Sistersville daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1902-1905, 1903-04-06
Judge Willis Refused Writ
Of Habeas Corpus For
Capt; Pine.
APPLICATION WAS HEARD
In Chambers at Mcclure House Saturday
Morning. Review Of Case.

SSnStoOAS ~ ~ ~
Vile.
Captain Pine, through his attor'
neys, Hunt and Staples, instituted
habeas corpus proceedings. The
writ was granted by Judge Melvin,
and according to provisions In law.
the hearing was held before Judge
Willis In chambers at the Mcclure
House yesterday morning.
Pne was srreste1 On tie 21st
day of March. on charge prefer
red by Mayor Meek, of Slstersville,
and for the first complaint was
placed under bond In the sum of
$500. The initial charge was based
on Misrepresentation OF orders on
the city treasury and the case was
heard before Squire G. L. Lowther.
The case broadened and Pine
was rearrested on a charge prefer
red by O. G.. Guyton, city water
commissioner, and Pine was requir-
ed to give ball fer 81, 900, to appear
before the circuit court of Tyler
county. Up to this time the en-
ormity of his misdoings was not
fully known, and consisted of rails
Ing the amounts of many orders.
The latter charge was that of for
gerry, In which he had issued fraud
ulent or ders, and the names ap
pearing on Them were fictitious and
did not exist. When this finding
was made, 1t possibly occurred to
Pine and his attorneys that the
last resort was habeas corpus pro-
ceedings, as the requirement OF a
larger bond was evident.
At the hearing In this city before
Judge Willis the application for his
discharge was denied, and Pine was
az ain placed In the custody of the
constable.
The hearing was very short one
considering the importantnce of
the case. The arguments of counsel
for Pine, Messrs. Hunt & Staples,
were presented In the strongest
possible light, while the prosecution
was argued by Hon. J. H. Strickling
of Middlebourne, and Messrs.
Hanes and Young, of Sistersville.
The expert accountants. A. Edward
Aggas and T. F. Birmingham, who
have been dlssecting the accounts
kept by Pine, were present and pre-
sented their findings.
Others present were Mayor Il. @,
Meek, Squi e G. L. Lowther, Council
man W. II. Noll, City Treasurer
w. L. Russell, Street Commissioner
W. F. Rice. Water Commissioned
O., G. Guyton. Prosecuting At
torney I M. Underwood, and Con
stable G. o. Cutler.
The scene In chambers was dra'
matte, as Judge Willis rendered
his decree. Captain Pine Is a man
of slender physique, shrunken by
the wear of many years of business
life. He Is over fifty years of age,
and being we'll nigh an invalid
there Is not much left In life for
him to enjoy or partake of. While
he has seemingly been hard
worker as an accountant and In
official capacities, hts unfair ways
have contributed to his labors.
In reviewing the case of Captain
Pine. 1t Is found to be remarkable
one-almost without a parallel, from
the fact that he had for many years
enjoyed the confidence and esteem
of his constituents, regardless of
political beliefs, to greater ex-
tent, perhaps, than any man elected
to an Office In Tyler county or the
city Sistersville. His family has
always been among the first In The
city, and he himself was a deacon
In the church, and as he had the
society's finances In his keeping,
made unlawful use of these funds
also.
Several years ago he was con.
victed on a charge of sending OBJ
scene letters through the malls. He
served term at Moundsville. his
prison mate, James Mortimer, who
was released about the time Pine
was, was painter.
When Pine had his fine residence
built on Diamond street III Sisters
Vile, Mortimer was employed to do
the painting. For his services on
Pines own house, Pine bled the
city to the tune of $3.50.
Many similar Interpretations
are cited, and the accountants
II