Smyrna times., 1901-10-30
GEORGE FOWLER AND WIFE
RELEASED FROM CUSTODY
DESPITE DANGEROUS ADMISSIONS THEY
WILL NOT HAVE TO STAND TRIAL.
Former Smyrnians We're Lucky in That Mrs.
Bennett Had tone Out of the Courts Jur.
isdictiOn-Check Had Disappeared.


George W. Fowler and Werlie Fow-
Ter, his young wife, formerly of
Smyrna, were released from custody
az Dover yesterday, and will not have
to stand trial for alleged perjury. At
torney- General Ward found that Mrs.
Nellie Nj. Bennett, whose name thew
are alleged to have signed to check
for $1OO, which Fowler cashed at the
Farmers Bank, had gone out of the
courts jurisdiction and the check itself
had disappeared. The accused are nice
looking young people, the husband
being 2G and the wife % ears of age.
The check was drawn on the Farmers
Bank, where Fowler had presented it
on July 20, and had received the
money from Teller Cooper. After the
man had left the bank, however. the
teller discovered that the signature
was not Mrs. Benefits. Cashier Wal
ter Morris overlook Fowler on the
street, and the latter returned all the
money except few dollars, which he
had spent.
The prisoners surprised everybody
by pleading not guilty, due it is sup
posed to one of the states important
witnesses being absent from the State.
Both Fowler and his wife made dan
gerous admissions when they were ar
ralgned before Magistrate Wood in
July, there having been no real
evidence against Mrs. Fowler until she
admitted signing Mrs. Benefits name.
Other Kent COunty Court Cases.
Walter p. Pratt, of Clayton. was re-
lleved of the humiliation of answering
to charge of embezzlement by the
nolle prossequi of the attorney general.
Reuben j. Prattis, charged with a
serious crime, did not answer to his
name and capias was taken, return
able at the November term. William
Butler, of Brenford, a young colored
man, was fined $25 for carrying con-
cealed deadly weapon and paid the
fine. Lawyer Edward F. REYNOLDS
was appointed a commissioner to take
testimony in the case for divorce
brought by Theodore F. Cooke, for
merly of the Water Department of
Dover against Mrs. Cooke. Charles
Burton and a number of other petty
offenders were sentenced to be fogged
at the post next Saturday.
Chief Justice Lore sentenced these
prisoners: Wilbur Ridgway, deaf
mute, stealing two wedding rings.
value $50, from the burning home of
Mrs. Hattie E. Martindale, Dover. two
years and 10 lashes; Charles Purnell.
robbing William NJ. Watt of a suit
case and clothing, while a passenger
on the Delaware railroad train, one
year and ten lashes; Charles Burton.
stealing jewelry from William D. Will
liams, of Milford, four months and ten
lashes; James May Horsey, an attrac-
tive Moor, and Joseph Lee, charged
with larcency, were released by the
grand jury.
The grand jury also found true bills
against Nolan Travis, charged with as
saulting Policeman Paris, of Harring-
ton, with intent to kill; George W.
Williams, colOred, charged with as
saulting William Il. David with intent
to kill, and William Butler, colored,
charged with carrying concealed a
deadly weapon. Former Senator Ken
ney will defend Travis. William M.
Hope was assigned as counsel for Will
liams. The grand jury ignored the
bill against Samuel Taylor charged
with larceny.