The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1900-08-16
OUT ON BALL..
BY Furnishing Surety in the
Sum of $25OO Ritter Coss
is Given His Freedom.
Robert Evans and Charles
VanHorn Testify.

Inc habeas corpus hearing in the
case of Ritter Goss, of Fairmount
township, Luzerne county, charged
with having run down with team
and caused the death of John Cole,
about two miles above Benton, on
the night Of July aIst last, was heard
before His Honor Robert r. Little,
and Associates Fox and Kurtz, at
two o'clock Monday afternoon.
The Commonwealth was represent
ed by District Attorney John G.. Har-
man. assisted by S. B. Karns, Esq,
of Benton. Fred Ikeler, Esq, was
counsel for the defendant
The frs. witness called was Robert
Evans, of Benton. This is the man
who was injured at the Everett &
keller saw mill explosion, and whose
inability to be present caused the
postponement of the hearing before.
He gave very lucid account Of the
tragedy, was cool and collected, and
measured every word carefully. He
met Goss, for the first time, in Ben
ton, at halfpast nine, or about an
hour and halt previous TO the acci-
dent. Together they went about
town, visiting different places-stores,
hotels, etc, until few minutes be-
fore eleven o'clock, when they, in
company with Charles VanHorn and
his brother (whose first name we
failed to learn), started in a heavy
farm wagon for home. Goss and Ev-
ans were on the seat of the wagon,
while the VanHorn boys were sitting
in the back end. AT or near the Ed
son bridge, John Cole, on bicycle,
caught up to the wagon, and asked
permission to get ahead. Goss an
swered by saying, "No, sir, you can't
pass" The journey homeward was
continued for the distance of about a
half mile, when Cole sprinted to
one side of the wagon and succeeded
in getting ahead. Goss at once ap-
piled the whip to the horses, and Cole
was run down, The witness was not
positive whether it was the tongue of
the wagon or the wheel which struck
the victim, but he thought it was the
former. He was aware of what had
happened, and wanted to get out, but
Goss would not stop, until he had
reached Edwards lane, mile above.
Here Evans left the wagon. As he
was walking away Goss cautioned
him to keep his mouth shut, and said,
"If you meet anybody and they ask
you if you passed big wagon, say
no."
The next witness called was Chas.
VanHorn. His story corroborated
that of Evans. Here the Common
wealth rested its case.
Judge Little expressed himself
briefly. The case, in his opinion, was
not capital one, and that the defend
ant could, if he would furnish surety,
be given his freedom. Bail, in the
sum of $a5oo, was asked for. Goss
was unable to furnish that amount
and was given into the custody of
Sheriff Black. The case will come
up for trial at September term of
Court.
Bail was furnished on Wednesday
and Goss was released.
At the conclusion of the above the
following other business was disposed
Of:
Estate of Franklin Mcbride. Pc
tition of widow and heirs of deceased
for payment of fund for use of widow
and heirs. Petition granted.
Catawissa Fibre CO. VS.. Catawissa
Water Co. Petition presented for
appointment of viewers to assess dam
ages. September 10, 1900, fixed for
hearing.
VIM. II. Cookies use VS.. Sadie
Tones ct al. Petition for rule, and
rule granted, returnab!e at next term.
H. B. Greasy and M. B. Greasy VS..
the N. & w. B. Railroad Company.
The following viewers were appointed
to assess damages Russell Karns,
Silas I. Conner, H. T. Young, Frank
Kitchen, ]. K. Sharpless, George
Fisher and Philip Harris.
Estate of William A. Kile. Cita-
ton on Elmer r. Harvey. Conflrma-
ton stricken off and resale ordered.
Samuel Gigger has purchased