The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-10-24

for murder in the first degree for KILN
| Giuseppe Mattero di Giavano, whic
crime occurred on the farm Of James n
Stokes. on August 26, ended on Tuesda
after noon, and at 8 80 that evening til
Jury returned with a verdict of murder il
the second degree. The court considers
the jury's recommendation for mercy an
i'm posed a sentence Of twenty years
state prison, the maximum sentence beinl
thirty years
Criminal matters predominatedat Thurs
days session of court.
George g. Higgins, who was under bal
to appear in court at that time, was in
dicted on charge Of rape, preferred b
Viola Falls. of Cookstown. Through hi
counsel, Robert Peacock, the defendan
entered plea of not guilty. The gin
was former inmate of the New Jerse,
Home for Children. At the request o
counsel the court granted an order that tn
complainant be examined by physician
for the benefit of the defence The cas-
was set down for trial tomorrow. Hug
gins was released after renewing his bal
In the sum of $1,000.
The case of Elvin E. Norcross, of Noun
Holly, next engaged the attention of the
court. The young man pleaded guilty tt
taking Joy rides without permission in the
automobile of Victor Haines, of RidgwaJ
street, which resulted In the car being
ditched and damaged to the extent OF
about $75. Norcross had been previously
arrested for the same offence by Haines,
who seemed somewhat reluctant to
prosecute the young man. Mr.. Haines
said he had nothing against Norcross and
was willing to do all he could to help him
Robert Peacock. counsel for Norcross
said his client had been working on the
automobile at Harry Norcross' blacksmith
shop on Water street. The young man
thought he had right to take the car and
use it as he had done on other occasions.
A friend who had been drinking with him
and who promised to buy the gasoline,
ETC., persuaded Norcross to take a joy
ride. They went out at night and dam
aged the car. Norcross had promised to
repair the damage and pay the costs of
prosecution.
Prosecutor Atkinson said the facts as
testified to before the grand jury were
that Haines had given the blacksmith a
a written order that the car was not to go
out without his permission. The COM
plant against Norcross was made by
Anderson Shinn, inspector of motor
cycles. Norcross at one time was employ
ed at the Mount Holly Garage, where he
had taken cars without permission.
Anderson 6hinn said that he had moth
ing personal against Norcross, but II notice
was not taken of such cases, the authori-
ties would be unable to protect owners Of
automobiles.
Squire Risdon was sent for aud by him
it was shown that Norcross had taken
car from the garage, which was returned
in good condition. The defendant was
discharged and no fine was imposed.
An officer was also sent out to hunt up
Mr.. Haines. He said he had made com.
plant against Norcross for taking his car
without permission, and had given
instructions that the auto should not be
taken out Witness said he employed
Norcross to repair the car. The latter
had permission to sell the automobile, but
was only allowed to use 1t for demonstrate
Ing purposes when he had customer.
In addressing Norcross, Judge Horner
said: ut is just as serious proposition
to look upon drunken man running an
automobile as man shooting a revolver.
You have violated several laws which
entities you to serve nine years In state
prison. People agree that you are a good
mechanic when sober, but devil incar-
nate and absolutely regardless OF the
rights of others when drunk. In putting
you out of the way the court will be per-
forming public service in protecting the
lives of people on the public highways.
1t Is appalling to me to have drunken
man running an automobile In the public
streets at night. Iwould just as soon run
up against man with revolver"
''The State wants to stop these Joy
riders. want to sentence you to the least
possible time that will effect your refor-
nation. A drunken engineer on pas
senger train is scarcely less amenable to
the law than drunken driver of an auto
mobile. To accomplish your reformation
the sentence will not be as severe as the
law provides, but don't appear In this
court again on a similar charge"
Norcross was then sentenced to three
months in the county jail.
The case against John Cavanaugh, OF
Mount Holly, was the next to be called.
The young man pleaded guilty to break
ing into with intent and entering the barn
of John Wolfsberg on Pine street, crime
he Is alleged to have committed on other
occasions, on one of which he struck and
knocked Mr.. Wolfsburg down. but there
was no complaint made of this.
James Mercer Davis, who represented
the defendant, said his client was drunk
and did not know how he got into the
barn, where he was arrested by officers
the next morning. The intent was not
present in his mind when he entered the
barn. Counsel suggested as a solution of
the matter that Cavanaugh be given q
short term In the county jail and then be
compelled to leave the community In or
der to get rid of his old associations. If
this was not satisfactory, then send him
to the state reformatory. where he could
be taught lessons on certain subjects
which his condition seem to need.
In passing sentence on the prisoner
Judge Horner said: II am very sorry for
your family, as you have respectable
parents, brothers and sisters. When you
were In this court before made mistake
in not committing you to the reformatory
You have violated your promise to lie
liquor alone and reform, and there is only
one thing tosdo now. / think what your
counsel has said is true, that you be taken
from your associates"
There was a dramatic scene when
Cavanaugh was sentenced to serve fifteen
months In the state prison, his sister
being affected to the point of hysteria.
Several civil cases were heard by Judge
Horner yesterday.
The first was that OF Albert w. Dresser
against Samuel r. Gilbert, and was for
commission on the sale of defendants
farm. Gilbert placed his farm with Dres
ser to sell, and signed contract to pay a
commission of 800; also to give Dresser
thirty days written notice If the farm was
to be taken out of the agents hands
After Dresser had advertised the farm,
Gilbert sold 1t himself and refused to pay
any commission.
The jury rendered a verdict in favor of
nraoaar for ann aud fnfaroat