Bridgeton pioneer., 1899-05-25
CUMBERLAND COURTS.
The wind-up of Business and the SEN
tences.


tences.
Thursday there were but two cases
presented to the Court. The twenty-five
cent gun case, which cost the county
something like hundred dollars, re.
suited in conviction of young Walter
Porch. This verdict seemed to surprise
the people about the court room, and the
jury did not come to a conclusion unit
they had deliberated some four hours.
The verdict of guilty was accompanied
by a recommendation to the Court for
mercy.
The second case was one handed to
Prosecutor Fithian by the retiring ad-
Office. Four young men were indicted
last January. ch rged with stealing big
iron chain from the Russell shipyard at
Leesburg. Tue young men were William
and Alfred Polhamus, William White
and Frank Madeira. The former no
doubt stole the chain, which was valued
at 800. William was arrested with the
others and bail was furnished him. He
did not care TO stay for trial, however,
and skipped his bond and has not been
seen in this vicinity since.
MADEIRA had previously pleaded guilty,
so that Alfred Polhamus and White were
the only ones left for trial.
W. Fl. Bacon and Samuel Iredell ap-
peared for the defense, and they pre-
sented a strong case. In fact it is doubt
full if the jury would have convicted had
here been no defense offered.
Frank MADEIRA, one of the defendants,
self-confessed thief, was the first witness
for the State, and he went on the stand to
tell of the thieving work of himself aud
his pals, the other young men who were
indicted. MADEIRA was somewhat un-
certain witness. He did not seem to
revel in his position of States witness.
He talked very low and was repeatedly
asked to speak up that the Court and jury
might hear what he had to say.
His testimony, as for as it could be
heard at the reporters table, was that
William Polhamus said he had pur-
chased chain from a boat owner, and
Alfred Polhamus, William White and
himself helped William Polhamus.get it
on the latter's boat, the Freeman" The
chain was taken to Philadelphia and
disposed of. Neither MADEIRA, Alfred
Polhamus, or William White got any
Of the money. The defence made no
cross-examination.
Benjamin Russell said be had handled
the chain at the ship yard for thirty five
years, and knew it well. At the time the
chain was stolen it was probably worth
800. although it had cost something like
S400 when it was originally purchased
for the shipyard railway. Mr.. Russell
had discovered the chain in Philadelphia
after it was stolen.
Howard Compton an executor of the
Russell estate said that the chain was
stolen in November last.
With this meagre testimony, the state
rested. Mr.. Brown Immediately asked
for the discharge of the two defendants
inasmuch as the evidence presented did
not connect these two gentlemen with the
stealing of the chain or receiving it
knowing 1t to have been stolen. Ger
tainly, said Mr.. Bacon there was not the
slightest intimation in the evidence
against Alfred Polhamus. Maderia's
testimony stood alone as the story of the
estate. 1t was to the effect that William
Polhamus was captain of the boat, the
others being employed by him by the
month. William Polhamus had told his
men he had bought chain for 81 which
he wanted tosuse in his boat as ballast.
Tho N ho1rod fo fhe 10; =.
was taken to Philadelphia.
The court refused to take the case from
the jury.
Counsel for defense then had a con-
ference, and many thought no defense
was to be offered, but Mr.. Iredell finally
addressed the jury, making an opening.
He showed conclusively that Alfred
Polhamus was not on board the boat at
the time the chain was taken, and Will
lam Polhamus was alone responsible for
the taking of the chain.
Mr.. Bacon conducted the examination
for the defense. Will White, one of the
defendants, was the first witness. He
said that last November he was working
as cook on the Freeman" in the employ
of William PolhamIs and Frank MADEIRA.
Capt. Polhamus told his crew that he
could not work the boat without ballast.
and he said he purchased a chain for 81
it was put aboard the boat by White,
Madeira and William Polhamus. Alfred
Polhamus was not on board at that time.
He knew nothing about the chain being
stolen until he was arrested. After the
chain had been taken on board, Capt.
William Polhamus sold his boat, and the
new owners took the craft to Philadel-
phia, and SO far as White knew, the chain
was sold.
Alfred Polhamus, so far as he was
able, corroborsted the testimony of
White. He was employed by William
Polhamus, captain of the Freeman"
and when the chain was taken, he under
stood that 1t was bought by the captain
for ballast. The chain was taken before
dark one night, after it had been left in