The Western news., 1901-05-15
GRAVES GUILTY OF RAPE.
A Strong Case Against Defendant
Blankenship Found Guilty.

excused by the court for different
causes, thus reducing the venire to %.
An additional venire was ordered and
the following jurors were added to, the
venire for the the term: III. S. Page,
A. L. Johnston, S. G.. Sargent, E. f.
Ferrell, John Corrigan, Matt Bin
dauer and c. r. Smith.
The case of Frank Blankenship,
charged with forgery, was then tried.
Five witnesses for the state testified,
the evidence being identical with the
report given by this paper at the time
of the arrest. The defense offered no
testimony and after argument by
counsel the case went to the jury
which after being out a short time re-
turned verdict of guilty and left the
punishment to the court.
THE GRAVES CASE.
The case of Chas. L. Graves, charg-
ed with rape WAS next called. The de-
fendent being without means the
court appointed Attorney Geo. 7.
Baggs to defend him.
After sone little difficulty a Jury
consisting of the following was en-
panelled to try the case;
M. D. Newton. Sebastian Wagner,
A. Beckwith, S. F. Salsberger, J. G.
Wilson, Thos. E. Sheridan, George
Trenary, F. w. Jordan ]. H. Croghan,
r. B. Nicholson, H. r. Neafus, and
Benz. Erway. Court then adjourned
until 9 O'Clock Wednesday morning.
The Graves trial was resumed this
morning, large crowd being in at
tendance.
Stella Crush was the first witness.
She testified that her mother who died
several years ago had told her that she
was born 1888. She said Graves
began '.fooling with her" about four
years ago and that improper rela-
tions had been sustained for a year
past. She told no one about it until
after she had left Graves home and
was safe in the protection of Frank
Crush. her halt brother. She had been
| afraid to tell or make any outcry be-
cause Graves had threatened to kill
her. He bought her a watch and
other presents. On cross examination
| other revo.ting details were brought
out.
Mrs. Frank Crush testified that on
| Stella's request the child was brought
to their home, upon complaint that
| Graves had abused her A few days
later Stella told her all about the
affair. When she arrived at the Crush
home the child's nervous system was
completely disorganized and she was
afflicted with st. Vitus' dance. This
was between the 20 and 80 of March.
| With good care and treatment the child
has about recovered. Mr.. Crush cor
roborated his wife's statements and
testified that Stella was Is years old
on March 13 last. The prosecution
then rested.
/ Chas. L. Graves, the defendant,
testified that he had been married
FIVE years and had four children. He
made general denial of the charges.
/ His wife next testified in his behalf.
She is short-sighted and has difficulty
in articulating. She swore that she
had never seen anything out of the
way. About a year ago she had heard
reports and asked Stella about it.
| 4
i'll her room. She had heard
!. nothing since until the arrest. She
denied positively that she had told
: Mrs. Moon and Mrs. Brush that "she
J had caught Charley Iii bed with Stel.
!. la" She admitted that she had told
, Constable Terpening that ''circum
; stantial evidence was strong against
her husband and that he would have a
hard time to prove his innocence.
Ray Crush, brother of the girl
testified that he had heard rumors
about a year ago and at the Count,
, Attorneys advice had been on the
watch ever since but had seen moth
) ing wrong.
, +. H. Drinkenberg, II. L. Perkin.
| and Frank Maynard testified as to thu
{ previous good character of Graves
E This ended the testimony for the de
!. feuSe.
County Attorney Baker cal led IN re
. buttal Mrs. w. NJ. Brush and Mrs.
J. Moon, who testified that about tw'
o years ago at the homie of Mrs. Brush
Mrs. Graves had stated that ''she ha,
). caught Charley in bed with Stella,
). and had complained of Graves cor
e duct. Mrs. Graves and Stella ar
e full sisters.
r. The testimony being all in the cour
0 gave the jury its instructions an
Il argument of counsel began.
d After being out nearly three hour
lie the jury returned a verdict findin
l. Graves guilty and leaving the pur
d ishinent to be fixed by the cour
r. Until the last ballot the jury stoo
eleven to one for conviction.