The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1907-11-19

Writings that might be benefited. by the
inquiry of the Railroad Commission on
the point of danger.
Court.
At brief session of court, held We'd
nesday afternoon, Judge Horner sentenced
George R. Reed, of Newark, to eight
years in the state prison. This is the man
who was convicted, after second trial, of
atrocious assault and battery with intent
to kill Thomas j. Barrett, of Roebling.
Louis F. Beers, counsel for the prisoner,
made statement in behalf of his client.
Reed had previously pleaded not guilty to
charge of attempting to break jail, but
he changed that plea to one of guilty, and
for this offence sentenced was suspended.
Counsel called attention to the fact that
there was trouble between the two men on
the night of the shooting, and that Bar
| was weak from two attacks of typhoid
fever. Because of this fact Reed armed
himself in case he should again be assault
ed. Counsel said Reed had never been
arrested before. He spent much of his
time at home, and in addition to his fam
| lily he was the sole SUPPORT of his mother
and crippled sister. He paid the expenses
of an operation performed on the latter
recently. His family were in dire cir
cumstances at this time. and they needed
him very much.
Judge Horner, in addressing the pris-
oner, told Reed he had been convicted of
very serious crime. Barrett was to be
congratulated that the bullet detected
| and saved his life. Reed should also feel
glad that he was not before the court for a
more serious crime. The court felt salts
fed there was some provocation but no
| justification In the assault. The prisoner
had fair trial and the jury found there
was no justification.
II believe you are bright young man, .
continued the Judge, ''and realize the
usefulness you might be to society, but
your offence is of such serious nature it
cannot be passed over lightly or con-
sidered lightly by the community. Twill
not impose the full penalty of the law be
cause of your age. and the hope is ex-
pressed that when you regain your liberty,
you will return to society and become a
useful citizen"
When the words of the sentence fell on
the ears of Reed, he reeled and fell back
ward, but two officers prevented him from
going to the floor.
Reed was staggered at the announce
ment of the sentence, as he said he only
expected to get one year. He was eau
toned not to make any reply to the court for
fear that his punishment might be increas-
ed. AS he left the court house Reeds evil
eyes gave piercing glance at Judge Hor-
ner, and it was with difficulty that he made
no utterance. With nippersIon both arms
he was taken back to jail in the custody of
six officers.
The trial of Caleb Rogers, Walter
Simons and Theodore Wells, of Taber-
nacle, who were indicted for manslaughter
in connection with the death of David
Beebe, was begun on Thursday before
Judge Horner.
The crime was committed on the night
of April 81, at Chairville, where dance
was given at the home of Irving Mathis
On the fatal night the defendants and
their victim had been drinking, at Med
| ford. From that place Beebe started for
his home quite early. He had a little
place of his own on the road from Red
Lion to Buddtown. At the time of death
he was 40 years old, and left wife and
| five children.
| Believing there would be sport in break
Ing up the party, the accused men started
out for that purpose, ARRIVING just about
the time when the event came to a close.
Before they came, however, Beebe took
off his coat and said he could whip any
man in Chairville. No one present cared
to dispute his claim, but things were diff
ferent when the men seeking trouble ar
rived.
Because of the bad language used by
the visitors, Mathis saw trouble ahead.
and in company with Benjamin Barnes he
drove to Medford after Constable Peak
On the return trip Beebe was found lying
in the middle of the road dead, but his
body was still warm. ALI the men had
gone. This wasInearlyE2 O'Clock. Under
taker William R. Riley, of Medford, was
notified and in company with Constable
Peak he drove out and brought the body
to his morgue.
From the testimony adduced at the in
quest held by Coroner Seeds, Rogers,
Simons and Wells were held for the crime,
and four others discharged.
1t took two hours to select a jury and
the case started at 1.9O O'Clock.
Prosecutor Atkinson gave brief re
cital of the trouble and said he would
show that fatal blow was given, and
that after Beebe could not get up he was
kicked and beaten.
While assisting to put the body o.
Beebe in a wagon Peak found Beebei
hat under his head, and it was well stain
ed with blood.
The autopsy was performed by DR.
: Haines, of Medford, and DR.. Alexande
Z II. Small, of Riverside. The latter sait
! the general physical condition of Beeb
was perfect. There were several wound
on the body. but they did not contribut
!. to the death. The force of the blow pull
! piied the muscles of the head Practical
ly all the tissues of the brain had been ex
lploded, resulting in hemorrhage and in
slant death. There were no discoloration
: ON the surface resulting from the fatal blow
Hemorrhage was the only cause of death
and this did not result from apoplexy
: The wound was inflicted by blunt in
" strument, similar to what might resul
y from blow with sand bag. Beebe wa
ss fine specimen of the human being q