Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-04-03

Had we followed the policy of
jumping on every man or woman
whom we have known to have done
wrong since coming to Thornton there
would not now be SO many people here
to howl their heads off at us when
our day of tribulation comes, as the
ioudest mouthed ones in this neighbor-
hood now are those who have the most
real reason for hanging their own
neads, and consequently we feel justi-
ned In varying our usual rule, to pay
our respects to few of these.
IN relation to this charge brought
against us. we wish to say that our
sentiments in regard to such a revolt
ing crime are that the perpetrators, If
proven guilty beyond a doubt. should
be hung.
But on the other hand, man ac-
cused of such crime is just as much
entitled to the privilege of seeing a
lawyer and having a chance of estab-
llsh1ng his innocense, as had the
corpulent sleuth who was active in
working up this charge against us
when he himself stood accused Of the
crime of horse stealing, less than a
year ago. on which occasion this news
paper took his part as citizen of the
town.
1T is one thing for a bunch Of eX-
cited people, including threatening pa
rents, to 1ntimidate Maynard girl in
to bringing such a charge against an
other person or persons and altogether
another matter to show that the action
has not been instituted for spite or
revenge.
In regard to the hearing held be-
fore Justice Rankins at Mason City on
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday OF
last week, and which resulted In the
defendants being bound over on a
minor charge only, we will simply say
that the result was brought about al
most solely on the testimony Of the
complaining witness who in the very
finish of her testimony admitted that
she did not understand the nature and
significance of an oath or the meaning
and import Of the word perjury" and
whose denials in cross examination
had suggested the testing of her on
this line, and If the case ever gets as
far as the district court there is a
beautiful chance that some people may
md themselves in very deep hole as
result Of the manner in which this
witness had been Coached
"A fair sample of this reckless testi-
flying on the part of the prosecuting
witness is her evidence that Miss Cora
Hemming called the boy up by phone
at the printing office, from the central
office and told him Lora was ready to
come to the printing office now and
for him to come to the bank corner
and meet her. Miss Hemming took the
stand and fatty contradicted this
statement and swore it was Lora' S
own sister who talked to him after
having Mrs. Londergan ring him up
for her.
THE defendants did not make any
effort to prove innocence at this pre-
lfminary hearing. but simply confined
their efforts to weakening the case of
the state, for the reason that it was
unwise to show their defense ahead of
a grand jury investigation, which
would be sure to come anyhow, wheth-
er the defendants were held under
bond by the justice Or not. Another
reason is the fact that while the de-
PENDANTS have been advertised broad
cast through the daily press by reck-
less correspondents as fends, incarnate
not entitled to any benefit of a doubt,
we are at the same time reluctant to
draw the names of any more Of our
citizens into the affair, in any manner
whatever than is absolutely necessary
If the grand jury does not find in
dictments the public will know there
is nothing in it." If it does, we are
prepared to prove that no crime has
been committed. by even the boy,
greater than possible dlsorderly con-
duct.
"As to any statement in regard to
make until the right time Is at hand