The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-10-25
ZEMP ACQUITTED IN
FEDERAL COURT.
Jury Returns Verdict Without Leav-
ing Box in Case of Man Accused of
Using Mail Improperly-Judge
Finds No Grounds for Case.

Greenville, Oct. 21.-Frank l..
Zemp, Jr., of Spartanburg, was ac-
quilted late today in federal court
having been tried on charge of
using the mail in an alleged attempt
to blackmail Mrs. E. G. Cash, a
wealthy widow of Sartanburg. 1t
was alleged that Zemp devised GER
tain scheme to defraud Mrs. Cash of
$3.50. The play was in the form of a
blackhand letter, which demanded
that Mrs. Cash place the money in a
cigarette box that had been placed on
the sidewalk in front of her home.
A dozen or more witnesses testified
in the case, including the two officers
who arrested Zemp in the act of pick
ing up the box. The evidence in the
case, however, was not strong enough
for conviction and after the judges
charge the jury reached verdict of
acquittal without leaving the box.
After the prosecution announced its
testimony all in, Judge Rose made the
statement to the lawyers that if their
case was based upon the evidence ad-
duced, he saw no grounds for case.
Turning to the jury, he asked: "Gen-
tlemen, have you all made up your
minds?" And upon being answered
in the affirmative, he said, "prepare
your verdict" The verdict of acquit-
tai was given without the jurors leav-
ing the box
Novel Experience.
The present term of federal court
has been novel experience for at
least one man-and that man is the
presiding judge, John C. Rose, of
Maryland. This astute jurist for the
first time has had the experience of
trying "moonshine" cases, and it is
safe to say that many of these cases
at this term have been rich in un-
usually dramatic and human interest
aspects.
For instance, Saturday, while the
jury was celebrating on the case of
Babe Durham, a noted blockader
from the Dark Corner, that worthy
took French leave of the courtroom,
necessitating the issuance by, Judge
Rose of a bench warrant for his ap-
prehension. The old man could not
be found, but phoned his attorney
late in the day that he had been call
ed away on little "bizness." The
real truth of the matter was that the
mountaineer feared verdict of gull
ty and was not willing to take his
medicine. His sentence will hang over
till next term.
Another case of unusual interest
was that of several Oconee men tried
for infringement of revenue laws.
They wers guilty only technically and
the judge was quite lenient in his
sentence, giving each fine of 81 and
day in Jail. He allowed the men to
remain in court and serve their sem
tence in custody of a marshall.
Much Of the evidence in these
moonshine cases appealed to the SYM
pathy of Judge Rose, while still a
greater portion of it visibly affected
his risibles.
Mercy Often Shown.
Federal judges sitting here have
frequently shown great mercy to men
convicted of offenses against the gov
ernment. For instance, if man is
convicted in the spring and given a
Jail sentence, the judge will allow the
man to go and finish his crop-if
ne has one-and begin serving his
sentence after hiAcrop has been "Iaid
BY" If man is convicted at the fall
term of court the Judge allows him
to go home and gather his crops, and
then come and serve his sentence in
the winter months when work on the
farm is slack