Evening star., 1900-10-02
Outcome Of Charges Made by Lucy
Hart's Father.
JUDGE MERRICK'S STATEMENT
Declared Grand Jurors Must Be
Above Suspicion.
BOTH DENIED HART'S STORY
SpeajaI Dispstch TO The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star
MARLBORO, Md, October 2.-When
court met this morning the court room was
crowded. After the calling Of both the
grand and petit jury by the clerk the grand
jury was directed by the judge to remain
O while. he had few remarks to make
to the members. Mr.. Levin. the states at
torney. then arose and read an affidavit
which was made by Mr.. Hart the father of
Lucy Hart. In which he charged Mr.. Pink
ney Scaggs and Ferdinand c. Hall, two
members of the grand jury. with coming to
his home on September % and telling him
that if he would compromise the case of
DR.. Fox's son he would get a nice sum for
doing SO. and II he said so he would bring
the doctor down to him. Profound 81
lence reigned while the charge was being
made against these parties.
When the states attorney concluded
Judge Merrick asked Messrs. Scaggs and
Hall If they had anything to say. Mr..
Scaggs was the first one to speak He de-
MED most positively ever offering any in
ducement to Mr.. Hart. He said he met
him on the morning mentioned while on his
way to the store to get some nails to repair
q bridge.
Mr. Hart told him he was on his way to
the doctors, as his daughter was worse,
but returned in about an hour. He went to
the store and then returned by Mr. Hart's,
/ I
He said to Mr. Hart: That is very bad
thing DR.. Fox's boy had gotten into; 1t is
a pity 1t cannot be settled satisfactory to
all parties"
Mr.. Harris Reply.
Mr. Hart said that If he Fox) had seen
him sooner 1t could have been. Then Mr..
Hart said: You tell DR.. Fox to come and
see me. and probably 1 can arrange it"
Mr.. Scaggs declared that was all that was
ever. delivered Mr. Hart's message to the
doctor in the presence OF number OF peo-
pie
The doctor said that he would not go.
II Mr. Hart wanted to see him let him
come himself.
Mr. Hall then arose and said that the
affidavit charged Monday. when 1t was
Tuesday he went to see Mr.. Hart. He also
said 1t was terrible thing, and it was Q
pity it could not be settled. but most posi-
lively denied advising him to settle 1t In
any way.
Judge Merrick then said that this was
a most serious charge that had been
brought against them; that the grand jury
should be a body like Caesars wife, above
suspicion" and he would not, while he re-
mained on the bench, allow any man to
remain on the jury who was not above
suspicion. and he could not but believe
there was some truth In Mr. Harts state
ment He said he owed it to himself, to
the dignity Of the court and to the COM
munity. He hoped he would never be
called upon again TO do such thing. He
then followed with a few more words OF
warning and concluded: II, therefore, ex-
cuse and discharge you from the grand
Jury for the balance OF the term.
Mr.. Scaggs an Ex-Sheriff.
Mr. Scaggs was formerly a sheriff Of this
county and one of its prominent citizens.
Both of the grand jurors left for their
home shortly after they were discharged.
They received pay for the first day of SER
vice. but the Judge refused to allow their
per diem today. No indictments have been
brought down by the grand jury in the
case of rape charged against Sheriff Shea
and his companions. Mrs. Hart the mother
of the prosecutrx. and the two little Cum
ningham girls who were with Miss Hart
when the alleged offense was committed,
were before the grand jury and made their
statement this morning. Miss Hart, the
girl who made the grave charges against
the young men, was not in Marlboro today