Bridgeton pioneer., 1901-10-17

The Prosecutors cross-examination
resulted in Sans admission of having
been convicted several times and did
not like his wife because she would
not live with him.
The jury promptly convicted Hous-
and and recommended him to the
mercy of the Court.
Another indictment was promptly
presented to jury, one charging
Jefferson Hushon and Harry Yeager,
the offense alleged being larceny, it
being said that they robbed Leslie M.
Ogden of about thirty baskets of oys-
ters, taking them from float at BIZ
valve about the middle of September
last.
David Ireland was the first witness
sworn:
Mr.. Ireland is a watchman en-
ployed by Mr.. Ogden and others to
watch their oysters while they are
lying on the floats to fatten.
On Sunday morning, about 230
O'Clock, Sept. 14th, Mr.. Ireland said
he heard a noise as though it was
someone ''forking' oysters. He
looked. out and saw two men on this
float. He rowed to them and said
Hold up, boys, this won't do, you
will have to put these oysters back. -
The men then told the witness if he
would not tell on them they would
put the oysters back. He came away.
Later he reported them.
On cross examination Mr.. Mitchell
asked: "Were not you and Hushon
drinking beer that night, and both
get drunk?'
''No, sir. -
Didn't you get drunk and fall
overheard, and didn't Hushon pull
you out ?''
No sir, didn't see Hushon that
night
The witness said the defendants
were putting the oysters on "scow"
off the float Then Mr. Mitchell
asked the witness if it would not
have been easier for the men to put
the oysters on their own batteau and
not ON the "scow."
No sir.
Explain why
"Well, +" said the defendant" they
were loading the scow with oysters
and then intended to let it drift down
the river and anchor it later, go get
a sailing skiff and remove the oys-
ters. - Hold on" interrupted Mr..
Mitchell, you're going too far. - . S;ass
That's an answer to your question,
Mr.. Mitchell, said Judge Trenchard.
Wouldn't it have been easier to
handle the oysters once, instead of
twice."
"No, sir. -
"Why not.
They would have to make more
trips and their batteau wouldn't hold
many oysters. -
'That's all, y said counsel for the
defense
Belford Bishop was called. He is
employed by Mr. Ogden as "taker
up'' man to remore the oysters at the
proper time. He heard Hushon say
the next day that the defendants had
Ogden's "scow." He was told by
Mr.. ireland in the presence of Mr..
Hushon that Hushon and Yeager were
attempting to steal oysters the night
| before.
The State rested
Harry Yeager was called in his own
defense. He said he is not in the
oyster business now but in the fish
business. He was in Bivalve early
that evening but left for home about
ten o'clock. Said Mr. Ireland was
Staggering" drunk on that night.
Witness denied having been near the
Ogden float.
Jefferson Hushon was called and
said he was at Bivalve until about
seven O'Clock. He then left, and said
he was not on the Ogden float.
The witness said Mr.. Ireland was
drunk on that night. He had been
drinking with him. Irelandfell over
board and Husbon pulled him out.
Then the defense rested and the case
went to the jury.
Friday Morning.
Before the criminal trials were re-
sumed this morning, Judge Trenchard
imposed the following sentences:
William Lucas, assault and battery,
fined $25.
John Hoffman, assault and battery,
fined $25.
Charles Shiffley, twenty one years
old, for stealing a horse, was sent to
the State Reformatory at Railway.
The confinement will be determined
by his behavior while there.