The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-08-07
STOLEN HORSE
WAS RECOVERED.
Barney" Ray of Minerva Bound
Over to Grand Jury.
IDENTIFIED BY WITNESSES.
A Case In Mayors Court Friday Afternoon
That Was Heard by Many Minerva
Citizens-That the witnesses
Testified.

Citizens-That the Witnesses
Testified.
Quite large number of Minerva peo-
pie were in attendance at the prelimin-
ary hearing given Frank L. Ray, of Mi
nerva, in Mayor Robertson's court FRI
day afternoon. Ray had been arrested
by the marshal of Minerva on the
charge of stealing a gray horse owned
by Motifs e. Hahn. The animal was first
missed Sunday morning, after having
been placed in a stable Saturday night.
An employe of the firm noticed that the
horse was gone, but decided that he was
taken out for a drive Sunday morning,
by member Of the firm, and he made
no report to the owner of the animals
absence until Monday morning. Imme-
diately Mr.. Motifs, of the firm, and 9TH
ers instituted q search and evidence led
to the discovery Of the horse in this city.
With the assistance Of Officer Blake,
Of this city, and the marshal, the ami
NAL was returned to Mr.. Motifs and
driven to Minerva by the man who had
him In his possession in this city.
Motifs was told, after he had made
known his loss, that certain Minerva
people had seen Frank (Barney) Ray,
of Minerva, driving the animal towards
Canton early Sunday morning. This
led to his coming to this city to investi-
gate. One witness saw him in the vi
cinity of the Pennsylvania depot, pass
ing down street with Motifs horse, and
returning up the street with a different
horse. The facts were easily compre-
hended by officer Blake and Motifs, and
q RI fn Ea triy n
south eastern portion of the city Tues
day. They learned of horse trade in
the vicinity of Robin street which had
been witnessed by many of the citizens
and which had created some excitement
on account Of the liberal dealing of the
fellow who had made the offer of a
trade with a Jewish peddler.
FOLKS WOULDN'T TRADE.
Offers were made to several citizens Of
Robin street, but they seemed wary Of
the stranger in their midst and did not
trade. Abraham Smith, a peddler, re-
siding on Robin street, was among the
crowd that gathered about the horse
trader. He was desirous of securing a
good horse, and when the trader asked
for horse and $12 additionally in trade
for the horse he was driving, Smith Sc
riously considered the question of q
| trade and he finally consummated the
deal by giving in exchange his own
horse and SO in cash. He asked for re-
ceipt and the stranger handed him
the following form, without date line or
city:
mister Johnson. I traded horses. A.
Smith got gray horse Of Mr.. Charley
johnson. Akron, Ohio"
The man then stated that his name
was Johnson and that he hailed from
| Akron, and that he was in legal possess
| sion of the horse which he traded. Smith
apparently was satisfied, and shortly
/ afterwards the trader started away
| with the horse received from Smith and
| the SO cash.
When officer Blake and Motifs called
| on Smith Tuesday, a denial was made
of the deal. Then when confronted with
all the facts Smith admitted that he
had the horse. The animal was finally
| identified by Mottsj end arrangements
were made to have Smith and a young
man drive the animal TO Minerva. In
the meantime an excellent description
was obtained respecting the man who
had acted as horse trader, and a war
rant was issued by Mayor Robertson
for Frank L. Ray, of Minerva, charg-
ing him with unlawfully taking possess
sion of horse belonging to Motifs &
Hahn, the animal being valued at $50.
The marshal at Minerva was immedi-
ately telephoned to place Ray under ar
rest and he accomplished this, and then
Marshal Reinhart was sent to Minerva
for the alleged thief Wednesday
morning Ray was taken out of the viii
lage prison and as he stepped out of the
door Smith and the young man drove
up
AND IDENTIFIED RAY
as being the party with whom the horse
trade was made Sunday. Ray denied
emphatically that he was the man. He
was brought to this city and locked UP
and when arraigned before the mayor
pleaded not guilty.
FRIDAY afternoon preliminary hear
ing was held in the mayors court ROOM
Motts and other witnesses were pres
ent when the case was called. Ray was
given chair, he having been assigned
no counsel, where he could face his ac-
cusers and cross examine them.
e. l.. Motifs, one of the owners of the
horse, testified that he first missed the
horse Sunday morning, and he identi-
fled the prisoner as Barney" Ray his
proper name being Frank. Ray stated
shat he had no questions to pr6pound in
DISCRIMINATION.
Jacob Keckley, residing within mile
of Minerva, stated that he was in Can
ton on Sunday and saw Ray twice in
the vicinity of the Pennsylvania depot.
sSannn6 I n
ley, Ray cftlsd me over to him and
said he would give me a nickle to buy
a cigar. He said 1 shouldn't tell any
body that I w him m ton,r on A..