The evening Republican., 1902-05-03
R0XHUNTERS
CONVICTED.

Wilson and John Bennett for as
saulting Bethuel w. Hall, brought
in a verdict of guilty tonight.
The jury remained out until this
evening. The prisoners evidently
hoped for an acquittal or Disagree
ment. The verdict, however, was
guilty, with recommendation for
mercy. The four defendants quak-
ed as the court commanded them to
stand up. Mr.. Ridgely said: May
it please court these are good sub
stantial citizens of Milford men of
property and families. They have
never been law breakers and they
have never been accused Of wrong
doing before
Chief Justice Lore said There's
was BRUTAL offense, and although
the jury recommends mercy upon
the part of the court, we are com
PEELED, in the interest OF justice, to
pronounce as the sentence the pay
ment Of the costs ofprosecutlon and
six months imprisonment. Be
cause of the recommendation Of
mercy the court will remit a fine.
The Mills brothers John R. and
Wilbur E. who have magnificent
physiques, restrained their feelings,
and 50 did John Bennett, who man
Tested stolid Indifference Jacob
n. Wilson cried aloud piteously
when going from the court house:
Oh my God. this is terrible. Why
did do it?' His companions and
Warden Ward calmed him. He is
a liveryman and will sell out his
business. Several Milford citizens
were moved to tears over the mems
plight. The jurors were compll-
mented on their stand.
The Milford feuds between fox
hunters and Farmers, which resulted
inthe beatinginto insensibility ofone
man and the threatening to lynch
and mob others, was continued
today. this time by the attorneys en-
gagged in the case. in a vigorous ar
gument lasting long past the time
for noon adjournment. The jury
was then charged by Judge Bryce,
who declared chat no words OF a%-
gravation. however opprobrious.an-
| moving on veXatiOuS, no more naked
words. could he used rs aVallng to
the defense in the justification OF an
! assault Even no words used by
Bethuel W. Hall could possibly jus
| tfy an assault and battery such as
was committed upon him i'll Milford
| when the four fox hunterssurrolnd
ed him and John r. Mills beat him
into insensihility. And if the other
three accused, ;iied him in admin
istering the beating, they were
equally guilty.
NJ; kcnney amused the crowded
court room by hsingenious argument
Of defense, on the ground that u man
loved his doy as he did his own rcla'
tive in the household. Even though
the whole household should turn
against the man, and all his friends
forsake him, the dog would remain
faithful abiding in poverty and lick
ing the hand of the master who could
no logger give it food, content to
| weld with him in starvation and ii.
naIly sit upon his grave until death,
too, relieved it.
Men have u right to have such
friends, to fight for them when they
are manglcd ard Imaltreatcd as the
dugSof these foXhlnters were by these
farmers. only wonder that we are
not here defending a case OF riot than
simple caSH Of assault.
Attorney General Ward, in con
GLIDING before the jury, urged that
they should not take into considcra-
ton the respectablity, refinement
and education of the four defendants
John Mills, Jacob Wilson, Wilbur
NJ ills and John Bennett.
Why should we hold Il poor cOoret
man. or poor white trash, II | may
use that term, accountable to tht
law, and allow well dressed men ant
men of education and property to gt
scot free when there is such al lnlrdc
ton Of the law as this, and such
wounding Of public justice?
If there is to be respect of person
in the administration Of the law, ther
say, welcome mob rule and anarchy
Any suffering that these four defend
ants may have undergone Since tlli'
charge was brought against them, ha
come not from fear ofany puniShmen
imposed by man, but the punlshmen
that God blazcs upon man 'sconscienc
after he has committed Il coward,
and daslardly act.
A little life may be sacrificed to
sudden attackof Group, if you don
have Dr. Thomas Eclectric on o.
hand for the emergency.
Mu de- Suspect Captured.
West Chester, Pa, May Geo
Johnson. a negro. who shot aud ia