The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-11-29
CIRCUIT COURT.
Report OF the Grand Jury--Several Grim
inals Tried and Sentenced.

The Grand Jury finished their work last
Saturday and were discharged, subject to the
call of the Court if circumstances require it.
Following is their report:
To the Honorable Judges of the Circuit |
Court for Carroll county, MARYLAND The |
Grand Jurors of the November Term, 1902, |
respectfully submit the following report;
They have carefully and thoroughly exam
ined into all matters brought TO their consid
GRAFTON without favor or malice toward any
one. As result of their elaboration, they
report the following: Total cases investi
gated, %; witnesses examined, 1873; constables
examined, 10; cases presented, A; cases dis
missed, q; indictments found, A.
They visited the county Jail, which, under
the efficient custodian, Sheriff Francis A.
Crawford, was found to be in an improved
condition, two closets having been added
within the past year, one for the use of female
prisoners, the other for male prisoners, which
Is necessary to keep in close confinement.
The cells, bath rooms, corridors, and in
tact all the apartments were found to have
been recently whitewashed, and presented a
neat and attractive appearance; the yard out
side the buildings intended for prisoners was
nicely swept. The discipline appeared to be
very good, as order prevailed everywhere upon
the premises
After leaving the Jail, they walked to the
Aims House. This also was found to be in a
very much improved condition. The build
lngs, inside and outside, were kept in as good
condition as could be under existing circum-
stances
The inmates number 38; males, 20; females,
H. They all seemed happy and contented.
They also looked at the hogs, which can
compare favorably with any lot of hogs in the
county, two of which is estimated to dress
1900 to 1900 pounds by the Jurors, after which
Refreshments were served by the Steward.
Oar two weeks of service have been such
only as any twenty three just and conscientious
citizens might record, and in passing on all
cases, each of us has felt responsible for the
verdict rendered in every instance.
Our relations with each other have beenr
markably amicable, and we as body agree
that it is with deep regret that we realize the
time has come when we must sever our asso-
citation that has proven so congenial
We wish to express our gratitude for the
courtesy shown us by your Honor during this
term, and tender our thanks for the same.
Also to the States Attorney for the assistance
and advice given so kindly when needed, and
for the good dinner at Hotel Albion on last
day of meeting, which instance carried our
minds back one day before-when we were
treated in like manner by our Sheriff at the
Jail.
Having completed all the work which came
under our observation, we now most respect
fully ask, your Honor, to be discharged.
THEODORE DERR, Foreman.
The following cases have been disposed of
since our last report:
State VS.. Harry Powell and William Cox;
burglary and larceny; plea of guilty confessed
| by Harry Powell, and plea of not guilty on
| part of VIM. Cox; tried before jury; verdict
| guilty. Powell was sentenced to the peniten-
| tiary for 8 years, and VIM. Cox was sentenced
to the penitentiary for years. Weant for
State; Clemson and Smith for prisoners. Both
| of these prisoners are negroes. They broke
] into the store of Jesse A. Smith, in this city,
on the night of the 10th instant, and stole a
small sum of money, some cigars and tobacco.
Cox had only concluded term in the House
of Correction two days before the burglary.
State VS.. James Gray; gambling; plea of
guilty confessed; sentenced to pay fine of
$40 and costs. Weant for State, Steele for
| traverser
State vs.. Harry Mason; larceny; tried before
jury; verdict guilty; sentenced to the peni
tertiary for 7 years. Weant for State, Glenn
son, Smith and Brilliant for prisoner. State
VS.. Arthur Ford; larceny; tried before jury;
verdict guilty, and sentenced to the peniten-
tiary for years and months. Weant for
State, Clemson, Smith and Brilliant for pris
oner. These young men resided in Baltimore,
and were charged with robbing B. l. O. car
at Gathers, in Freedom district, of twelve
pairs of shoes. twelve undershirts, six pairs
mems drawers, eighteen negligee shirts, twelve
pairs of suspenders and twelve pairs of ladies'
| hose, of the value in all. of $54.
| State VS.. James Prettyman, colored; carry
ing concealed weapons; tried before jury;
verdict guilty; sentenced to House OF Correc-
| ton for six months Weant for State, Steele
| for prisoner.
! State VS.. Frank Dees. coored; assault with
intent to kill James Prettyman, colored, at
| Sykesville, on June IA, last; tried before
| jury; verdict guilty and sentenced to the penl-
| Tertiary for 4 years. Weant for State, Bril-
hart and Steele for prisoner. In passing SEN
tence in this case Judge Thomas said it was
| due to a merciful Providence that Deese was
not guilty of murder in the first degree; that
his conduct had all the elements of that crime
| except the actual killing of his victim. The
| sentence first was that Deese be confined in
| the Penitentiary for four years, but upon the
| Court being reminded that the prisoner was a
leader in the recent Jail breaking in this county
the term was increased to five years. Deese
! is the man who knocked down the jailer when
escaping, and was afterwards shot and wounded
! by the latter when endeavoring to evade re-
capture.
we.n au vs. tried before a nry; verdict guilty:
sentenced to House of Correction for nine
months. Weant for State, Steele and Reifsni-
der & Grimes for traverser.
In passing sentence upon two persons for
carrying concealed weapons Judge Thomas
alluded very strongly TO the dangerous prac,,
tice of parties going about heavily armed and
firing pistols in the air Unfortunately, to the
peril of the lives of innocent men, women and
children, as has been the case at Sykesville
and Mount Airy. The whole power of this
court, he said, would be exerted to put stop
to the practice.
The jury was discharged Wednesday until
Mnndav