The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1901-06-01
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CIRCUIT COURT.
Judge Reifsnider Sustained in the Draw
ing of the Grand Jury.


In the case Of Mary G. Bush VS.. Margare
L. and Warren f. Bush, on trial at the time
of the close of our last report, the jury rem
dered a verdict for the plaintiff for $120.
State VS.. Charles M. Harner; larceny d
clover seed plea of guilty confessed. Weani
for State.
State VS.. Byron Butler; burglary and larceny
plea Of guilty on Sd count in the indictment
confessed by prisoner. Sentenced to the
Penitentiary for three years. Weant fol
State; Steele for prisoner.
Stale VS.. Artie Thomas; larceny; tried be-
fore jury; verdict of not guilty, and prisoner
discharged. Weant for State; Henning and
Steele for prisoner.
State VS.. Levi Hall; burglary; plea of not
guilty confessed by the State.
TUESDAY.
State VS.. Levi T. Lee; assault and battery;
tried before Court; verdict guilty. and fined
one dollar and cost Weant for State; Ref
snider & Grimes for traverser.
WEDNESDAY.
A number of motions were argued before
the Court, and evidence was offered in the
afternoon as to the legality OF the grand jury.
On Friday of last week the case of Charles
Bowers, alias "Gimpyn Bowers. of fancy
town, indicted for larceny, was called up,
when the counsel, Bond & Parke, J. Milton
Reifsnider and Guy w. Steele, objected to
proceeding upon the ground that the grand
Jury which had found the indictment against
their client was not legally constituted. Evl,
dence was submitted Wednesday afternoon.
DR.. Jas. A. Billingslea, Clerk of the Court,
Jno. Milton Reifsnider, Guy W. Steele, f.
Neal Parke and Judge Reifsnider all testl-
fed, the evidence going to show that John y.
Null was the sixth grand juror drawn; that ms 81
name was set aside; that the name OF John /.
Waltz was put in the box in the place OF
Null. John E. Null, it was shown, lived in
Westminster district, and was drawn as from
Uniontown district by mistake.
The Court, Judges Jones and Revell, de-
cided that some irregularity was evident in
the drawing of the grand jury; that the mis-
take was no more than all judges experience;
that no fraud was intended; that the grand
Jurors were competent, and no injustice was
done to any one.
The matter will be taken to the Court OF
Appeals in the event the case of Bowers is
lost in the Court below.
After the decision as to the legality, Guy
w. Steele, counsel for John J. Tremper, the
alleged bigamist, argued demurrer to the
Indictment charging him with perjury in pro-
curing license to marry Mrs. Susan q. My
ers. The Court examined the Indictment,
and decided that while the Indictment might
be more specific, it was good and sufficient.
Mr. Weant made no argument.
Court did not hold session on Thursday.
Federal Decoration Day.
REPORT OF THE GRAND JURY.
The Grand Jury finished their labors on
Saturday last, and were discharged. They
reported to the Court as follows,
6 Maxy
respectfully submit the following report
They have carefully and thoroughly examined
into all matters brought to their consideration,
without favor or malice toward any one. As
a result of their deliberations they report that
they investigated 81 cases, summoned AZ
witnesses, examined 80, examined 10 consta-
bles. cases presented 81, cases dismissed 16,
indictments found 81. They visited the coun-
ty Jail. which, under the efficient custodian,
Sheriff George W. Motter, was found in as
good sanitary condition as the existing cir
cumstances permit The discipline appeared
to be very good, as order prevailed every
where upon the premises However, we sug.
gest that two closets be added to the PRISON
ers apartment, one in each of two cells foI
the accommodation of female prisoners, and
bad male prisoners, whom 1t is necessary to
keep in close confinement
They also recommended that the County
Commissioners place new chairs and water
cooler in the grand jury room. They also
congratulate themselves upon the amicabe
relations one to the other, and express graft
tude for the courtesy shown by the Court and
States Attorney.
Case of Charles Bowers, alias "Gimpy'
Bowers, of Taneytown, Indicted for larceny
of clover seed, which was begun on Friday
of last week, was taken up again yesterday.