The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-12-04

Two Of the leading cases in
point OF interest Of the present ses-
sion Of Criminal Court, were those
Of Abe Berger and Mike Katz, the
two notorious horse thieves, who
Piled their vocation OIL an exten-
sive scale over in the vicinity OF
Numedia, during the month OF
Septembers To these two cases can
be attributed the large attendance
at the Tuesday and Wednesday
sessions.
Katz was the first to be arraigu-
ed before the Court. He entered
plea Of not guilty to the charges,
but the evidence was strong and
conclusive, and his conviction was
only matter of short time. The
greatest length of time was required
in selecting the jury. Ralph Kisuer
OF Danville, counsel for the de.
fense, took advantage OF the law in
this respect and challenged twenty
# the jurors, which together with
-.even challenges made by the
Commonwealth completely exhaust
ID the panel. and the twelfth juror
1ad TO be selected from three call
ed as talesmen.
The first witness called in the
case was William NJ. Rarig, the
prosecutor. He testified that his
gray mare was stolen on Septem-
Der 9Th, and that il was four days
later that he recovered her.
Monroe Rake, proprietor of the
hotel at Aristes, testified that
Berger and Katz were at his place
in the morning Of September 4th
and remained there until the even
ing OF the 5th when they left, with
the stated intention of going to
Catawissa. In the matter of nam
ing their destination, when leaving
the Arestes Hotel it is evident that
they :oid the truth as A F. Hart
man harness maker OF Catawissa,
bore testimony that they had call
ed at his place OF business, and
purchased a leather and strap.
These were found in Katz' posses
sion when he was arrested. On the
evening Of the day that the pair
were in Catawissa they took supper
at the Catawissa house, Berger, ac.
cording TO the testimony of the
proprietor, Daniel Kistler, entered
both names on the register.
The most important testimony
for the prosecution was then given
by w. P. Walter, hostler at the
Ferry House, Sunbury, and J. R.
Van Horn, proprietor of the Sum-
NIT Hotel near Middleburg. Walter
stated that on Sept. 6, at very
early hour in the morning, as near
as he could remember it was about
three o'clock, Berger and Katz ar
rived at the hotel with a team, a
black and a gray. They unhitched
the horses and ordered the gray to
be kept under lock and key. They
remained about the place all day
Saturday. Sunday he did not see
then, but early Monday morning
they returned, hitched up and drove
of in the direction of Selinsgrove.
Mr.. Van Horn testified that he
met Katz for the first time on Mon
day Sept. 8. He aud Berger came
to his hotel. They wanted to sci
the mare, which they said had beer
in from the west for seven months
He finally made deal, trading
bay mare and giving thirty dollar
to boot.
The story of their arrest wa
related by Constable Waters of Mt
Carmel. He apprehended the pal
atthe Ferry House, Sunbury. The,
at first disclaimed any knowledg
OF where the horse was, but whel
confronted by some repairmen VIII,
had seen them pass near Selins
grove with gray mare, and re
turn with bay mare, they con
fessed. Chief of Police Morgan @