The citizen., 1914-02-20
CIRCUIT COURT.

the case.
The fight for the $4,000 estate of the
late William P. M. Lawson, who died at
Urbana in 1911, was begun in the Orph
ans Court on Saturday, with the testa-
tors nephew, John w. Lawson, of Wash
ington, seeking to overthrow the will,
and The executors, McSherry Burgee and
Gabriel Burgee, also nephews of Will
liam Lawson, seeking to sustain it, Fraud
and undue influence were the grounds
upon which John w. Lawson endeavored
to set the testament aside. The Court
reserved its decision and held the case
sub curia.
Alleging that he was insane when he
signed promssory note, and did not
know what he was doing, Ezra Shank
sought to escape liability on Saturday in
suit against him by Harry Barrck, of
Rocky Ridge, to recover the proceeds of
note for SI4o. Shank signed the note
as accommodation maker, jointly with
Arthur Lippy, who gave it to Barrick in
payment for horse. Afterward Lippv
lett the State, leaving the note unpaid,
and Barrick brought suit against Shank.
The jury returned a verdict against
Shank after less than an hours delbera-
ton Frank L. Stoner and William M.
Storm represented Mr.. Barrick, and d.
Princeton Buckley appeared for Shank.
The Court on Monday, before jury,
took up the case of Harrington " "The
Cumberland News" for libel; damages
claimed $40. 900. Many of Cumberland's
most prominent citizens attended the
trial. The eminent counsel contested
prevailed.
Grand jury report
ITO the Honorable the Judges of the
Circuit Court for Frederick county, State
Of Maryland.
THE grand jury of the February term,
having completed its labors, begs leave
to submit the following report:
1--WE have been in session for thirteen
davs, considered I3o cases, during which
time we have examined 26o witnesses,
found 5S presentments and indictments,
and dismissed u cases.
1--WE find great many cases Of non
support and i'll treatment of the wife on
the part of the husband, evidently due to
the dsinclination on the part of the pub
lie generally to enforce the law which we
have, which we think is inadequate TO
remedy the evil, and would recommend
that some Legislative amendment to the
same be made.
I'VE have dismissed many trivial
cases, which have been sent up from the
various justices OF the peace, and we
heartily recommend that law should be
passed at the present term of the Legisla-
ture to give justices of the peace final
jurisdiction, with the right of either party
to appeal to the Circuit Court. This
would weed out many small cases, and
save the taxpayers large sum each
year.
1--WE find that the practice of selling
on Sunday, of cigars, tobacco, cigarettes,
near beer, cider, soft drinks in Frederick
city and the small towns of the county,
is increasing, and for the protection of
the young men and boys of our county,
who visit these places, we would request
thar the States Attorney notify all per-
sons who are violating the law to keep
closed and discontinue selling on Sunday.
''We further find an indiscrimnate sale
of near beer, sometimes known as near
beer beer, mead amberine, ETC., and sold
to minors and adults alike under the head
of soft drinks, and to which has been at
trbuted too generally many intoxica-
,ions of our youths. We would suggest
that some legislation should be passed at
our present Legislature, now in session
at Annapolis. to classify this beverage
after said Legislature has determined the
true classification of said drink
"A number of witnesses have been be-
fore the grand jury complaining about
certain insurance agents, who have al
legged that they are such agents, and after
collecting money for the same have failed
to issue policies under one pretext or the
other, but because we have been unable
to secure Witnesses from the insurance
firms, who are not residents OF the State
of Maryland, we have been unable to in
dict, but feel that the present Court has
full power to remedy the evil, as we are
informed that some of these culprits are
now under suspended sentences.
"We have visited Montevue Hospital
and find the same kept in splendid condi-
ton, its accommodations and sanitary ar
rangements are beyond criticism with the
exception OF the hallway and the office
which needs repainting. We find that
the superintendent, Mr.. Samuel u Gregg
IS very accommodating and excellent
RGntlcHldll, dud tildt uT HdS COuuuCtCQ
the hospital IN proficient and commend
able manner We annex his report as
follows: Males-White, 76; colored, "a;
white children, 8; colored children, 3;
number of tramps. 2o; total, I35. Fe-
males-White, IS; colored, IS; total, 7o;
grand total, 2I4. Insane inmates, males
White, "a; colored, S. Females
white, 69; colored, 6; total Of insane, ia.
I'VE have visited the County Jail and
find the same we'll kept. cleanlv, sanitary,
as far as the crowded accommodation
will permit We commend very highly
Sheriff John D. Conard for the proficient
and systematic manner in which he con-
ducts this institution. He realizes that
cleanliness is next to godlness, has in
stalled therein shower bath, which he
compells all prisoners to use as often as
necessary.
THE report is as follows: We find
therein the following prisoners: 10 white