The Mena weekly star., 1918-11-28
GETS HEAVY FINE
FOR DISLOYALTY
Gray Hairs OF Aged Mena Resident
Who Favored Germany Gave
Court News.
Him Severer Penalty

In no uncertain terms did the cir
suit court az It's closing session Sat
urday morning express its sentiments
towards disleyalty to the nation The
defendant was given the heaviest
fine possible in addition to a jail SEN
tence. His attorney withdrew from
the case aud the presiding Judge cam
TssiHseTits;Sf tire jury for its action.
Only the grey hairs Of the defendant
saved him from a more severe penal
IS.
When J i, Coffey. an aged resi-
dent Of Mena and known thruout the
city to many because Of his long
white beard. appeared in court, i
was 70 answer 3 charge OF breach Of
the peace. The technical charge did
not reveal the gravity Of the offense,
and it was not until witnesses had
been heard that the. fact became
known Coffey was in reality accused
Of most grave crime.
II transpired that during the re-
cent Liberty Loan campaign Coffey
had not only refused to buy abond,
but had publicly abused Fred G. EN-
bry, the solicitor who approached
him. As tho this was not enough
Coffey, despite the fact that he IS
beneficiary under Uncle Sans pen
sion laws to the extent Of $50 month
II, publicly expressed the wish that
Germany should win the war.
When the last Of the states wit
nesses had been heard. B. j. Stuart.
As attorney for the defendant. an
nounced his unwillingness to further
represent such a client and was COM
riimeuted by Judge Lake for his &C
ton in addition 70 receiving the vo-
ciferous approval 0f the court room.
Coffey took the stand In his own
defense. denied certain Of the charg-
Is. claimed religious scrUples led him
70 oppose war, but made such con
Trajectory mess Of hts talk that the
jury required less than a mirute 70
make up its mind.
The twelve good men and true re-
turned : verdict assessing a fine Of
$50 and sentence Of 10 days in the
county jail, 70 which place the defen-
dant was Immediately taken.
As one Of the jurors said later: III
Il wasn't for the fact he looked SO
much like Santa Claus. we'd have
sent him up for the limit"
Court AdiourRs to December
Judge Lake announced that court
would adjourn at the the close of Sat
urday's business to meet again Dec
ember s. At this time railroad cases
viii be taken up. Criminal cases will
be heard on Saturday, December Z
Judge Rebukes Gossip
Judge Lake summoned Mra Josie
Garden before him late Friday after
noon and informed her he had been
told she had made certain statements
derogatory to the court. When ques-
toned regarding the correctness of
the reports. Mrs Garden denied that
she had made the statements attrib-
uted to her. The court took no &C
ton further than to warn her no UNI
fair criticism Of the tribunal would
be permitted.
Young Attorney Compiimented
Attaches and officials Of the court
are complimenting George r. Steel,
assistant prosecuting attorney for the
district. for the clever manner in
which he has handled the criminal
docket Of the week Owing to the
illness Of Prosecuting Attorney Du-
laney the entire work Of attending to
the grand jury and the cases in court,
deyolved upon Assistant Steel. Tho
It was first time he had assumed
such responsibilities. Attorney Steel
acquitted himself in a manner that
won the praise Of members of the
bar and court officials. Mr. Steel
has been assistant prosecuting attor-
ney IN the district the past seven
years. The work this term has been
unusually heavy, 80 indictments hav-
ing been returned by the grand jury
Jack Embry Found Guilty
The jury which heard evidence in
the case Of Jack Embry, accused Ct
obstructing officers, returned q YER
dict Of guilty A fine of $50 was as
ssessed against him. The other char
ges against Embry were dismissed.
The charge Of petit larceny against
Lester and Hubert saffayss was dis
missed as to the former. Hubert
Mayes appeared in court and upon
e plea Of guilty was fined, the total
Of fine and cost amounting to $3.50
Bud Loney. indicted for receiving
stolen property. pleaded guilty, and
was given a fine Of $40. ard costs.
Three men indicted for violation
Of The cattle dipping regulations APP
peared before Judge Lake Friday af-
terneen and npon their statements
they would observe the regulations
IN future We're eaen given the lowest