Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1902-02-06
platform and he caused their arrest on

platform and he caused their arrest on
suspicion.
Samuel Stiles was sworn by the
State and asked to relate the circum-
stances under which the liquor had
been taken. Witness told how Nick
erson had taken the box containing
several bottles of whiskey, gin and
other liquors from the station and had
taken it into the woods and there
opened it and tested the quality of the
stuff. The liquor not drank was
taken in charge of by Nickerson, who
was treating his friends for several
days after.
Thomas Madden testified to finding
the empty box few days, after the
robbery, and Otley Norbury corrobo-
rated Mr.. Madden's statement He
also described the tracks leading from
the station to the place where the box
was found
The State rested its case and John
S. Mitchell, counsel for defendant,
outlined the defence to the jury. He
said that Nickerson would go on the
stand and positively deny the taking
of the liquor. Stiles has pleaded
guilty, he said, of receiving the liquor
and he would prove that Stiles also
stole the goods.
Some half dozen witnesses were
sworn by the defence to prove the in
nocence of Nickerson.
Mr.. Edward CLARK, of Bivalve, was
the first witness sworn. He was ac-
quainted with both Stiles and Nicker-
son, and that on night about the
middle of October, after the robbery,
he was on the boat on which Mr..
Stiles was cook and that he saw there
a bottle of gin and a bottle of orange
bitters. That Stiles had given him
some to drink and had also given him
some to take home. Stiles told wit
ness that he had sent to Philadelphia ia
and gotten the liquor.
Robert @. Nickerson, the defend
ant, sworn. Lives in Port Norris, en-
gagged in oyster business, % years old,
and acquainted with Stiles. Met
Stiles on October 11th, who told him
he was going to Dorchester. Both
were on bicycles and both continued
the journey together to Manumuskin
station. Stiles wanted to borrow
money. Witness said he went to the
station to meet his wife, who was
coming on the train. Both he and
Stiles were at the station for some
time. Saw the station agent and was
talking to him. Saw nothing of the
liquor at all. Witness said he missed
Stiles for some time. Saw him later
with bundle under his arm, and still
later saw him lying along the road,
drunk, he supposed. Witness denied
all knowledge of the rum which was
stolen. Court adjourned for the day
with witness still on the stand.
Thursday Morning.
1t took the jury about five hours
yesterday to decide whether or not
Mrs. Anna Bell Hinson was guilty or
innocent of the charge of stealing
from the graves in the Broad street
cemetery. At about eight O'Clock in
| the evening the twelve men filed into
| the court room and delivered ver-
dict of guilty to Clerk Betchner, who
| bod haop outbor;1ol ~ tolo a. r.. 49,, =
by the Court.
| Owing to the trolley cars being de-
layed by the snow storm, number of
the jurymen were late in getting to
Court. One of these, Frank Delucca,
OF Vineland, happened to be on the
jury in the box on the case of Chester
Nickerson, which was commenced
yesterday. Counsel of both sides
agreed to proceed with an eleven man
| jury, but Mr.. Deluoca coming in
shortly, the irregularity was straight
ened out and the case continued with
the defendant on the stand, with
twelve men on the jury.
In response to a question from Mr.
Mitchell as to whether he had a, bottle
of whiskey put down his pant leg, as
alleged by Mr.. Stiles, witness ac-
quiesced in suggested answer from
his counsel, that if he had any whis-
key he would not "put it down. that
way.
The cross ss-examination of the de-
fendant by Prosecutor Fithian was
very searching and thorough. He is
working hard for conviction in the
case.
Mrs. Phebe Niokerson, wife of the
defendant. was sworn. She testified
as to her husband meeting her at the
train at Manumuskin on the day the
liquor was stolen from the station.
She noticed no signs of drink on him
t all an she saw him leave on his
hiCVola for hOmn at port Nor,;. UyS+