Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1900-05-17


testimony,
Allen Laymen testified to the hav-
ing seen the tracks leading to the de-
fendant's barn and also suggested that
about the same time he had noticed
that some corn stalks had been stolen
from his field.
. Then the defendant was given an
opportunity. He is a German and
cannot speak English, and Adolph
Hess was sworn as an interpreter.
Mich said that he remembered when
Constable Nickerson visited his barn.
and then in detail he proceeded to
give an accurate account of himself
for three days previous to the night
of the robbery, also including the
night
1t was a cleverly constructed alibi,
and if true, there is no reason why
Mich should be convicted. He dis
claimed any knowledge of the where
abouts of Bowles property, and swore
| positively that the feed found in his
barn by the officers was purchased in
Philadelphia.
Friday Afternoon.
Court is vending its way. to the end
and it would not be surprising if the
May term with it's little rays of sun
shine to some, and lowering clouds of
wrath for Others would come to an
end about next Wednesday night.
Anyway from this afternoon until
Wednesday morning, there will be no
court sessions.
The trial of the Indictment against
Joseph B. Clark, charging him with
forgery, was the next feature of Pros
ecutor Fithian'S continuous perform
ance program, and it was one of the
humorous SpecialtieS to everybody but
the star performer Clark sort of got
impressed with the idea that he was
playing heavy tragedy, and the poor
fellow was
Clark forged the name of Fred
Keifer on note, which he gave in
payment for horse purchased of
William W. Fox. The note was of
the promisory sort and drawn upon
the Cumberland Trust Company.
The value of the note was 500. There
was nothing in the evidence which
indicated there could be any mistake
about the matter. w. W. Fox said
that Clark gave him the note and
Thomas M. Tice was present to say
that he drew the body of the note for
Clark. Ferdinand Kiefer followed this
testimony by saying that Clark
worked for him few hours at one
time, and thus became acquainted
with him. He showed that the forged
note bore the name of Keifer.
James B. Clark the defendant. told
his story. 1t was a peculiar story.
Clark said that he bought the horse
and his uncle endorsed note for him.
but Mr.. Fox would not receive the
note. Clark then declares he went to
Ke1fer and got him to endorse the
note. That was such a bold thing for
the defendant to do that the people
present almost gasped for breath.
The state rebutted the story by de-
claring that in Jail he was told by
| Clark that he knew the note was
forged when he attempted to use it.
There was no argument from the
defendant or state and Judge Trench
ard briefly charged the jury. The
twelve gentlemen did what is seldom
done, in this court, rendered verdict
without leaving their chairs. The
verdict was guilty, showing how con-
elusive the story of the state was.
The jury in the case against Mich
came in with verdict of not guilty.
The result of the jury's deliberation
was something of surprise.
| 1t had been expected that the Pro
secutor would move the Indictment
against Captain Ellis Reeves, charged
with the illegal sale of LIQUOR. but
for sufficient reason the trial of the
case was postponed until next We'd
neSday.
Judge Trenchard interspersed the
proceedings little bit by summoning
Clark to appear before the bar, and
then the court imposed upon him
sentence of eighteen months in the
State Prison at hard labor.
Over in Vineland there lives a gen.
tleman named Frank Soucini. He is
of Italian descent, and looks it. He
has a restaurant business over in the
Borough, and has quite reputation
OF one kind or another. Mr.. Soucini
was one of the centre pieces over at
| the Court House this afternoon. He
was charged with the illegal sale of
| liquor.
WHAT'S the use of going into details
of the case. The evidence .upon the