Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1908-05-28

facts that would Justify verdict that
death was the result of foul play
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The first case that went to the jury
was that of Commonwealth VS.. Sam
uel Snyder and Joseph Kuhns. The
charge was misconduct in. ofRoo.
The defendants are overseers of the
poor of Anthony township, the allega-
tion being that they refused to render
assistance to John Snyder, a resident
of the township, after an order of re-
lief had been issued.
Mrs. John Snyder was the first wit
ness She testified that her husband is
old, blind, i'll and in destitute circum-
stances She swore that she had pro-
cured the order of relief from two
justices Of the peace and delivered it
into the hands Of the overseers of the
poor, who failed to obey said order
and furnish relief to her husband.
Isaac l.. Acor, justice of the peace
OF Anthony township, was the next
witness. 1t was he who September 27,
1907, issued the order Of relief and in
structed Mrs. Snyder how to proceed
further.
John D. Ellis, justice of the peace
of Limestone township was also sworn.
He had merely affixed his signature to
the order of relief "by way of approx
al"
J. j. Ellis and William Ryder, neigh
bors of John Snyder, testified as to the
latter's circumstances and helpless con-
dition.
DR.. o. L. Muffley of Turbotville
was sworn. He testified that he had
been employed by the defendants, ov-
erseers Of the poor, to visit John Sny-
der and administer to him. He made
several visits, but he was not positive as
to the dates. whether they were prior
to or later than September 27, the date
on which the order of relief was issu-
ed. He described Snyder as suffering
from cataraots, in addition to which
he had other troubles, which rendered
him practically helpless.
EVIDENCE STRICKEN OUT.
AT this juncture the case came sum-
marty to a close William Kase West,
attorney for the defendants, moved
that the evidence submitted be stricken
out for the reason that the Common
wealth had failed to do what it offer
ed-to prove that the defendants had
neglected to furnish assistance to John
Snyder, after they had been ordered
to do so by proper order of relief
Mr.. West cited authorities, which
seemed to sustain his contention. The
court explained that the defect lay in
the order of relief issued in John Sny-
der's case, which neglected to adjudic-
ate as to whether or not he was poor
person in destitute circumstances. The
justices who issued the order in the
case on trial directed the overseers of
the poor to furnish relief provided
they found John Snyder to be an i'm
potent person in destitute circumst-
ances.
The court therefore sustained Mr..
Vests motion and informed the jury
that it could not find the defendants
guilty. All that remained for it to do
was to dispose of the costs. In the pre-.
sent instance the judge did not hesit-
ate to say that the case seemed one in
which the costs with propriety might
be put on the county.
A mol pros was allowed in the case
of Commonwealth VS.. George Hoff-
man, the charge being desertion and
non support.
Charles \, Wagner, Curtis Mince-
moyer and James F. Ellis, surveyor,
were appointed viewers in connection
with a petition for bridge in Liberty
township
Report of viewers on bridge on land
of John Smith was confirmed uisi.