The log cabin Democrat., 1914-01-15
BROOKS FREE OF
 MURDER CHARGE JURY WAS OUT 6 HOURS DOCKET CLEARED OF NUMBER OUS MINOR, CIVIL AND GRIM
 NAL CASES.

Hltef SIX hours dellDeratlon, the jury at 9 o'clock last night returned verdict of acquittal in the case of the state against Rule Brooks, charg- ed with murder in the second degree for the killing of c. w. Ellis near Cato in September, 1912. It is stated that the first ballot of the jury stood seven for acquittal and five for con- vction of manslaughter, the five be- ing divided among themselves as to the amount of punishment. It was thought for some hours that the jurv was hopelessly divided, but by g o'clock the members holding out for conviction came over and the verdict of not guilty was immediately re- turned.
 With the murder trial, the principal case of the term, out of the way, the court has been rapidly disposing of the minor civil and criminal cases on the docket and it is believed the ses- sion will end with the present week.
 On account of illness in his family, J. w. Sowell was excused as a grand Juror this afternoon and R. w. Shaw was sworn in to serve in his place. Three indictments, two for felonies and one for a misdemeanor. were re- turned by the grand jury this morn ing.
 One of the true bills was against Henry Harris, a negro boy who has been in jail for several weeks on charge of stealing a shotgun from E. l.. Hinton in this city. When Harris came before the court to enter a plea of guilty this afternoon, Col G. w. Bruce informed the court that he had heard the evidence at the examining trial and did not believe Harris was guilty of larceny. After questioning the negro Judge Lankford asked Col. Bruce if he would sign a bond for S$100 if the case were ordered con- tinued and he agreed to do so.
 F. M. Chalmers, indicted Tuesday on charges of grand larceny and as- sault with intent to kill. entered a plea of guilty to the latter charge this morning and was sentenced to serve one year in the penitentiary, and the larceny charge was noile pressed. Chalmers is alleged to have made an assault upon R. L. McNew on October 23, 1913, and nthe same date to have stolen two pigs belong ing to McNew.
 The case of the w. T. Rawleigh Medical Co. vs. H. H. Curedon as principal and w. H. Duncan, E. w Rogers and w. R. Sturgiss as sure ties, went to jury early in the after noon. The plaintiff is suing on ac. count for over $500 alleged to be due by the defendant.
 Other proceedings Wednesday aft lernoon and Thursday morning fol low:
 R. T. Benton vs. J. S. Henry; con tinued.
 1. N. Fields vs. NJ. B. Linn; dis missed at plaintiffs cost
 Jos. M Hardcastle vs. St. L., I. M & S. Ky. Co.,; non-suit and dismissed without prejudice.
 B. E. Lacey vs. Wake Winning ham and W. B. Loyd; dismissed a cost of defendants
 s. D. Reeves vs T. L. Daniel and J G. Reeves vs. same; continued.
 R. H. Scott vs. John and Saraf Harrod ;dismissed for want of prose cution.
 Robert Markham ex parte; disabili ties as minor removed.
 State vs. Lee Blount, assault tC kill; jury trial, not guilty.
 State vs. Frank Harris. wife anc child desertion; continued during peace of home.
 State vs. Foley May, disturbing peace; certified to Hardin township Justice of the peace \