Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-04-21
SCHOOL
Henry Vermeesch Sentenced for
MansIaughter by Judge
Gest.
MAXIMUM IS "a YEARS
Attorneys For Young Man Give No
tice of AppeaI-Other News
of Court.

Henry Nermeesch, convicted by a
jury of the crime of manslaughter,
this morning was sentenced 10 the re-
fOrmatory at Pontiac by Judge ". H.
Gest in the circuit court, it having
been shown that the defendant has not
yet attained his majority, having only
recently passed his goth year.
The penalty for manslaughter is not
less than one nor more than II years.
If the whole term is inflicted Yer
meesch will have to remain at Pom
tiac until he is 81 years of age. old
enough to be the father of many of
his fellow-citiZens.
However, it is believed that the
young man, in view of the excellent
reputation he bore before his crime.
will be pardoned after he has served
a reasonable period beyond the mini
mum sentence of one year.
His attorneys. Searle & Marshall.
though, have not yet abandoned the
fight they are making TO secure his
freedom, and this morning gave notice
of an appeal to the supreme court.
Court Shows sympathy.
Judge Gest, in passing sentence, evil
denced, as he has on so many occas-
ions during his term on the bench, his
sympathy and interest in the young
men brought before him for punish
ment He told Vermeesch that he
should not grow discouraged; that his
whole life was before him. The judge
said that he did not believe the boy
was mean at heart; he did not believe
that there was that cold generalization
behind the shooting of O'COnnOr that
is ordinarily manifest in crimes of that
character. Yet the law was plain and
it became his painful duty to see that
its spirit was carried out. The crime
had been committed, despite that evil
dence of a motive was lacking, and
the offender must pay the penalty.
Vermeesch was 'visibly impressed by
the friendly admonitions of the court.
Result of Saloon Row.
Vermeesch last November shot John
O'Connor, of Bloomington. in the sa-
,oon of Leon Callawaert. in East Mo
line. Vermeesch was serving as bar
tender. O'Connor entered the saloon
with three companions. There was a
fight among the four. Vermeesch or
dered that they behave themselves or
leave the saloon. Three did so, but
O'Connor remained to have it ont with
the bartender. A chair was broken
and a cuspidor thrown at the bartend
er by O'Connor. Vermeesch drew his
revolver. as he claimed, to defend him
self O'Connor was shot twice. He
died the following day at the Moline
city hospital.
Divorce Suit is Heard.
Judge Gest this morning heard the
testimony in the suit for divorce of
Florence VS.. Thomas Singleton, in
which desertiOn was the charge The
marriage of the couple took place at
Keokuk, Iowa, four years ago. The
complainant said that her husband
left her without cause two months af-
ter the wedding. G.. w. McCaskrin
was her attorney at the hearing. Two
more divorce cases will be heard to-
morrow morning. Judge e. c. Graves
will be here tomorrow to hear the
Thompson-ROu VS.. Hemenway eject
ment suits. IN which the cd Keator
sawmill property in Moline. is involv-
ed. Tomorrow. likely, will be the
windup of the January term.
Case IL Under Amusement.
At the conclusion of the arguments
in the suit of Anna Catherine Otto
against Laura and August +. Schmid,
in which she seeks annuluent of "A
deed giving her property valued at
$4,000 TO her daughter and the lat
ter's husband. Judge Gest announced
he would reserve his decision.
Sues Interurban Line.
James NJ. COrbin has commenced |
suit in the circuit court. on plea of
trespass. to recover from the Missis-
sippi Valley Traction company, oper- |
ating an interurban line between Mo |
line and WATERFOWL, damages in the |
sum of 81. 500 for the obstruction, with |
its rails. of the highway fronting his
property in Corbin's subdivision. W. |
r. Moore is his attorney.
Last Day of service.
Today is the last day Of service for |
the May term, which viii be convened |
one week from next Monday. Addi- |
tionaI suits filed this afternoon were: |
VIII Palmer VS.. Mississippi Valley /
Traction company. trespass; $4,000 |
Searle & Marshall, attorneys.
Keene w Crockett VS. William /