The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-12-07
Court.

court
There was slight dramatic touch In
the criminal proceedings at court on
Thursday, when John Ellsworth. of
Philadelphia, was sentenced for the rob-
berry which he committed at the home
of Schuyler Rainier, near Florence,
on November 5. Quite crowd of spec
tators was present.
While giving.a description of the circun-
stances connected with this case, Prosecutor
Atkinson referred to the fact that Els
worth had once before been confined to
the Burlington county jail for a robbery
which he committed at Medford, and also
that while breaking open the Rainier safe,
he inundated Jane Nixon, the aged
housekeeper, who was locked in a room.
Reference was also made to the fact that
the prisoner had saved expense by plead
ing guilty and had returned 81 800 of the
stolen money.
MAY speak 2" the prisoner asked, as
he was commanded to stand up.
Certainly" replied the court.
Ellsworth spoke at length, giving pow
erty as his plea for committing this crime,
In which he said he had no accomplice.
He said that when liberated from jail last
January, Samuel K. Gaskill, the turnkey,
gave him dollar, which was all the money
he had 1t was hard struggle to get
along. His family was in want and he
had to depend on the soup houses and
charity. "why, Judge" remarked the
prisoner, 81 was that poor hadn't had a
pound of butter In the house for year.
1t was little bit more than could stand.
While was confined in jail, learned all
about Rainier, and l decided to try and
get little of his money. l went to
Florence In the daytime so l wouldn't be
tempted to harm anyone. l committed
the robbery for the love of my family.
never had a moments peace until / was
arrested in Chicago. came back here
willingly, and Detective Parker did not
ask me to confess.
There is no pleasure 10 living, even II
you have $4,000 in your pocket, when you
know that human bloodhounds of the law
are on your track. was glad when was
arrested. Since the commission of this
/ crime have friend who will give me
employment when liberated and help me
in nv efforts to redeem myself. Schuyler
Rainier has forgiven me. have made al
possible restitution, and every one seemi
to be satisfied excepting the laws of thu
state. and my sentence leave to thu
court"
4 In reply Judge Homer said the plea o
poverty was touching, but 1t was nj
excuse for crime. A light sentence hsC
, been imposed for the Medford robbery
because of uncertainty regarding some o
the particulars of the case. In this Grim
the prisoner was caught red-handed. Tn
court also reminded the prisoner that a
that time he was well supplied with none.
| lawyer. Reference was made to the de
Iiberately planned robbery at Florence
! which place Ellsworth visited three times
! The intimidation of Jane Nixon was ais
much against the plea made for clemency
!, lbut the plea of guilty and restoration Of
portion of the money was to be taken int
\ consideration.
Ellsworth, although he shed tears Will
: talking, showed not the slightest emotio
when sentenced to the state prison for tiv
years. He got more than he expected
!, however. After returning to jail ELL
a worth was Joined by his wife and children
L He told Sheriff Worrell that he vi