Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-02-02
liquor Msa Convicted.

The third Of the Indictments against
the liquor men for selling without liz
eense was tried this week and AS in the
other two cases preceding the jury re-
turned verdict Of guilty as charged
in the indictment. The first case tried
an account Of which was given last
week, was that OF the state W. George
Il. III. Baker, proprietor ofthe EoleniaI
Hotel, formerly Valley Hotel. Follow
ing bis trial aud convictien Was that
OF John p. Creque who ran soft
drink place nc bis former saloon on the
corner Of Race street. lie was also con-
vic,ed on Saturday evening BY jury
OF his peers and the trial OF g. A. Wes-
tenhaver, proprietor OF the Royal Cafe
followed this week With the same re-
suit, conviction.
The evidence was simply over
whelming and the jury found no trou-
bic in any Of the cases to agree upon
verdict Of guilty.
The tria of these cases showed that
the Prosecuting Attorney has given
the cases the most thorough prepara-
tion and neglected nothing, even down
to the smallest detail, In working the
cases up for trial. They showed that
he spared no time or expense 10 get
convictions and the defense WAS 90
taken by surprise that they fairly
went to pieces.
The evidence In the three cases was
wondrous revelation to tho public.
The attorneys fer the state carefully
in each case laid down surs and firn
foundation for their case Hnd then
drove home the evidences il 4 Tnasterful
manner.
The state would show BY the recortis
OF the County Court that the aefend-
ant had no state license, ther that the
warrants were regular ana In form.
Then that the place was raIded and
the amount of goods and the kinds
seized how they were kept asa identi-
fed by ofiicers who had handled the
same, the chemist was on hand who
had analysed the samples and teatihed
10 each sample. rhs railroad aecnts
and express agents were called and
presented their books showing the
shipments OF amazing quantities Of
various kinds Of liquors to each Of the
defendants. This completely broke
down all claims Of having stock left
over from their saloon business or of
having ordered same for friends. The
shipments to Westenhavsr, who claim
ed that all the goods found In his place
was left over, was the creates of all the
DEFENDANTS whiskey received by him
ran up into the thousands of pitts to
say nothing of the beer. Last but not
least came witnesses who swore that
they had bought liquor from each OF
the defendants aud someof them uum-
erous times. In each case the govern
ment license and the stock of goods
captured were exhibited before the
jury. In the Creque case the defense
tried to introduce some testimony In
defense but il utterly failed and In the
other two cases the defense offered no
testimony and both cases were submit
ted without argument.
The defendants attorneys on Tues
day after the conviction of Weston
haver threw up the sponge and agreed
that the other cases should be subjected
to the application Of an appeal In the
three cases. already tried, to the Su-
preme court.
The defendants already convicted
have ninety days to get an appeal and
If denied the appeal they will be haul
ed before the court. The fine not to be
less than $50 and not more than 5000
and the jail sentence not less than
two months and not more than six
months. The jail sentence cannot be
lodged and tina. is the cause OF the de-
PENDANTS putting up such a strong
light. Six months in jail is not q
pleasant thing to look forward to.
These cases show that the defend
ants were most pefsistant and defiant.
They have been violating the law in
most shameless manner and deserve
the fullest punishment of tho law.