Evening journal., 1913-12-23
HORSE SWAP
CASE GOES TO
GRAND JURY
Edward Thompson, Held In
Bail TO Explain Exchange Of
Mules for Horses
JUDGE FELT THAT
LAW WAS VIOLATED

In holding Edward Thompson, of
No. 2307 West Second Street, under
$500 bail for the upper court this
morning, Judge Churchman said that
he was satisfied that crime had
been committed. Whether It was
that of larceny OF just cheating, he
would let the Attorney General as
certain. he said. Thompson was
charged by Mrs. John w. Biddle, Of
Wooddale, with the larceny of a bay
stallion, while her father--in-law.
John X. Biddle, Of Hartley, charged
Thompson with the larceny OF a
horse. The testimony heard In City
Court today showed that Thompson
had swapped two mules he bought for
s28 with John w. Biddle for the two
bay horses, which we're valued al
$500. Biddle drove the horses to this
city last Friday.
When the case was called today, j.
I Frank Ball represented Thompson.
Mrs. Biddle was the FIRST witness, and
related how her husband came home
with a pair OF mules about 1.3O
O'Clock last Saturday morning in a
dazed condition. After several hours
she revived him enough to drive back
to this city with the mules, which
Biddle did not know how he got Mrs
Biddle said that when they reached
the city limits they allowed the mules
q go for themselves, and they went
direct TO Thompson's stable at Front
and Hawley streets.
Thompson was coming from his
home at the time, and Mrs. Biddle
said she asked him to give her the
horses, as they we're not owned by
Biddle. Thompson replied that tn
animals we're IN Jersey. Mrs. Biddl
then complained to the police ant
later that day she saw Thompson
driving one OF the horses, she said.
While Mr.. Ball was examining Mr.
Biddle. she looked at Philip J.. Garrett
her attorney, and Mr.. Ball stopped he
saying: Don't look at Mr.. Garret
look at me. ] don't wish him to dire,
your answers"
John X. Biddle, the aged father
John W. Biddle, was called and sa
that one of the horses Thompson hi
was his and he had not given his 81
permission to sell or trade il
4 John w. Biddle, who Thompson
4 legged had snapped horses for mu
+ with him, was called aud said a
8 while in King street (which he call
French street,, he met Thompson a.
they had a drink together. Later
went with Thompson to Front and Xii
streets, where Biddle's team was stan
ing and they took the two teams
Biddle and Thompson to the latter
stable. Biddle said he had two glass
of beer before he met Thompson an
two drinks of whiskey later. He d
not remember what he did after gettir
the last drink.
William Maxwell said he was preser
when the mules were bought for S2S b
. Thompson. and he also placed value O
the two horses in question at Sl25 {
1925 each.
George kopp, who was in the polio
station last Saturday when Thompso
was brought in, repeated a statemen
Thompson made at that time. Thi
! was when Mrs. Biddle was talking {
the defendant. Thompson, he said, Of
fered the horses to Mrs. Biddle at tn
time for 1925 and after she left the d,
fendant said he would not let her hay
them for $1,000 and if she was going
fight he would, too.
: In his own behalf, Thompson sal
he met Biddle, who wanted to swa
teams, and at that time Biddle wa
sober After driving around fC
some time they went to Thompson
stable where the exchange was mao
and Biddle received fifteen dollars
| boot Thompson said he valued Il
mules at $40.
Under cross examination ThompsC
said his brother did not give hi
SIS and tell him to go get Biddle
I The money, the defendant said. hi
y been paid in a saloon at Fifth al
r Dupont streets after Biddle had see
o the mules.
e Eugene Thompson,a brother, W
n called and told of Biddle going To 4
: stable after the mules. He admit
giving the money to his brother al
telling him to get Biddle. This co
versation was repeated by Thorn
= son later to Mr.. Maxwell who al
said that Eugene Thompson had to
him he did not care for Biddle, b
he felt sorry for Mrs. Biddle.
II After hearing these witness
% Judge Churchman held Thomps
:. under $500 bail for the upper cou