time last Sat
urday night. According to the eyi
dence, James DIETER known as Tom
Jones) had been a boarder at Mr..
Christe's hotel for over a month, and
in place of paying for his board and
lodging on the last pay day, he spent
his money for luxuries. At the same
time Mr.. Christie had been missing VA
rlous articles from his refrigerator
from time to time-such as hams, but
ter, ETC., and he concluded to watch
for the thief and put Il stop to his
game.
Last Saturday night he concealed
himself in convenient place, and he
claims he was rewarded by catching
the thief, Mr. Thomas Jones, his own
star boarder, in the act of carving off
tub OF butter Mr.. Christie permit
ted him to depart unmolested, but fol-
lowed closely to see what disposition
would re made of the butter. James
was not aware that he had been trap.
ped, and carried his booty to Laven-
der's restaurant, where he disposed of
1t Tor a quarter and something to eat.
Mr.. Christie allowed him to finish his
meal, and then in company with sew
eral witnesses he asked Jones to ac-
company him to the hotel office, which
he did. There James admitted having
stolen various articles, disposing Of
them to the restaurant in the manner
he had done with the butter. Mr..
Christie was very much provoked at
the creature who had beaten him out
OF his board and room bill, and then
stole besides, and he proceeded to get
at least partial satisfaction out of his
carcass. During the melee that fol-
lowed James was pretty roughly han.
died.
Mr.. Christie wears rings on both
hands and in boxing James ears he
inflicted some cuts that bore resem.
blance to having been made with a
knife; but witnesses present during
The performance positively state that
~ hh'A0 was uSeu. AIter throwing |
James out of doors, Mr.. Christie went
20. the restaurant where his goods had
oeen sold. and after a consultation
With the proprietor he effected set
lement by accepting a $40 bill and
Ealing the matter square.
This was supposed to have settled
he trouble as far as Mr.. Christie was
but on Monday Mr.. Thomas
lanes concluded to have Mr.. Christie
rrested, and accordingly swore to a
omplaint before Judge J. U. Julian.
lleging that Mr.. Christie had slit his
ars with knife. The testimony de-
eloped tho fact that James could not
ay whether a razor, butcher knife,
L cross.cut saw, bad been employed
y Mr. Christie in ear-marking him.
'xpert testimony by physician
roved that the injury to James ears
ad not been inflicted with knife.
III Tuesday afternoon and evening
'as taken up by the proceedings, ,
ounty Attorney Josiah Shull repre-
'nting the state. and Attorney G. w. {
uppiger defending Mr.. Christie.
After the conclusion of the case
udge Julian announced that he would
'serve his decision until next day. s
he verdict announced Wednesday af- c
rnoon found Mr.. Christie not guilty !
J, charged, and he was accordingly
,leaSpd .