Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1901-09-26
COIJ 7
PROCEEDINGS
Mrs. Burke Arraigned on two Charges
Sherif's Deeds Acknowledged.


The regular term of September court
began Monday with K. r. Little,
President Judge, and DR.. s. Y. Thomp
son and Frank Blee, Associates, on the
bench.
Joseph S. Acor, Joseph +. SWank and
George w. Bennett were appointed as
tipstafs, the first named to wait upon
the grand jury and the two latter to
serve the court. James B. Pollock was
sworn as foreman of the grand jury.
The first case called was that OF Com
monwealth VS.. Elizabeth Burke, which
occupied the greater part of the after
noon, the prosecutor being William
Meyers. The charge was making threats.
For some time it appears there had been
bad blood between the Meyers and
Burke families, who reside on Railroad
street,jus outside the borough. On Sun
day, June %, matters were brought to a
crisis by quarrel between the children
of the two families. The youngsters
| began throwing stones at each other,
when according to the evidence of Will
lam Meyers, Mrs. Burke took the matter
up and began throwing stones against
the Meyers residence, after which she
INDUCED in some blood curdling threats,
in view of which the prosecutor lives in
fpoT n lEy
Mrs. Burke and her two little daughters
clearly contradicted the prosecution,
which left the whole truth of the matter
very much in doubt The court, before
whom the case was heard, announced
| that inasmuch as there is case pend
| ing of assault and battery in which Mrs.
| Burke is defendant, he would reserve
| his decision until after the second case
is disposed Of
The case of George Sommers and Miles
Sassaman, of Columbia county, who are
held responsible for the death of Well.
ington Hartman, went on trial about 3
O'Clock Monday afternoon. A true
bill was found last term of court, there
being two dictments-voluntary man
slaughter and involuntary manslaught-
| er.
Owing to the gravity of the charge,
which ranks next 10 murder itself, the
proceedings of the trial are marked with
the utmost caution and deliberation.
| District Attorney Thomas c. Welsh and
Edward S. Gearhart, Esq, are conduct
ing the prosecution, while the defend.
ants have the following array of talent
to lock after their interest: R. s. Am
norman. of this --;.--- William Ghrisman.
| of Bloomsbury, and w. II. Rhawn and
K. s. zimmerman moved to quash the
indictment OF voluntary manslaugh-
ter" and in support of the motion at
| length cited several authorities. He
was followed in argument by w. II.
Rhawn. The court, however, over rul-
ed the motion. Sommers and Sassaman
will be first tried on the indictment OF
voluntary manslaughter. Should they
be acquitted they will. have to stand trial
with the lesser grade of otfense, "invol-
untary manslaughter," as the charge.
Each side Monday availed itself to
| the full extent of the prerogative OF
challenge Nearly two hours were con-
sumed in impaneling jury. Where
one man was selected for the box four
or five were challenged, the most Of them
for "cause." At $50 o'clock the twelve
men were in the box. They are as fol-
| lows:
jeremiah piehl, John Eisenhart, Geo
Tillson, J. Mingling, William H. Dye,
Thomas Neville, William q. Bomboy,
William Miller, D. K. Williams, Charles
NJ. johnson, Samuel Lunger and John
Quigg.
Gilbert n. Fenstermacher VS.. Abigail
Fenstermacher. Petition for divorce.
Rule on libellant to furnish bill of par
ticulars within 80 days from service Of
rule granted as prayed for.
Petition for county bridge over Roar
ing creek between Mayberry township.
Montour county and Rush township,
Northumberland county. Alfred Litch.
ard and John Diehl appointed viewers.
Theodore Doster ct. al. VS.. Isaiah
Hilkert, ct. al. In partition Inquisition
approved.
In re-alleged lunacy Of William 5.
Roberts. Return of inquisition confirm
ed
Petition of Erwin Hunter and Richard
| w. Eggert for Sheriff to make deed for
lot of ground sold by him, April "a,
1897. Sheriff directed to make deed as
prayed for.
In the estate of David Clarke, late OF
borough of Danville, decd. Petition Of
executor for leave to join in sale OF an
undivided interest in a lot of ground in
; Danville, Pa. Petition granted as pray
ed for
Gilbert \. Fenstermacher vs.. Abigail
Feustermacher Petition correspondent
for rule to show cause why libellant
should not pay her sufficient sum to
= pay her counsel AID defend herself in
the suit Rule granted as prayed for,
returnable to next term of argument
court.
Estate of Jane Robbins, decd, late OF
Liberty township. Offer of |. Clinton
Robbins to take real estate ruled by the
court to accept or refuse at price or
sum of SS6S above the apprsisement.
q Land awarded as prayed for. Decree to
be made.
! Joseph Caddy. Larceny, true bill.
? The following widows appraisements
o and trustees accounts were presented
and confirmed nj 81:
Clara A. Roney, widow OF w. +.
, Roney, deceased, late of the Borough OF
0 Danville, for $500.