The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-01-25
IN THE DISTRICT COURT
G. j. Norman is Found Guilty OF
Stealing Chicksns--Boyer Case
Settled by a Fine.

The district court has been decidedly
busy since last week, nearly all Of the
time being occupied with the trial Of
G. j. Norman, indicted for stealing
chickens. The case was commenced on
Wednesday of last week. and when it
was started it was thought it could be
tried in Il couple of days, but it devel-
sped into one of the hardest fought
cases ever tried in Decatur county,
and it was not finished until Tuesday
evening. The state was represented by
county attorney Kelley, Geo. w. Baker
and A. p. Olson, and Mr.. Norman was
defended by G. w. Hoffman, V. r. Nc
Ginnis and Marion Woodard. More
than q hundred witnesses were used
during the trial and the evidence was
conflicting. The case was tried before
jury composed of M. f. Thompson,
q. G. John, Geo. Wylie, J. w. Metz,
Prank Gammill, S. Nj. Grayson, Elba
Shoemaker, B. w. Brook, w. A. Huffman,
j. r. Conrey, w. ]. Chandler, and F. L..
Lorey, and the attorneys throughout
the case contested every inch of the
way, and it was not until o'clock Tues
day evening that the case was given to
the jury. They returned verdict of
guilty in less than two hours after
going out. 1t is reported that the first
ballot stood six for conviction and six
t+nI ofE
man asked for time until Saturday
morning to file motion for new trial,
and if it is refused the case will be ap-
pealed to the supreme court. The case
has been an expensive one, and the
total costs will exceed 81 800, including
all tho costs of the jurors and other
court expenses.
Wednesday morning when the court
was ready to commence the trial Of the
case against G. P. Boyer jr., charged
with assault with intent to commit rape,
being permitted to plead guilty to as
sault and battery, and Judge Evans
Imposed fine of s1OO and costs, the
total being $39O.4O. In passing sentence
ON Boyer Judge Evans told him he
thought he would have stood a good
chance of being convicted Of the higher
charge and would have received peni-
tentiary sentence, but as the attorneys
had agreed to settlement without
trial he imposed the highest fine he
could give him.
Judge Evans also decided yesterday
morning the appeal case of Marion
Woodland vs.. the Leon Board Of Equali-
zation, in which the board had raised
the assessment on his residence from
q 800 to S2,l4S, the court holding the
hoard had made an unjust assessment
against Mr.. Woodland and found that his
Nroperty was assessed about 20 per
esnt higher than other property, and
ordered it reduced to tho original as
sessment.
Il. Il. Taylor, farmer from near
Weldon, was before the court to answer
to the charge of being an inebriate, and
Judge Evans ordered him confined at
the hospital at Knoxville for one year,
hut suspended the sentence so long as
Mr.. Taylor refrains from the use of in
toKicating liquors.
The grand jury finished their duties
Saturday and were discharged, not a
single Indictment being returned. The
trial jury were also discharged for the
term Wednesday morning, but court will
he in session for some days yet.
The following cases have been dis
posed Of:
PROBATE.
Guardianship of Howard G. and Fred
Cnlver, final report approved, guardian
discharged.
Estate of L. D. Shaffner, final report
approved, administrator discharged.
Estate of Mary Shaffner, final report
approved, executor discharged.
Estate of j. W. Rains, final report ap-
proved, administrator discharged.
Estate of John Slaughter, final report
approved, administrator discharged.
Estate of Marie e. Ronat, final report
approved, administrator discharged.
Estate of f. M. Baker, order for pay
aent of claims
Estate of L. H. Northrup, report of
distribution and final report approved,
executor discharged.
Will of Isaac Cation probated, Matilda
Jane Cation appointed executor with
emit bond.
Estate of W. c. Wheeler, widow al
lowed $500 for support for first year.
Estate of Alice c. Beach. On hearing
to- the court it was found that the
property disposed Of by the will Of Mrs.
Beach was in fact the property OF her
husband, Stephen Beach, and that she
swned no property which she could will
and decree signed by the court order
iag the will not probated and the prop
epty tn ha furnad ovap to W Cbax~