The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1913-01-14
Court.


on Tuesday. to convict Aaron B. Bell and
Hannah Bell. colored. of Mount Laurel.
They were charged with receiving stolen
goods. These defendants came up for
sentence at Wednesdays session Of court
Their counsel, v. Claude Palmer, said he
was willing to stake his reputation. If he
had transcript of the case, that he could
secure a reversal of the judgment In the
higher courts He thought leniency
should be shown, as Mrs. Bell had no
knowledge that the goods were stolen
IF she is punished 1t will result In the
abandonment of her seven children. who
must be cared for by others. There was
not sufficient evidence for the case going
to the jury, as far as the wife was con-
cerned. The testimony was one to raise a
reasonable doubt, and as there was de-
sire for revenge in the case, ask that SEN
tence be suspended"
Prosecutor Atkinson replied that there
was plenty of evidence to secure convic-
ton.
The court ordered that the woman must
pay the cost of prosecution, and her hus-
band was fined $50.
Griffith Rash and Matte Scott, of Riv-
erside, indicted for adultery and perjury
pleaded guilty of the former and were
convicted of the latter, which was the out
come to their swearing to affidavits as
man and wife. On the perjury case sen
tence was suspended, but on the other
they were sentenced to serve from one to
three years in state prison.
Sentence was then passed upon Alfred
Powell, of Juliustown, convicted of
assaulting Joseph Stackhouse.
In behalf of Powell, his counsel, Harold
B. Wells, presented petition to the
court for clemency, signed by one hun
bred and fifty citizens.
Mr.. Wells said he had talked with some
of the jurymen who rendered verdict of
guilty, and they were not satisfied with
the outcome of the case. The signers on
the petition stated that they would stand
responsible for the defendant. IF there
ever was a case where the probation
system was good thing, this is one of
them, and by exercising that right, think
the court will be the means of making
man out of Powell He is poor man
and can't pay fine"
Prosecutor Atkinson said he understood
that Powell prides himself as fighting
man, and that he has made threats in this
case
Judge Horner said the defendant COM
mitted an unprovoked assault. The court
was inclined to the opinion held by the
prosecutor that Powell travelled on his
muscle Gas this Is his first conviction,
and as his wife has a small child, l am
rather inclined to accept Mr.. Wells state
ment and take limited chance on you
You must start in today to be home
man and keep away from other women.
If you don't you will be called back and
sent to prison. There must be no threats,
no invitation to come out to see who is
the best man. Otherwise you will be dealt
with severlY. Sentence is suspended, you
are placed on probation and have six
months in which to pay the COSTS
Miss Ella Woolston, of Mount Holly
avenue, has the bringing up of two chill
dren belonging to her niece, Clara whose
husband, James Riggeal, does not live
with her. He agreed to pay their board
at four dollars per week. The fathers
payments began to fall of nearly
a year ago, and the board of $11S
having accumulated, suit was brought to
recover the amount. Prosecutor -Atkin
son said that Riggeal Is a carpenter and
that he has shown great Indifference in
the matter.
Robert Peacock said Riggeal had been
out OF work for long time and had no
money to send for the children's board.
The defendant has a wealthy brother liv-
ing at Ortanna, Pa, who will become re-
sponsible for the debt owing to Miss
Woolston, there being no desire that she
lose the money. The brother will come
to Mount Holly, and it Is expected that
The next case was full of ginger, being
a trial of the indictment for forgery found
against John Eagan, of Chester township.
He purchased some stock from Amos K.
Dubell, of Columbus, amounting to near
ly $4OO. He gave a note for 1926. which
debt was subsequently renewed with an
other note for $175. These notes were
signed by Eagan and endorsed by Michael
Heavers. Finally there was renewal
for $3.50, this note being signed by Eagan
and James Leavery, who occupies the
Atkinson farm on WOODLAND road.
William Dubell, who acts as clerk for
his father, testified that he could identify
the handwriting of Eagan through notes
and correspondence which he had handled,
and which were offered In evidence
Michael Heavers, an Ellisburg farmer,
and brother-in-law to Eagan. denied sign
ing the notes and stated that he did not
authorize any one to sign for him. He
also asserted that he did not know that his
name was on any note until he had heard
from Mr.. Dubell.
The contention of the defence was that
the wives of the two men signed the notes.
and Mrs. Leavery admitted that she did.
Mr.. Peacock had all the witnesses in the
case write their signatures In ink, and
these specimens of handwriting were sub
mitted to the jury.
Counsel for the defence was quite
eloquent in his summing up. The jury
rendered a verdict that Eagan was not
guilty of forgery.
Theatres.