Mexico weekly ledger., 1915-12-09
-GRANn u1RY DIsMIssEp;
ABOUT II INDICTMENTS


The ten days session Of the Aud
rain County Grand Jury closed late
Thursday afternoon when they we're
dismissed after returning about
twenty indictments and making a re-
port on county conditions which IN
cluded the proverbiai condemnation
Of the rancid county jail Prosecuting
Attorney A. c. Whitson and Assist
ant Attorney General Lee D. Ewing,
Of jefferson City, special prosecutor,
have been busy with the jurors inves-
ugating matters in general but espec-
tally violations Of the local option
law. This Grand Jury will take the
place Of the annual session usually
held in March each year.
The indictments are being made
public following the arrest of those
who came under the ban of the jury's
investigation.
To be exact seventeen indictments
were returned; ten for violation of the
local option laws, three for shooting
craps; two for operating cigar slot
machines; one for permitting a punch
board in store and one for disturbing
the peace.
Albert Hendrix was indicted on three
counts. The charges returned were:
~ for storing and delivering n
quart Of beer, (2) for selling one
Quart Of beer for fifty cents, and (3)
for selling two pints of beer for fifty
cents. He pleaded mot guilty" and
gave bond to appear in court.
Robert j. Kimball, a negro Of Van
dalia, pleaded guilty to three counts
for violation of the local option law
and was fined 5000.
Louis Mason was charged with VOL
alton Of the local option law. He
pleaded mot guilty. and presented
bond of $500 to appear before the
court Dec. z.
DR.. ]. A. Wren was charged with
selling a pint of whiskey. He pleaded
not guilty and presented bond of
$500 to appear December IS.
Bert Sims pleaded not guilty to the
charge Of permitting slot machines in
his shop. F. ]. Pimpell pleaded not
guilty to permitting punch boards in
his place of business.
"The Grand Jury was composed Of
splendid citizens, conscientious and
anxious to do their duty" said Gen.
eral Lee D. Ewing Assistant Attor-
ney General and special prosecutor
who was here to assist the Grand
Jury and Prosecuting Attorney in the
investigation. conditions here were
about what they are in some towns
situated as Mexico, but / believe they
will be improved in the future. We
didn't get all of the offenders nor did
get sufficient evidence to prove
any cases Of perjury. Mr.. Whitson
and the Jury gave every assist
ance possible in our efforts to ferret
cut the law breakers and bring them
to justice. The Jury returned indict-
ments in every case where it could be
done on the evidence offered. AS II
said before it is my opinion that con-
ditions here will be improved from
now on"
Grand jury Report.
To the Honorable Circuit Court Of
Audrain County:
We the Grand Jury chosen at this
term of Court beg to advise that ow-
ing to the fact that the buildings on
the new County Farm are new and in
good condition, and to the fact that it
is reported to this Grand Jury that
the Farm is in good condition and we'll
managed, we did not make any exam
nation Of same. We thought that it
would be a needless expense to do
so.
We went to the Jail and found it
in an unsanitary condition and unfit
for the habitation of prisoners.
Therefore we recommend that the said
Jail be thoroughly cleaned and dis
infected.
We further report that the various
County Officers are discharging their
duties in a commendable way, and
we find no criticism to be made upon
them.
Frazier Rose, Foreman.