The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-15
MEN CHARGED
WITH STEALING
Miller Brothers Of Prospect
Are Given a
Trial.
Fac hFound With Lump of
Coal by Hooking Valley
Employees.

Prospect. O., Jan. Wednesday
evening about $3.50 o'clock. conductor
on one of the northbound Hooking
Valley coal trains, reported at the
Prospect station that some one had
been throwing coal from his tuin
The second trick operator, II. A. VIII
cos Immediately reported the matter
TO- the agent, w. f. Flowers, who
called the marshal, Luther smith;
and an investigation soon followed.
w. T.. Flowers. who had been lat
his home when he received the word
went to the Hooking Valley and splrt-
ca down the track in. the direction in
dicatcd by the conductor where the
coal piles lay. When he reached the
place he was surprised to meet
Charles Miller, followed a few spaces
by another party, who later proved
t. be james Miller brother to
| Charles and each was carrying a
large lump of coal, Mr. Flowers was
al first somewhat astounded when he
discovered Charles Miller, who is em-
ployed at II. w. Wolfley's elevator, a
good friend and citizen stealing coal
The Miller brothers addressed Agent
Flowers i'm their same good-natured
and friendly way. They said that
they had heard someone throwing or
coal, while spending the evening to-
gether in tho Chavles Miller home,
tine lot Of which adions the Hooking
Valley railroad. and they went out
endeavopng to identify the male
factors.
Charles Miller complained that part
les had for several weeks been driv-
ing through his field, tearing down
fences and destroying other property
In order TO steal coal
BY this time Marshall Luther Smith
appeared on the scene and thor
ough search was made for the coal
| thieves, who the Miller boys said had
fed across the field upon Their APP
proach. but no trace was found Of
their whereabouts.
The matter for the present was thus
dropped and upon returning to the
! Hooking Valley station, a detective
was summoned from Columbus to
make complete Investigations. De-
tectlve Freeman arrived on the late
passenger train, and spent the night
with operator, c. II. Dix, frequently
| investigating outside. At 4:3O o'clock
| p. m, 1t was discovered by the detec-
tive that one Of the coal piles had
been moved, and was then piled
against the Hooking Valley fence but
back Of Charles Miller's barn. This
seemed TO the Hooking Valley detec-
tive to be evidence enough ana at
day break before Mayor HUFF he
swore out state warrants for the
arrest of Charles ana james Miller,
Tor petit lareency.
The trial was held I'm the mayors
office at $3.50 o'clock, the same even
ing, before Mayor J. L. Hun. Hon.
G Il, Mouser was attorney for the
defendants, and the phintff had no
.attorney.
The only evidence against the MIL
Ter brothers was that each was carry
ing piece OF coal when Agent Flow
ers and Marshall lMuer met them.
Their pleas We're mot guilty" Fur
ther the detective attested that the
tracks around the coal piles in the
snow were exactly like those that
went into the miller property, And
after thorough examination OF the
witnesses Attorney Mouser made his
pleas for the defendants.
In making his decision Mayor aum
said that the Miller brothers were
found guilty Of petit lareeney for each
having n lump of coal in his possess
sion. but as the evidence against them
was so poor and the crime so small
and customary, they We're declared
free. both OF fine and cost
At the Reformed church, west Of
Green Camp, Wednesday evening,
Jan. 81 the singing class which has
been under the admirable training Of
Prof. j. NJ Cast, Of Prospect, since
last Glll gave concert to large
audience that was artistic ana thor
onghly enjoyable
The partnership heretofore existing
between q. G. Rutter and John II.
Merchant, insurance and real estate
has been mutunlly dissolved. Mr.