Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-03-21
FREEHOLDER BARNHBY
FINED $500 AND COSTS.

William Fl. Barnaby, the former Freehol-
der OF she First Ward OF Woodbury. was
aned 5000 and costs by Judge Jessup last
Friday morning on the charge of illegally
obtaining money from the county while a
pember of the Board OF Freeholders.
The Barnaby case was called for trial at
O'Clock. Barnaby's plea Of not guilty, was
retracted and She plea of non-vult contendre
entered. Prosecutor Starr then moved SEN
tence. State Senator John Boyd Avis,coun-
sci for the defense then said he would like
70 produce evidence as to the character of
the accused.
William H. Barnaby was then sworn and
he said he was Al years old and lived in
North Woodbury.. He said he has wife
and children, sons 13 months and years
cid and daughter 10 years old. He said
shey have no means of support save from
his earnings. He has no savings. On cross
examination is was learned that property
Mt Green and Dare Sts.is in his wife's name
but is mortgaged for 81, 500. He said that
he had not been employed since Jan. |.
Edward T. Miller Of Paulsboro was the
Grst character witness called by Mr.. Avis.
He said that he was formerly member
Of the Board OF Freeholders and for one year
was there associated with Mr.. Barnaby. He
said be always thought that Mr.. Barnaby
was of good character before the present
charges were made and said his reputation
was all right.
Andrew J.Nicholl, Of Jefferson,a member
Of the County Board of Taxation said he
was formerly a member of the Board Of
Freeholders and was associated wish Mr..
Barnaby for 3 or 4 years. He said Mr.. Bar
naby held responsible position in the
Board and he never heard his honesty
questioned.
David 0. Watkins, State Commissioners Of
Banking X Insurance said he had known
Mr.. Barnaby abcut 20 years. Hesaid Mfr.
Barnaby's reputation was always very
good.
Charles Wilson, the sheriff, was next called
He was freeholder for years with Mr..
Barnaby from Woolwich township, and he
said Mr.. Barnaby's honesty was meyer quest
ioned at all.
Lewis Stanger of Glassboro, County Road
Supervisor, and freeholder for 6 years was
associated with Mr.. Barnaby year. He
said Mr.. Barnaby's reputation was always
very good.
Joseph Coombs, citizen Of Woodbury.
had known Mr.. Barnaby many years,and he
said also that Mr. Barnaby's reputation was
always good.
w. Harrison LiYermore, a citizen Of the
First Ward had known Mr.. Barnaby 25 or
80 years and he never heard his honesty
questioned.
Samuel Merchant, citizen Of Woodbury.
for IS years knew Mr.. Baruaby's Is reputation
for honesty was good previous to the pre-
ferring of the present charges
Thos Cunningham, a freeholder from
Deptford Township had known Mr. Barnaby
since he was sohoolboy said that prior to
the preferring OF the charges he knew that
Mr.. Barnaby's honesty was not questioned.
He said that in June 1905 some of the
members OF the Board mentioned that Mr..
Barnaby's bills were pretty large.
Joseph J. Summerill and VIII. Hannold,
farmer Of near Woodbury. both gave Mr..
Barnaby's reputation as always good, prior
to She making Of the charges.
Robert T. Sparks, Francis B. Dayis, Capt.
C. B. Platt, former Deputy Sheriff; Will
lam R. D3pson, City Marshall; John c. DaYis,
a Citizen of Nc Barnaby's ward; Samuel B.
Burkett, City Assessor; William H.Albright
and Frank B. Ridgway, County Clerk, also
testified in substance as did the others.
In his address to the court-the trial was
not before jury-Mr. Avis said in part,
s'This is a serious charge on lengthy in
dictment Of matter that the defendant
cannot explain except that the Defendant
must have forgotten his duty to the state
and county.
"And his plea practically admits the facts
In the Indictment
Here he has witnesses that have demon
strated that the defendant is not an ordin-
ary criminal. This is apparently the first
time be has fallen from grace, in this ex-
sent at least. His reputation for honesty
was never questioned. he was well
thought Of by the people Of the county. He
has held positions of trust.
eUntil the time the charges was made he
was strictly honest in all Of his relations
The only way to account for it is that he
must have gotten into bad company. This
must have contributed to the condition in
which he is TO day.
s'It seems that while this is serious
oifense as looked upon By She legislature
and courts, yet the defendant has fallen
- ~ kt,n frek +fn1a and he wants