Bridgeton pioneer., 1901-10-17
CUMBERLAND COURTS.
The Detailed Proceedings of the
October Term.
SOME OF THE SENTENCES
Many Petty Cases Heard and Con-
victions Found = Some Plead
Guilty.
Wednesday Afternoon.


The first of the afternoon business
was the case against John Clevenger,
charged with assault and battery.
John S. Mitchell appeared in de-
fense of the accused.
Prosecutor Fithian stated that the
assault occurred on the first of last
June, and George Williams of Mill
vile, was the victim.
Lawyer John S. Mitchell appeared
to defend Clevenger
George Williams was called and said
he was beaten by Clevenger. Satur-
day evening, June 1st, he had been
annoyed by the loud talking OF a
crowd of fellows in front of his resi-
dence. He requested the crowd to
move and Immediately John eleven
ger came over the street, and calling
him down. He beat Mr.. Williams
seriously.
Mr.. Williams identified Clevenger
as the one who beat him.
GdIl AlOph1uS G6SG1H0u n0 u6dru Gn6
loud talking of the crowd and noticed
Clevenger come across the street.
The state rested.
Lawyer Mitchell said the defence
would prove that Clevenger was de-
Tending himself when Mr.. Williams
was injured.
John Clevenger, the defendant, was
called. He said he, with two other
fellows, was walking up the street
past the Williams residence. This
trio was followed by crowd of fell
lows who were using loud and indie
cent language. Then Mr.. Williams
came out and told the boys to quit
swearing. Clevenger said he was not
swearing, but went over to find out
why Mr.. Williams had accused the
boys. Then Mr.. Williams struck
Clevenger on the shoulder and at
tempted to repeat the dose and Clev-
enger, in defending himself became
clinched with Mr.. Williams and both
fell.
On cross examination Prosecutor
Fithian asked the witness:
"Why did you go back?''
"To apologize.
''Had you been swearing?''
''No, SIR
"Why then, did you have to apollo
gize?''
81 thought he meant me. Z"
''Did you apologize
Eyes sir and as I did Mr.. Williams
hauled of and hit me'
There was other supporting testi-
mony and the case went to the jury.
After being out about twenty min
utes, verdict of guilty was rendered
Adolph Sharp charged with the
illegal sale of liquor in Vineland, re-
tracted his plea of not guilty and
pleaded guilty.
The succeeding case, was the trial
of the indictment against Charles
Sheppard charged with assault and
battery upon Jane Deschiels, little
girl, on the first of last August. The
defense was conducted by Messrs
Samuel Iredell and George Elmer.
William Eastburg, representative
from the Friends Home for Orphan
Children, at Philadelphia, was the
first witness called. He said in March
last he had placed two children in
the home of Charles Sheppard, the de-
fendant, in Hopewell township.
On the eighth of August Charles
Sheppard sent word to the home for
them to send him car fare for the
children as he was going to send
them to the home. The witness said
he was sent there on the same day to
investigate. When he arrived he saw
the little girl, Jane DescAiels, had been
i'll treated. Her face was covered
with cuts and bruises and her body
was also bruised. He asked the girl
how she became so badly cut and was
told Charles Sheppard did it. Shep-
pard acknowledged doing the beating
and said he whipped the girl to cor
rect wrong doings. The representa-
tive then reported to the Home and on
the sixteenth was sent here after the
girl He removed her to the home
Jane Deschiels, the little girl who
was beaten, was called. She said she
was IA years old. On Sunday, August
4th, Mr.. and Mrs. Sheppard went
away. During the time they were
absent from the house the little boy
put milk in the wash basin.
When Mr.. Sheppard returned home
he took the children out in the yard