Smyrna times., 1910-03-09
DR., RYAN CONFESSES GUILT
AND SENT TO WORKHOUSE
SUDDEN TERMINATION OF HIS
TRIAL FOR LIQUOR SELLING
Receives a Sentence of Five Months
Imprisonment and Fine of 500
and Costs, at Court Friday.

DIR. William L. Ryan, Smyrna
well-known veterinarian brought an
end to his trial in Kent County Court
last Friday by pleading guilty in the
"Nat'' Cooper case and was SEN
fenced to five months Imprisonment
and fine of $1OO and costs of prose-
cution. The plea was changed from
"not guilty" to guilty" after an
agreement had been reached between
his lawyers and the Duck Creek Law
and Order Society that the long
string of other indictments should
be nolle pressed. DR.. Ryan was
taken to Greenbank Workhouse Sat-
urday along with other prisoners to
begin to serve out his sentence. The
news of the verdict reached Smyrna
by phone and in advance of the
throng of witnesses and spectators
who had gone to Dover to watch the
progress of the fight. The general
opinion is that DR.. Ryan made
most excellent deal and 'gOt off
easy" Members of the Law and
Order Society seemed satisfied under
the circumstances for after all they
were fighting to make an example OF
the case and to break up the illict
liquor selling in Smyrna and vicinity.
Court had refused to hold session
Saturday and the judges were due to
open court at Wilmington Monday.
No more cases against DR.. Ryan
could have been tried at this term
and it meant to bring DR.. Ryan back
from the workhouse and try him
again after he had already begun to
serve sentence. The termination
of the trial however was rather sud-
den and unexpected. The accused
veterinarian put up a plucky fight
and declared all along his innocence.
Bottom Suddenly Fell Out of Case
The hottom fell out of his case,
however, when, after prominent cit
izens of Smyrna had impeached his
credibility as a witness, six witnes
ses were called by the defence t.
swear to Dr. Ryan's good reputation.
The first witness, Joseph c. Robin
son, answered General Kenney's s
question of "Js his reputation gooC
or bad?" by the sentence: "No
very good" and then the other five
were told to go sit down. Waite
H. Hayes, of counsel for Dr.. Ryan
took his hat and walked out of tn,
court room. Former Senator R. R
Keaney walked over to his client ant
there was a hurried consultation
Meantime Deputy Attorney Genera
Wolcott consulted members of tn
Law and Order Society and promi
nent citizens of Smyrna. The
there was a very unusual procedure
Bailiffs were sent for the jury in re
tirement, baloting as to the guilt 0
innocence of DR.. Ryan. The jur
in the box in the second case wa
told to step down. Genera Kenne
asked that his client be permitted t
change his plea from not guilty
"guilty," asking moderation in tn
sentence. Judge Boyce sentence
Ryan to five months imprisonmel
and S10O fine.
Thursdays Case and the TestimoI
When the case which had bee
postponed from last Court was take
up Thursday morning an efforC WI
made to have them continued on a
count of material witness. This Il
Court refused and the Mt. Friendsh
case was called. W. d. Collins
Smyrna, testified that DR.. Ryan,
a conversation with him at his stab
in Smyrna, asked him to come
court and say that on the first Su
day in August, when Ryan is alleg
to have sold liquor, he had been
the campmeeting with Ryan; tn
they were together all day and car
home together. Mr.. Collins said
was at the campmmeeting on t
Sunday in question but did not s
Ryan there. John Johns, colore
testified that he was at the cam
meeting, that he saw Ryan there a
also saw three or four bottles
whisky in Ryan's buggy. Wi
Collins testimony the State rest
its case. R. R. Kenney for I
defence, in his address to the jul
said they would produce evidence
sh w that while DR.. Ryan was at
campmeeting at the time stated,
did not at any time sell any into
eating liquors. Miss Bertha Wa
tested that she was at the car
meeting on the Sunday in quest
and saw DR.. Ryan practically all
time, but did not see him at
CONTINUED ON FIFTH PAGE