The Mount Holly news., 1918-03-12
Busy Day at Court

DuSy LAY al OOuTt
AT the weekly session of court, OF
Thursday, Judge Lippincott made an
nouncement of the death of Hon. Johr
q. Horner, former judge of the court o
| Common Pleas of this county, and ap
pointed Samuel A. Atkinson, JOSEPH
H. Gaskill and Samuel X. Robbins tc
lprepare resolutions of regret, on behalf
OF the Bar Association, and present
them at later date.
A number of matters in the Orphans
Court were heard.
The final account in the estate oi
Charles English, deceased, late oil
Beverly, was allowed. The total value
of the estate was $4,000. The final
accounts in the estates of Amanda En-
gard and Amanda M. Pancoast also
were allowed and approved, The value
of the latter estate was $71, ,691.12.
Considerable time was given to an
examination Of the accounts relating
to the guardianship and trusteeship
created years ago for Reading Wood,
lunatic. William b. Wills, deceased,
was both guardian and trustee for
Wood since about 1895.
1t was shown that Wills was quite
! careless in keeping the accounts in
these trusts, and that he mingled prin-
cipal and income therefrom with his
personal funds. A complete list of the
securities in the guardianship trust
never had been filed, so it had been
difficult to determine its exact amount.
An accounting never had been render
ed in either matter.
The Burlington County Trust Com
pany, executor for Wills, has exerted
unusual efforts to determine the exact
status of both of the trusts By care
full, diligent search for and examina-
ton of books, check stubs, miscel-
laneous memorandum papers, etc.,
found at Wills Office and residence,
an intelligent statement of the princi-
pal in each trust was compiled. All
persons interested were notified to be
present to offer exceptions to the
schedules if any objections we're to be
made.
After Wills death the Mount Holly
Sale Deposit and Trust Company was
appointed guardian and trustee for
Wood. About six months after Wills
death, Wood died, and there now is to
be distribution of both trusts.
At the hearing on Thursday George
B. Evans represent the executor;
Samuel A. Atkinson appeared for the
Mount Holly Trust Company, and
George M. Hillman represented some
of the heirs and creditors of Wills.
The items of principal and income
were gone over by the court and coun-
sci, and an agreement reached in both
accounts. 1t also was agreed that five
per cent interest should be charged
against Wills for all items of principal
that had been disposed OF and not re-
invested, and that no commissions
should be allowed to him.
1t was decided that the guardianship
amounts to $11, ,451.46; the trustee
ship, $40, O,3OO45.
The details of the amounts of inter
est due, now are to be figured, and
complete statement of both accounts
is to be presented at future session
of court.
Several criminals cases we're disposed
of.
James Lester, colored, sent to Jail for
breaking and entering tool house,
was discharged on motion of Prosecut-
or Kelsey. 1t had been ascertained
that the man went into the house
merely to gain place Of shelter on a
cold and stormy night, and that there
was no criminal intention connected
with the act.
Judge Lippincott granted motion
for review of the conviction by
justice of the peace of Jerome Horton,
a charge of disorderly conduct. The
defendant is now in jail. The case
will be heard next Thursday.
Joseph j. Benda, soldier at Camp
Dix, who pleaded guilty to stealing
fountain pen, camera, etc., from COM
rades, was brought into court for SEN
tence. This case had been laid over
from the previous Thursday for inves-
tigation.
Benda had stated that he was Is
years of age and had enlisted in the
army by representing that he was IS
years old,
The lads father was present and cor
roborated the statement as to the boys
age The parent also stated that the
son never before had been arrested or
given any trouble.
Investigations made by Detective
Parker gave the boy good character.
| The court suspended sentence, placed
the lad on probation, and imposed
costs amounting to S34.4S. Young
Benda then accompanied his father to
their home in Baltimore, ending his
military career for the present.
A school truancy case was presented
against Margaret Muse, colored, ol
Mount Holly. The testimony oi
Samuel K. Gaskill, truant officer, and
Miss Julia E. Williams, teacher, show
ed that Mrs. MUSES. son had been alb
sent from school for about month, in
spite of the fact that she had beer
notified to send the boy regularly
The court imposed fine Of $5.