The Oskaloosa herald., 1917-02-01
DISPOSITION OF VARIOUS MAT.
TIERS BY JUDGE AND JURY.

of Stella B. Rommel VS.. The National
Travellers Benefit Association occu-
pied the attention of the district
court this morning and the opening
arguments followed Taking of
testimony was begun shortly after
the noon hour and the case promises
some interesting developments. The
case comes from failure of the Ma
tional Travellers Benefit Association
to- pay an insurance policy of the
late A. e. Rommel the Mahaska
county engineer who lost his life in
the ice gorge in the Des Moines river
last February. Just what the As
sociation's defense is will be brought
out in the course of the evidence.
The case of State of Iowa VS.. w.
III. Baker being, tried on grand jury
Indictment for obtaining money un-
der false pretenses, was taken UP in
district court yesterday afternoon,
following the sentence given in the
Yates case. Evidence not appear
ing as was necessary, the case was
dismissed by County Attorney Max
we'll O'Brien.
State of Iowa VS.. Lloyd Crafty a
grand jury indictment, liquor case
came up for hearing in the district
court yesterday, and after all witness
es were heard, the case went OF the
jury about two-thirty o'clock. After
receiving instructions from Judge Sill
void, the jury left the court room at
ten minutes to three o'clock, were out
$50 o'clock with verdict of guilty
Time for pronouncing Judgment has
not yet been set.
Empannelling the Jury for the ease
of State of Iowa VS.. w. Fl. Baker was
taken up yesterday afternoon. and the
opening arguments to the jury made.
Baker was bound over from the grand
jury upon an indictment of obtaining
money under false pretenses. Testi-
money in the case was being heard
dhr:ng the day.
District court adjourned on Satur-
day afternoon until nine o'clock this
morning, the afternoon session on Sat
urday being given over to hearing
for Frank Burge, or Frank Downward;
and Joe Patrick, the two young men
who stole team of horses, top bug
gy, and pair of blankets from l. o.
Thomas several days ago. They went
to Des Moines where they disposed of
the horses, etc, and proceeded to have
a rousing good time on their spoils.
They were apprehended upon their
and his deputy Eph Allender, and TAX
en- before court. Burge had a suspend
ed sentence by Judge Wilcockson
hanging over him from an indictment
a few months ago when he stole
about thirty dollars from Mr.. Thomas.
The sentence at that time was five
years at Anamosa, and still remains
the same. He will not begin that five
year sentence, and an additional one
was given by Judge Silwold on Satur-
day, whereby he will begin five years
service at Fit. Madison just as soon as
the five years at Anamosa are COM
pleted.
Joe Patrick received five years at
Anamosa for his part of the affair.
Frank Burge was again taken before
Judge Silwold this morning and given
a hearing on charge of uttering
forged instruments. Judge Silwold
did not hesitate upon the sentence
which he imposed upon this court,
giving him fifteen years at hard la
Dor at FIT. Madison. The fifteen year
sentence is to begin at the expiration
of the five years sentence at FIT. Madi-
son which follows the five years SEN
tence at Anamosa. Making Mr.. Burge
a twenty-five years sentence on the
three different counts.
Roy Yates, who was found guilty
of the crime of sodomy, was SEN
fenced by Judge Silwold this after
noon to ten years Imprisonment at
Fort Madison penitentiary, and to
pay the costs of the trial.
Lloyd Crafty was taken up before
Judge Silwold Yesterday afternoon,
and given a brief hearing upon a
iuiSuhSS ShdhSC. Ouu5S Sh"oio
pronounced judgment, giving him q
fine of $1,000. Bond on appeal was
fixed at one thousand dollars also.
This is the largest fine imposed for
liquor cases in several months.
The Rommel case is still occupying
the attention of the court, taking of
testimony being the part of the eyi-
dence at the present time. The case
will no doubt continue through the
entire day, and perhaps part of to-
morrow.
District court was held up about
half an hour yesterday aTternoon.
something which is almost unheard
OF in court proceedings. 4 young
gentleman, Mr.. J. l.. Byrum, of Chill
licothe, and his fiancee, Miss Laura
Daugherty of Ottumwa, walked in
to the clerks office yesterday after
noon, secured marriage license, and
asked that Judge Silwold might per-
form the marriage ceremany. Court
was in session but the ever obliging
Judge did not hesitate to ask that
they wait few moments while he
performed duty. Taking the blush