Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1903-03-12
TWO SENTENCED
STATES PRISON.


of criminal matters
The first case moved was that of
the State against John Clevenger, for
assault and battery, and came on for
trial shortly before the noon recess.
The case comes from Millville and
the evidence told of a scrap between
the defendant and Herbert Cougha-
nour, two employees at the factory of
the American Window Glass Co.
Mr. Coughano1r was put on the
stand and told of the attack made
upon him by Clevenger. It was un-
provoked and resulted in Coughanour
having his teeth knocked out and
otherwise being bruised up pretty
badly. Edward Mitchell and Albertus
Hand oorroborated. Coughanour's state
ment and the States case rested. Mr..
Clevenger put in no defence. The
Court adjudged the defendant guilty,
and as he has been before the Court
on three previous occasions, he was
sentenced to term of one year in the
States prison.
The next case moved for trial was
that OF the State against Harry Wood
ward, charged with an assault and
battery on his wife. Bessie Woodward.
This case likewise came from Mill.
vile and was nothing more nor less
than a family quarrel, with children
ond Of of bar
Bessie Woodward, the wife, was
sworn. She took the stand, bearing
in her arms small child, and sat
facing her husband, in the prisoners
dock. She told her story in answer
to the Prosecutors questions in
most straightforward manner, and
while she admitted her own imper-
fections, upon cross-examination of
her husband who conducted his own
case, still her testimony was convinc-
ing to the Court that she was telling
the truth She told of her husband
getting drunk and abusing her on
different occasions.
On the Sunday morning when the
alleged assault and battery occurred,
witness said that her husband choked
her until blood ran out of her mouth
and nose. He threatened to kill her
because she did not have any potato
stew for him when he asked for it.
1t was jealousy and rum that caused
all the domestic trouble in the home
Mrs. Lydia Quearns, sister of the
defendant, testified that she was pres
ent on the Sunday morning in ques-
tion, and saw Mr.. Woodward choke
his wife and had seen and heard
numerous quarrels. Saw Mrs. Wood
ward throw a dishrag at her husband
on the morning her husband choked
her. Witness was of the opinion that
it was case of ''six of one and half
dozen Of the other
William Quearns was sworn but he
knew nothing of the alleged assault
and battery. He had heard quarrels
in the family
Harry Woodward, the defendant,
went upon the stand in his own de-
Tense and told rather pathetic story
of home life. He said he objected to
many things going as they did in his
home; that he was not satisfied with
the class of people who visited his
house during his absence, and that
his wife held correspondence with
other men. He admitted choking his
wife. "She only wants to get clear
of me- said the witness as he left
the stand.
The Court adjudged the defendant
guilty and sentenced him to two years
and half at hard labor in the States
prison. "Even if your story is true"
said the Judge in imposing sentence,
"a man has no right to choke his
wife, and you were not justified in
doing so.
Ihe next case tried was the State
against Lester and Mary Platt, charged
with keeping disorderly house on
Cohansey street.
David Hewlings, Morris Katz, Louis
Katz, Chas. Corson and George Simp-
kins were sworn as witnesses for
the State. They all testified as to the
character of the Platt's house. The
place was frequented often by men
and women; drinking was carried on
and there was so much noise that the
neighbors were not able to sleep. One
of the witnesses expressed himself
that there was full house." and
from the other witnesses it might
easily be inferred that it was not only
the house that was full Some testi-
ned of getting drunk on the premises
and staying there all night.
Lawyer Rex Donnelly conducted the
defence for the Platts and endeavored
TO show by both Mr.. and Mrs. Platt
Shat the house they kept on Cohansey
street. was ordarJv oud y,oo aoo hIa opd