The Dickinson press., 1911-09-23
BANCROFT Z ] J I !l'''||'... ).
IS GUILTY
jury Returns Verdict in Second
Degree for the. Barber. Sen
tence Sept. 2S. Dodd and
Weller Bonds Forfeited.

At midnight on Tuesday the jury in
the Leroy H. Bancroft case returned a
verdict of guilty in the second degree
with the recommendation that the court
be as lienient as possible. As Judge
W. c. Crawford had to 90 to Mandan
on the early train Wednesday, the time
Of passing sentence was set for Septem-
Der 2S. .t...-..-..
The sentence for criminal offenses of
this kind in the second degree is not
less than one year in the penitentiary
and not more than fifteen years. ana it
would not be surprising if Bancroft got
a pretty strong sentence, as it is gener-
ally considered that his story on the
stand was ridiculous in several particul-
ans, while the young lady made a
straightforward statement and did not
relate anything that reasonable per-
son could not believe. This is an
ofense that should be dealt with seri-
ously.
1t is understood that one juror stood
out fol acquittal for some time, other
wise the verdict would have
been returned soon after supper, the jury
going out a little before this meal hour.
The Bancroft offense was committed
Sunday evening, May Fl, and he was
arrested and placed in Jail that night.
Miss Maude Paddock. waitress at a
local restaurant, was the complaining
witness. The preliminary hearing came
up before Police Magistrate Nichols on
May 26. Miss Paddock told how she
went out riding with Bancroft, not
knowing that he was living as mar
ried man in Dickinson, and how he mis-
used her. There were bruises on her
body and the medical examination
corroborated her statements.
. 81. Bancroft waived examination and was
! placed under So. 500 bonds. He made
L no attempt to get bail and was re-
I. moved to the Burleieh county Jail fol
safe keeping where he remained until
the middle of last week. when he was
brought back to Dickinson.
On the witness stand this week Ban.
croft referred to the woman he had been
living with in Dickinson as his. com
mon law wife. AS already stated, he
made a poor witness for himself and
particularly when he came to the
.whirlwind'' part Of his story. +
It is supposed that Bancroft's parents
reside at DeSmet. South Dakota, where
their only son is said to have been in q
ocrape much like this one some year,
ago: the girl. an ignorant domestic,
subsequently getting divorce; Ban
croft did not support as legally bound t
do, it: is said, and was jailed for 6
time.
The witnesses called by the state fol
the Dickinson trial were: Miss Maude
Paddock of Wadena, Minn., Mrs. Petel
Brown OF this city. at'whose house thu
complaining witness roomed. Mrs. Johr
Hutchmacher, Sheriff J. A. WEIGH ant
Police Magistrate H. K. Nichols.
States Attorney Murtha was assisted
by Attorney W. f. Burnett, while Attor
ney H. C. Berry, for defendant, wal
assisted by City Attorney H. A. Burge
son.
The jurors were: Julius Williams
foreman. John Engelbretson, H. E
Davis, John Lunn, W. II. Erickson, c
w. Palmer, 1. A. Nelson. Frank Hicks
Oscar Siminsqn, Ed. Ehrle. Fred Atten
berg and j. c. Mullaney. h
Bancroft will be securely guarded at th'
local jail until after sentence is passes
next Thursday. He does not have any
thing in particular to say. except tina
he is getting about what he expected
The new citizens made since our las
issue are: Louis E. Sandvik, Han Eng
sebik, Paul Eberts and Ole Mass.
Julius Kubuista, found guilty by
jury for violating the prohibition law
was given q jail sentence Of 120 day
and fined 500 and costs. 5ft-.s q
Il In the Adam J. Weller and J. 8
Dodd cases. both from Richardton, de
PENDANTS did not appear in court ant
their bonds of ST., 600 each were declares
forfeited to Stark county. R. Gress an
& Adam Weller II arcs on the bond Of th